MONGOLIA

 

 
Ulaanbaatar
Suburbs
Museums
Hotels
Naadam festival
Tour
Suburbs of Ulaanbaatar

SUBURBS OF ULAANBAATAR
Kharkhorin (Karakorum)

Karakorum was the capital of vast Mongolian Empire built by Genghis Khan in 1220. His son, Ogedai Khan completed building after Genghis' death. Karakorum had been serving as the capital for 40 years only before Kublai Khan moved it to Beijing. Karakorum was abandoned and then later destroyed by hordes of Manchurian soldiers. What was left was used in building of the Erdene Zuu Monastery in the 16th century that was greatly destroyed during the Stalinist purges. The modern Kharkhorin was built on the same spot. 

Erdene Zuu (Hundred Treasures) was the first center of Lamaism in Mongolia. The monastery was started in 1586 but not entirely finished until 300 years later. It has between 60 and 100 temples, about 300 gers set up inside the walls and, at its height, up to 1000 monks in residence. Like Karakorum, the monastery was abandoned and then vandalized by invading Manchurians. Some temples were destroyed and unknown number of monks was killed during the Stalinist purges. The monastery remained closed until 1965 when it was permitted to reopen as a museum, but not as a place of worship. Only the collapse of communism made the monastery be active again. 

Today it retains much of its former glory. Enclosed in an immense walled compound, the 3 temples within are dedicated to the 3 stages of Buddha's life: as a child, adolescent and adult. The main, central temple is called the Zuu of Buddha and has statues of Buddha as a child. Outside the monastery walls are 2 'turtle rocks'. Four of these once marked the boundaries of ancient Karakorum. There is the phallic rock hidden in a small valley among the hills overlooking the monastery, about 30 minutes away on foot. According to local tradition, all women who visit the rock must have sex within 24 hours. 

Kharkhorin is 370km (230mi) south-west of Ulaanbaatar. Between July and September there are flights between the cities several times a week. Year-round, buses make the 7-8 hour trip just as often.

Rambler's Top100 Rambler's
Top100
© 2002-2020 Miracle Travel Co.,Ltd..  All Rights Reserved.