Kharkhorin, Mongolia: travel guide
The old Mongol Empire capital, with Erdene Zuu monastery on the steppe
Site of Karakorum, the 13th-century capital of the Mongol Empire founded by Chinggis Khaan, on the Orkhon River. Home to Erdene Zuu, Mongolia's oldest surviving Buddhist monastery, and the Orkhon Valley UNESCO World Heritage cultural landscape.
About Kharkhorin
Kharkhorin is a small town on the Orkhon River in central Mongolia, close to the site of Karakorum, the capital of the Mongol Empire in the thirteenth century. Little of the ancient city survives above ground, but the landscape is open, grassy and full of history.
The main sight is Erdene Zuu Monastery, surrounded by a wall studded with stupas, and one of the oldest Buddhist monasteries in Mongolia. A stone turtle on the nearby plain once marked the edge of the old city. The Orkhon Valley, with its waterfall, ger camps and horse riding, lies a short drive away.
Kharkhorin suits history lovers and those on a central Mongolia circuit. Summer is the best time, with green pastures and warm days.
- Country
- Mongolia
- Currency
- MNT
- Time zone
- Asia/Ulaanbaatar
Last updated
Top places to visit in Kharkhorin
Erdene Zuu Monastery
monastery · 4.7 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
Mongolia's oldest surviving Buddhist monastery, built in 1585 on the ruins of the imperial capital Karakorum. Its vast walled compound is ringed by 108 stupas and contains beautifully preserved 16th–17th-century temples.
Orkhon Waterfall (Ulaan Tsutgalan)
nature · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A ~20 m waterfall on the Orkhon River formed by ancient volcanic activity and earthquakes, set in the basalt gorges of the Orkhon Valley UNESCO landscape. A popular horse-trekking and camping destination.
Kharkhorin Museum
history · 4.4 rating · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate
A modern museum documenting the history of Karakorum, the 13th-century Mongol Empire capital, with excavated artefacts, a city scale-model and finds from the Orkhon Valley.
Tövkhön Monastery
monastery · 4.7 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
A small 17th-century hermitage perched on a forested mountain at ~2,300 m, founded by the artist-saint Zanabazar as his meditation retreat. Reached by a steep hike with sweeping Khangai views.
Karakorum Stone Turtle
monument · 4.2 rating · about 0.3 h · check the fee at the gate
One of the carved stone tortoises that once marked the corners of the ancient imperial capital of Karakorum — a quiet, evocative relic of the Mongol Empire set in open grassland.
Things to do
- Erdene Zuu & Karakorum Guided Tour Cultural · 6 h · from MNT 120,000 per person
Day trips and tours
- Kharkhorin & Orkhon Valley Day Tour 9 h · from MNT 120,000
Where to stay in Kharkhorin
- Kharkhorin Town about MNT 90,000 per night
The small town beside Erdene Zuu, with simple hotels, guesthouses and ger camps — the practical base for the Orkhon Valley.
Hotels
- Gaya's Guesthouse & Ger Camp 2-star · MNT 45,000 to MNT 110,000 per night
- Munkh Tenger Hotel 3-star · MNT 90,000 to MNT 180,000 per night
Where to eat
- Khangai Restaurant Mongolian, International · about MNT 18,000 per person
- Erdene Zuu Guest Café Mongolian, Cafe · about MNT 12,000 per person
Getting to Kharkhorin
Nearest airport: Ulan Bator (ULN), about 305 km away in a straight line. The road or rail journey is longer.
Getting around
- Offroad Vehicle
- Walking
More in Mongolia
Frequently asked questions about Kharkhorin
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Kharkhorin?
- The highest-rated places in our Kharkhorin guide are Erdene Zuu Monastery, Tövkhön Monastery, Orkhon Waterfall (Ulaan Tsutgalan), Kharkhorin Museum, Karakorum Stone Turtle.
- Where should I stay in Kharkhorin?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Kharkhorin: Kharkhorin Town.
- How do I get around Kharkhorin?
- Ways to get around Kharkhorin covered in our guide: Off-road vehicle, Walking.