ANCIENT CAPITAL AND ERDENEZUU MONASTERY ADVENTURES TO DIFFERENT TERRAIN AND CULTURES

What are the places that make the link between your main journey and your departure site? It is commonly called the “En Route Destinations” to name the locations that help you to get closer to the dreams and highlights of your journeys. These chosen spots have also their fair share of interesting stories to learn about, as well as magical sights to see. From the ancient capital of the Mongolian Empire to the Western town of Uliastai, you will be transported into a deeper understanding of what the Mongolian culture and identity really are. A necessary stop for some of the tours we offer, so to have a rest, refill, or simply admire the view and for a more complete “picture” of a very rich country.

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OVERVIEW

Located in central Mongolia. Destinations you can see while traveling to the West. Some feature great highlights that are possible to visit for a short stop, such as rocky formations, canyons, monasteries etc..

From Ulaanbaatar city / 360km, north-west

CLICK HERE TO ENJOY THE DESTINTATION GALLERY!

What are the places that make the link between your main journey and your departure site? It is commonly called the “En Route Destinations” to name the locations that help you to get closer to the dreams and highlights of your journeys.

ANCIENT CAPITAL AND ERDENEZUU MONASTERY ADVENTURES TO DIFFERENT TERRAIN AND CULTURES

These chosen spots have also their fair share of interesting stories to learn about, as well as magical sights to see. From the ancient capital of the Mongolian Empire to the Western town of Uliastai, you will be transported into a deeper understanding of what the Mongolian culture and identity really are. A necessary stop for some of the tours we offer, so to have a rest, refill, or simply admire the view and for a more complete “picture” of a very rich country.
_________
OVERVIEW

Located in central Mongolia. Destinations you can see while traveling to the West. Some feature great highlights that are possible to visit for a short stop, such as rocky formations, canyons, monasteries etc..

From Ulaanbaatar city / 360km, north-west

CLICK HERE TO ENJOY THE DESTINATION GALLERY!

1st landing place: ERDENEZUU MONASTERY
Local name: Erdenezuu Hiid

1st landing place: ERDENEZUU MONASTERY
Local name: Erdenezuu Hiid

To go along our discovery of the ancient capital city, it is our pleasure to introduce one of earliest and most beautiful Monastery of the country: the Erdene Zuu Monastery. Located very close to the new Kharkhorin city, it belongs to the Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape’s World Heritage. 
The history of the Monastery grew parallel to the one of the Mongol Empire, when Abtai Sain Khan - then the ruler of the Empire of the Mongols, ordered the construction of the temples in 1585. He was religious and well respected ruler, and grandfather of the first spiritual leader of country. The order came after his meeting with the 3rd Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Buddhism, declared at the same time religion of the State of Mongolia.

The ruins of the ancient capital were used to build the temples, and it was decided to raise a wall connecting 108 stupas surrounding the monastery complex, a construction that resembles the Tibetan Buddhist rosary. Just like the story of Kharkhorin, the Monastery had a very tumultuous history. It was notably destroyed during the war between the Dzungars and Khalkh ethnic groups in 1688. And even the remaining wooden fortifications were dismantled by the local people. At the height of its activity, the Monastery housed up to 10,000 lamas by 1872 after being rebuilt. There 62 temples were erected. Alas, the early 20th century seen another catastrophe for the Monastery, with the purge conducted by the Soviet power, destroying almost all the great complex, leaving only 3 small temples up and the stupas wall surrounding them. Most of the monks there we either executed, forced into labor or to deny religious practice. Those 3 temples were spared only following order of Joseph Stalin into keeping somewhat of a “freedom of religion” in Mongolia, an attempt to show the world and the U.S Vice President Henry Wallace the greatness of the Communist regime, when visiting Mongolia in 1944. Then 3 years later and up to the 1990ies, the remaining temples were converted into museums.

The Monastery therefore was no more in activity. Only The Gandantegchinlen Khiid Monastery in Center Ulaanbaatar capital city remained the only Monastery functioning in whole Mongolia. Since 1990 with the fall of Communism, the Monastery was given back to the Lamas and has been progressively rebuilt. It is now again a place of worship and a museum. Today, absolutely incredible Buddhist art is visible inside in site. The rich cultural history that existed for over 400 years is displayed the most beautiful way. It is possible to see iconic tankas, appliques, the precious sculptures of diverse Buddha's, ancient Buddhist wall paintings, and religious instruments. The living Buddhist tradition is here more alive than ever, with daily chanting of the Lamas at the Lavrin Temple. We can witness the rituals and almost all of the complex is a wonderful opportunity for a beautiful photo, being among the old and the new History. There is always a deep feeling and connection with this place, an almost indescribable emotional state that bring both joy, and respect.

2nd landing place: KHARKHORIN, THE ANCIENT CAPITAL
Local name: Kharkhorin City

2nd landing place: KHARKHORIN, THE ANCIENT CAPITAL
Local name: Kharkhorin City

As they are located at the core of any trip to a foreign territory, the cultural and historical sites play some of the major roles in understanding the past and today’s unique cultures of the world. In our approach to your adventure to Mongolia, we are constantly reminded of the glorious days and the conquests of those who created the largest Empire of the known world, surrounding the 13th century AD. One of those major places we chose to visit during our stay is the city known today as Kharkhorin or “Karakorum”, the ancient Capital of the Mongolian Empire. Despite known as the official Mongolian empire’s Capital city, it only was used that way for 32 years. The city itself is older than that, and already existed for about 140 years prior to that time. 

On our visit of Kharkhorin’s Museum, we can see and walk above a glass floor allowing us to see the layers of the ancient city. It conveys a very strange feeling or historical value and emotional charge when we can walk among a masterpiece of History, the center of the largest Empire of the world, and the theater of such beautiful achievements and craftsmanship for the time.

KHARKHORIN DESTINATION GALLERY

Photos by Enguerran Zandonai

KHARKHORIN DESTINATION GALLERY
Photos by Enguerran Zandonai

Between great history, amazing landscapes, and the religious roots of the country, Kharkhorin destination is a must to explore especially at the beginning of any journey. But there is more to discover, with the rich Mongolian traditions.