Karakorum & Erdene Zuu Travel Guide: Genghis Khan's Capital & Orkhon Valley
Karakorum (modern Kharkhorin) is the ancient capital of Genghis Khan's Mongol Empire — the 13th-century base from which Mongol armies ruled the largest contiguous empire in human history. Today the site is a UNESCO-protected steppe landscape: the magnificent Erdene Zuu Monastery (Mongolia's oldest surviving Buddhist monastery, built in 1585 from the ruins of Karakorum), the spectacular Orkhon Valley with its 24m Ulaan Tsutgalan waterfall, and a still-vibrant nomadic culture make Kharkhorin the country's most important historical site after the Gobi.
Explore Tweet World Travel Mongolia Small Group Tour or contact Tweet World Travel for a tailor-made travel experience.
History & Cultural Influence
Karakorum was founded in 1220 by Genghis Khan as the capital of the rising Mongol Empire. By the 1260s under his grandson Kublai Khan (who later moved the capital to Beijing), Karakorum was a multicultural city with Buddhist, Nestorian Christian, Muslim and Taoist communities, foreign embassies and the legendary Silver Tree fountain that dispensed four drinks (mare's milk, wine, mead, beer) on command. The Yuan dynasty's move of the capital to Beijing in 1267 began Karakorum's decline; the Ming-Chinese armies destroyed it in 1380.
Erdene Zuu Monastery was built in 1585 by Avtai Khan from the ruined stones of Karakorum, becoming Mongolia's first major Tibetan Buddhist monastery. At its peak it had 1,500 monks and 100 temples. The 1937 Soviet purges destroyed 95% of the monastery; only 3 of the original 100 temples and the famous 108-stupa enclosing wall survived. UNESCO inscribed the surrounding Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape as a World Heritage Site in 2004, recognising its 2,000+ years of nomadic Mongolian heritage. The Karakorum Museum (opened 2011) houses the country's best Mongol-Empire archaeological collection.
Quick facts:
UNESCO status: Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape, inscribed 2004
Distance from Ulaanbaatar: 380 km — 6 hours by road
Historical capital: Mongol Empire 1220–1267 CE
Erdene Zuu founded: 1585 CE — Mongolia's oldest surviving Buddhist monastery
Best for: Mongol-Empire history, Buddhist heritage, Orkhon Valley nomads, ger-camp base for central Mongolia
Top Attractions
Erdene Zuu Monastery — Mongolia's oldest Buddhist monastery; 108-stupa enclosing wall; the 3 surviving temples are open as museums.
Karakorum Museum — Mongolia's best Mongol-Empire archaeological collection; the famous Yuan-dynasty bronze hoards.
Tovkhon Monastery — 85 km south; a remote forest-mountain monastery founded in 1648 by Zanabazar.
Ulaan Tsutgalan (Orkhon Waterfall) — a 24m volcanic-rock waterfall in the Orkhon Valley; the most photographed waterfall in Mongolia.
Naiman Nuur (Eight Lakes) — a remote highland-lakes area; multi-day horse-trekking destination.
Khustai National Park — 100 km east; home of reintroduced wild Przewalski horses (the last truly wild horse species).
Mongol Empire archaeological site — the open-air ruins of Karakorum itself; some original stones survive.
Must-Try Dishes
Khorkhog — mutton cooked with hot stones in a sealed pot; the classic Orkhon Valley nomadic meal.
Buuz — steamed mutton dumplings.
Boodog — goat cooked inside its own skin with hot stones; the ultimate Mongolian ceremonial meal.
Airag — fermented mare's milk; mildly alcoholic and a Mongolian summer staple.
Suutei tsai — salty milk tea; the Mongolian welcome drink.
Festivals & Local Celebrations
Naadam — 11–13 July: celebrated locally in Karakorum with horse racing across the steppe.
Erdene Zuu Buddhist Festivals — varies: major Tibetan Buddhist festivals are still observed at the monastery.
Tsagaan Sar (Lunar New Year) — January/February: family-focused; visit a nomadic camp for the most traditional experience.
Orkhon Cultural Festival — June: celebrates the UNESCO valley with traditional music and crafts.
Mongol Identity Festival — July: celebrates pre-Genghis-Khan Mongolian heritage.
What to Do
Visit Erdene Zuu Monastery in the morning for the most atmospheric prayer.
Tour the Karakorum Museum for Mongol Empire archaeology context.
Day-trip to Ulaan Tsutgalan (Orkhon) waterfall.
Spend 1–2 nights at a nomadic ger camp for horse-riding and traditional food.
Hike to Tovkhon Monastery on a remote mountain ridge.
Visit Khustai National Park on the drive between UB and Karakorum for wild horses.
Shopping
Erdene Zuu monastery shop — Buddhist prayer beads, thangkas, butter lamps.
Karakorum Museum shop — Mongol-Empire-themed books and replica artifacts.
Kharkhorin local cooperatives — felt slippers, woven camel-hair scarves, nomadic crafts.
Mongolian cashmere shops — visit en route between UB and Karakorum.
Weather: Best Time to Visit
June–August (Best): warm 18–25°C; lush green steppe; Naadam festival.
September: cooler, golden steppe; quieter and beautiful.
October–May: extremely cold; January −25°C; not practical for visitors.
Optimal: mid-July to early September for the perfect steppe-and-monastery experience.
Cultural Etiquette
Walk clockwise inside Erdene Zuu temple buildings.
Cover shoulders and knees inside the monastery; remove hats.
Don't photograph monks during ceremonies without permission.
In nomadic gers, accept the hot tea and dried curd offered.
Tip your driver-guide USD 15–20/day on multi-day Karakorum trips.
Essential Travel Information
Getting there: Most travellers drive from UB (6 hours each way) as part of a multi-day Mongolian tour. Some tours fly into Kharkhorin's small regional airport.
Tour logistics: Karakorum is best visited as a 2- or 3-night stop on a 7- to 10-day central Mongolia tour.
Money: Limited ATMs in Kharkhorin town. Bring cash from Ulaanbaatar.
Connectivity: 4G works at most ger camps and in Kharkhorin town.
Accommodation: Most travellers stay at one of the 4–5 ger camps in the Orkhon Valley.
Where to Stay
Boutique ger camps — Kharkhorin Hotel, Munkh Tenger Hotel, Anar Tour Camp.
Authentic ger camps — Orkhon Valley nomadic-family ger stays (1–2 nights, USD 30–60).
Mid-range — Khangai Mountains tour-operator camps; many include horse-riding.
Best base: Orkhon Valley ger camps offer the best combination of monastery access and nomadic-culture immersion.
Explore Tweet World Travel Mongolia Small Group Tour or contact Tweet World Travel for a tailor-made travel experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Helpful answers for travellers planning a Karakorum stop on a Mongolia tour.
How many days should I spend at Karakorum?
Two to three nights — one for Erdene Zuu Monastery and the Karakorum Museum; one for Ulaan Tsutgalan waterfall; an optional day for Tovkhon Monastery or wild-horse safari at Khustai.
Are there any actual Karakorum ruins to see?
Limited — Karakorum was destroyed in 1380 and most stones were used to build Erdene Zuu. A small archaeological site is open; the Karakorum Museum displays the major finds.
When is the best time to visit?
Mid-July to early September for the best weather. July for Naadam Festival in Kharkhorin.
Should I take horse-riding in the Orkhon Valley?
Yes — Mongolian horse riding is one of the country's great experiences. The valley is gentle steppe; perfect for beginner riders.
Can I combine Karakorum with the Gobi?
Yes — the classic 10-day Mongolia tour is 3 nights UB + 3 nights Karakorum + 4 nights Gobi.
Our Best-Selling Tours
Follow Us
