Orkhon Valley is one of the most historical sites in Mongolia, and it is considered the birthplace of the Mongol Empire in the centre of Mongolia.
Located along the Orkhon River valley, the territory was home to several great nomadic empires, such as Xiongnu, the Turkic Khaganate, and, of course, the Mongol Empire, ruled by Genghis Khan. The valley’s history is closely connected with the appearance of the nomadic people and their importance for the development of the Eurasian area. Until the twelfth century, the Orkhon Valley was an important center for trade, commerce, and cultural interchange between nomad’s and the agriculture and urban civilization of China and Europe.
This makes this region have many archaeological sites as a proof of its past significance. Still, preservation of this site is vital for further research as the valley presents the ruins of Karakorum, the first capital of the biggest empire in the history of the world—the Mongol Empire.
That was the city of Karakorum, which was founded by Genghis Khan and further developed by his successor, Ögedei Khan This was a thriving city that was a meeting place for merchants diplomats and scholars from across the world. Unfortunately, the Ming Dynasty would eventually conquer the city and its ruins are still quite informative on the expansion of the Mongols as an empire. Erdene Zuu Monastery, built at the end of the 16th century from stones of the ruins of Karakorum, is one of the oldest buddhist monasteries in Mongolia and it is one of the main cultural sites.
Numerous travelers attracted to the Orkhon Valley can parallel their archeological interests with the ancient Mongolian structures as they take in the scenic, breathtaking setting of landscapes of Mongolia’s terrain. It is also a home to a World Heritage Site, which gives it historical and cultural importance. The nomadic tradition remains to this day evident in the area, and guests can even spend nights tentatively being herders in this type of accommodation.
The scenery of the valley is covered with steppe, herds of horses and yaks for hiking, horseback riding, and cultural tourism. The Orkhon Valley is one of the few places that guarantees an active and extraordinary journey deep into the mongolian historical roots.
Mark