Kharakhorum

Kharakhorum former capital of Chinggis Khan, was founded 1220 in the Orkhon valley, center of the empire for more then 140 years, destroyed in 1391 by Chinese troups. Only two turtles of granite can be seen nowadays. The first Buddhist monastery in Mongolia, Erdene Zuu, was founded on the ruins of the old capital in the year 1586. It is surrounded by a quadratic wall (420m long on each side) with 108 stupas. In 1792, it housed 62 temples and 10.000 lamas. During communist area nearly destroyed, it contains today 3 temples, one stupa and some smaller buildings but became active monastery again and open for visitors. This is the place to "learn about religious and cultural traditions of Mongolia".