Karakorum

Karakorum is an archaeological site of the Mongol Empire capital in the Orkhon Valley of Övörkhangai Province. The foundations include temple complexes, administrative buildings and residential areas spread across an extensive terrain and recognizable through wall remains and stone foundations.

Ruler Ögedei Khan founded the first permanent capital of the Mongol Empire here from 1235 onwards and had a palace and fortifications built. The city lost importance after the capital moved to Beijing and was later partly destroyed.

The excavations show workshops of different craftspeople who made ceramics, metalwork and textiles by combining techniques from several cultural traditions. In the residential quarters today you can still find traces of ovens and workplaces that make daily life in the city visible.

The site lies a few kilometers from Erdene Zuu Monastery and can be explored on foot during a walking tour. A visitor center in the nearby town of Kharkhorin offers information and orientation before heading to the excavations.

Archaeologists found evidence during excavations of an underground heating system that was installed in several buildings and used smoke channels beneath the floors. Workshops also came to light where weapons, tools and jewelry were produced on a large scale.

Location: Övörkhangai Province

Inception: 1220

Elevation above the sea: 1,471 m

Part of: Orkhon Valley

GPS coordinates: 47.19753,102.82379

Latest update: December 12, 2025 21:02