Ancient capital of Mongolia
Share
It's our third day in country side and finally me and our customers arrived in ancient capital Karakorum, also known as Kharkhorin. It was the capital of the Mongol Empire under Genghis Khan's successor, Ögedei Khan, in the early 13th century. Located in the Orkhon Valley in central Mongolia, it played a significant role in Mongolian history and was an important cultural and economic center of the Mongol Empire. The city was strategically situated along the Silk Road, which helped it become a melting pot of cultures, religions, and commerce.
i have been involved with the tourism industry since 2004! Karakorum, with its rich historical significance, must indeed be a key attraction for visitors.
At its peak, Karakorum was home to artisans, traders, and diplomats from different parts of the world. It housed significant structures such as the palace of Ögedei Khan and a large silver tree that was part of a unique fountain designed by the French artisan William of Rubruck. The city was a symbol of the Mongol Empire's power and reach.
However, Karakorum's prominence declined after Kublai Khan moved the capital of the empire to what is now Beijing during the Yuan Dynasty. The city was eventually destroyed by the Ming Dynasty in the late 14th century, and today it remains an archaeological site. The nearby Erdene Zuu Monastery, built in the 16th century, was constructed using materials from the ruins of Karakorum and stands as a reminder of its past.
The area around Karakorum is now part of a UNESCO World Heritage site known as the Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape, which preserves the legacy of the Mongol Empire and earlier civilizations that flourished in this region.
We will stay two days in nice hotel heart of the city and continue our road toward our herders...
watch video