Kharkhorin is an ancient capital city of the Great Mongol Empire established by Chinggis Khaan in 1220. From here Chinggis Khaan conquered China making Kharkhorin his base and headquarters. His son and successor Ogodei Khaan continued to build the capital making it an attractive location for traders and scholars from Asia and Europe.
In the 13th century Kharkhorin was a happening city on the main Silk Road route where people from all over the world gathered to trade and to live. Many nationals such as Chinese, Tibetan, Uighur, Persians, Indians, French, German, Hungarian and Russians lived in the city. It was a welcoming city not only because of convenience of trade but also because all the religions were welcomed in the Mongol Empire. Therefore, many monasteries, churches and mosques were established.
In 1260 after taking throne of the Mongol Empire Khublai Khaan moved the capital to Khanbalikg (modern Beijing) deserting Kharkhorin.
In 1388 Kharkhorin was destroyed by Manchurians leaving only ruins of the old capital. Today one can experience ruins of Erdene Zuu monastery located close to Kharkhorim. Erdene Zuu is the oldest Buddhist monastery in Mongolia.
Kharkhorin is an ancient capital city of the Great Mongol Empire established by Chinggis Khaan in 1220. From here Chinggis Khaan conquered China making Kharkhorim his base and headquarters. His son and successor Ogodei Khaan continued to build the capital making it an attractive location for traders and scholars from Asia and Europe.
In the 13th century Kharkhorin was a happening city on the main Silk Road route where people from all over the world gathered to trade and to live. Many nationals such as Chinese, Tibetan, Uighur, Persians, Indians, French, German, Hungarian and Russians lived in the city. It was a welcoming city not only because of convenience of trade but also because all the religions were welcomed in the Mongol Empire. Therefore, many monasteries, churches and mosques were established.
In 1260 after taking throne of the Mongol Empire Khublai Khaan moved the capital to Khanbalikg (modern Beijing) deserting Kharkhorin.
In 1388 Kharkhorin was destroyed by Manchurians leaving only ruins of the old capital. Today one can experience ruins of Erdene Zuu monastery located close to Kharkhorin. Erdene Zuu is the oldest Buddhist monastery in Mongolia.
Erdenezuu Monastery
The Erdenezuu monastery is the oldest and biggest Buddhist monastery in Mongolia. It has surrounding wall with 108 stupas. This monastery has overcome many historical challenges which left the monastery with 20 temples from initial 60. In 1930 during the repression all the monasteries were destroyed in Mongolia including Erdene Zuu. West of the Erdene Zuu monastery Bat-Erdenezuu monastery was established and is a working monastery to this day.
