Karakorum

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The symbolic ruins of Karakorum, the ancient capital city of Mongolia is one of the most popular travel destinations along with Erdenezuu Monastery, the second largest Buddhist monastery in the country. Karakorum city was established in 1220 and served as the capital city of Mongolia for 140 years. In 2005 the Government of Mongolia initiated the Karakorum Model City project with a view of moving the capital city of Mongolia from Ulaanbaatar back to Karakorum in the future.

Erdenezuu Monastery
The first Buddhist monastery, Erdenezuu, was built on the ruins of Karakorum in 1586 by order of Abtai Sain Khan, a distant but powerful relative of Genghis Khaan. Stone monuments, bricks and many other building materials from the ruins of Karakorum were used in the construction of the monastery.
The monastery occupied an area of 1.600 sq. meters, which is exactly 10 times smaller than the original city area and is surrounded by a stone wall with 108 stupas and four gates at all sides. The Erdenezuu monastery preserves works of the Mongolian artisans, painters, sculptors, embroiders, and craftsmen of 17-19th centuries.

Orkhon Waterfall
Waterfall from a height of 20 meters at Orkhon Waterfall, which is locally known as Ulaan Tsutgalan. The width of the stream at point where it forms the spectacular waterfall is 10 meters. The road to the waterfall is not easily accessible, owing to rocky surface of the area along the bank of Orkhon river. By jeep, it normally takes over three hours to get to the fall from Karakorum, which is 85 km away.

Hujirt Hot SPA
Hujirt hot spa, located 90 km to the south of Karakorum has served as a health resort for several decades. The hot spring, lying at an elevation of 1.750 meters has number of mineral components, such as, bicarbonate, carbonate, sodium and sulphuretted hydrogen and its water is used for treating nervous and cardiovascular diseases and back pain. The temperature of the spring water is +55C.

Ruins of Har Balgas
The ruins of Har Balgas (Black City) stands on the east bank of the Orkhon river 50 km to the north of Karakorum. Har Balgas was the capital city of the ancient State Uigur, a tribe that dominated Mongolia during the 9th century AD. The Uigur State gained power over other competing clans after the collapse of the Turkic state, and built its capital city-Har Balgas in 751 AD. Large brick wall fortress with two gates: one in north and the other in south, and a water canal surrounded the city that covered 5 hectares.

Hushuu Tsaidam Monuments
A monument with ancient inscription was erected by Turks in Hushuu Tsaidam, about 45 km north of Karakorum, to the eats of Orkhon river. This is one of over 40 inscribed monuments of Turkic origin that is found in Mongolia. This monument, known as “Orkhon Inscriptions� by scientists and historians was dedicated to the memory of the Bilge Khan, who founded the Turkic State.
The monument is 3.3 meters high and 1.3 meter wide.