Kharkhorum Ancient Capital

Mongolia's ancient capital, Kharkhorum, Chinggis Khaan's fabled city, was founded in 1220 in Orkhon valley, at the crossroads of the Silk Road. It was land of the Mongol Empire governed, until Khubilai Khaan moved it to Beijing. On the ruin of the Kharkhorum, Mongolian first and largest Buddhist monastery was built in 1586. The most of the construction material ware taken from Kharkhorum ruin. Erdenezuu monastery is surrounded 400x400 meters of walls with 108 stupas. By the 1792, it housed 62 temples and 10,000 lamas. 1930’s is the darkest part of Erdenezuu like  other monastery in Mongolia when religion was forbidden. Fortunately, in 1960’s monastery was reopened as a museum and religious service has been reactivated since 1990.  By the time, main parts of the monastery works as a museum where exhibits Buddhist artworks and facilities, only a temple holds religious activity. Nearby, Turkish monuments and rock inscriptions erected in 8-9th centuries in memory of outstanding fighters for independence. Located 360 km away from Ulaanbaatar. Elevation is 1600 meters above sea level. The world famous place for its wonderful relics of the past.