Day 12
|Kharkhorin-Erdenezuu Monastery
After breakfast, your guide and driver will take you to Kharkhorin, the ancient Mongolian capital founded by Chingis Khan in 1220. Once a thriving political, economic, and religious center, it was destroyed in 1235 by Ming troops. The site, protected since 1961, features relics like granite turtles, palace foundations, stone lions, columns, and traces of an irrigation channel. Symbolizing longevity and protection against floods, the turtles reflect Mongolian reverence since the 8th century. The site also yielded 230 coins from various countries, highlighting its historical importance.
Destination: 120 km
Activities: Monastery,
Museum,
shopping,
hiking,
photograpphing,