Karakorum
Karakorum is known by many names and even more reputations. Once the home of the world’s most famous Khan, this ancient city quickly became one of the Silk Road’s most important and progressive convergence points.
Located in Mongolia’s heart Karakorum and its surrounding landscapes are among the best places to visit in Mongolia today.
Located just 350 kilometers (217 miles) from Ulaanbaatar, the country’s modern-day capital city, the road to Karakorum is an essential drive on any Mongolia travel itinerary not only for its beauty but for its history.
It’s this same East meets West route that was once traveled by Turks, Chinese, Uighurs, Sogdians, Hungarians, Greeks, Armenians, Alans and Georgians. By diplomats, traders, artisans and merchants all looking to trade silk, spices, tea, ivory, cotton, wool and precious metals as well as ideas.
Because of this, Karakorum quickly became a place where cultures would intertwine and learn to live in harmony with one another. Despite many of the connotations about Genghis Khan and his empire many of us hold today Karakorum was a city built on understanding and acceptance.
It was a place where different religious practices were accepted, with at least 12 different pagan temples, two mosques, a church and at least one Buddhist temple located inside the city’s walls.
The city’s glory was, however, short lived. Kublai Khan eventually moved the empire’s capital to Beijing only 50 years after development first began. With harsh temperatures and a vulnerability to attacks, the city’s inhabitants didn’t stay around for long after that and Karakorum quickly turned into a pile of rubble.
The Karakorum we see today may be nothing like it was in the days of the Great Khan, but with a recent vow from the president of Mongolia to revitalize this culturally significant city in the coming years, there’s a brighter future on the horizon.
Back in 1585 when Karakorum was abandoned and falling into ruin, the city’s salvation came in the form of a Buddhist monastery commissioned by the then Khalkha-Mongolian prince.
It was the prince’s meeting with the third Dalai Lama and his declaration of Tibetan Buddhism as the state religion of Mongolia that would make Erdene Zuu Monastery the first Buddhist monastery in Mongolia.
During the Soviet purges of the 1930s, Stalin himself saved a few of the main temples from being destroyed calling them symbols of religious freedom. The monastery complex was eventually converted into a museum.
After the fall of the Soviet Union, the monastery again became active, but nothing like its former days. At its peak, the monastery was home to more than 100 temples, around 300 yurts and 1,000 monks in residence.
Today, Erdene Zuu Monastery is one of Mongolia’s most sacred Buddhist temples with Buddhist-practicing Mongols vowing to visit the complex at least once in their lives.
The Laviran Temple at the back of the complex is where monks can be found chanting, practicing musical instruments and providing sacred readings daily.
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Geography
Karakorum (also spelled Kharkhorin) is located in the Orkhon Valley in central Mongolia, specifically in the Uvurkhangai Province. The site sits on the northeastern slopes of the Khangai Mountains, near the Orkhon River. It is situated about 350 kilometers (217 miles) west of Ulaanbaatar, the current capital of Mongolia. The geography around Karakorum is characterized by a combination of rolling hills, mountains, and the river valley, contributing to its historical significance as a capital city. The area features the Khangai Mountains to the north and the Orkhon River flows nearby.
Climate
The climate of Karakorum is a cold semi-arid climate with cool summers, characterized by dry conditions and significant temperature variations between seasons. The region experiences long, bitterly cold winters and brief, warm summers. Karakorum has a large temperature range, with average temperatures varying from below freezing in winter to warm in summer. Precipitation is low, with most falling as rain in the summer months and snow during the winter.
People and Economy
Karakorum’s economy during the Mongol Empire was a blend of agriculture, trade, and skilled craftsmanship. It served as a major hub on the Silk Road, facilitating the exchange of goods and ideas between East and West. Local artisans produced diverse goods, while agriculture, supported by the Orkhon River, provided sustenance.
Today, the modern town of Karakorum, which is near the historical site of Karakorum, has a population of over 14,000 people. Karakorum‘s economy is primarily driven by tourism and agriculture, with water from the Orkhon River supporting irrigation for farming. The town is also experiencing revitalization efforts, including the development of a new city planned to house 500,000 people and attract significant investment, aiming to become a key economic hub.
Animal Life
Karakorum and the nearby Ugii Lake are known for birdwatching, with species like the demoiselle crane, upland buzzard, ruddy shelduck, Mongolian gull, gray heron and Eurasian magpie frequently sighted.
The surrounding areas, particularly near the South Gobi, are home to the Przewalski’s wild horse, a critically endangered species. While not specific to Karakorum, the wider region of Central Mongolia, including areas near the Orkhon River, may feature wild goats, boars, and red deer. The Gobi Desert, south of Karakorum, is known for gazelles, khulan (wild asses), and the Gobi bear.
Plant Life
Karakorum, is located in a region with diverse plant life, influenced by its steppe and forest-steppe environments. Notable plants include the Mongolian wild onion, various shrubs adapted to the steppe and plants found in the surrounding forests such as larches, birches and poplars. The area also features flowering plants like anemones, primulas and delphiniums and in higher altitudes, species like edelweiss and snow lotus can be found.
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