Asia / Mongolia
Places to go. A little room to wander.
THE SHORTLIST
Erdenezuu Road 1-17A
Art center specialized in creating and preserving traditional Mongolia script calligraphy. Exhibition halls are placed inside various ger.
Allow about 90 minutes · planning estimate
Kharkhorin
This monastery was built in the 1500s, but has been destroyed several times.
Allow about 90 minutes · planning estimate
Kharkhorin
The capital is located on the north side of the Erdene Zuu Monastery. Go to the northwest corner of the Monastery, enter the fenced compound, used to be a sign here stating that the UN had paid for the fence. About 100 m north you will come to some small fenced areas and a stone turtle, one of two inside the city fence. Between the turtle and the stupa is the remains of Ogodei Xaan's palace. A German and Mongolian team has been excavating here. The other stone turtle is in the SE corner.
Allow about 90 minutes · planning estimate
Regional outing · 29 km from Kharkhorin (straight line)
Anyone who's interested in steppe history and/or the history of the Turkic peoples should visit Khar Balgas, the ancient capital of the Uighur Khaganate. Across the river a short distance are the Orkhon inscriptions, which contain the earliest recorded Turkic writing.
Allow about 90 minutes · planning estimate
Regional outing · 54 km from Kharkhorin (straight line)
Continue up the valley until you see the many blue cloths turn up the hill on the SW side. The upper part of the road is in poor condition. Alternately, from the Orhon Waterfall, go NE along the river until you come to the bridge at N46 48.503 E102 1.668 follow the river on the west side to the turn mentioned above. Great view from the top.
Allow about 90 minutes · planning estimate
A note before you go. Treat Xar Bulgas as a separate regional outing from Kharkhorin. Arrange the outward and return journey before adding another visit on that day. The suggested days are an editable grouping, not a timed tour. Visit allowances exclude transfers, meals and queues; confirm the exact entrance and current visiting arrangements for Tövkhön Monastery before setting off.
Reference material retrieved 2026-10-19. Suggested days and time allowances are editorial starting points. Check the linked visitor information for opening hours, access, and reservations.
BEFORE YOU SET OFF
Mongolian Calligraphy and Art Center and Erdene Zuu Monastery are about 0.6 km apart in a straight line. Use the route link to compare the actual streets or transport connections before putting both in the same morning; the measurement is not a walking distance or a transfer estimate.
A LITTLE STRUCTURE. ROOM FOR DISCOVERY.
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This city guide includes selected, abridged material by Wikivoyage contributors, adapted under CC BY-SA 4.0. The adapted guide text is available under the same license; photographs and website design retain their separate terms. Selected and abridged reference descriptions; operational prices and timetables omitted. Elsewhere added the shortlist, geographic grouping and planning notes.
Reference material retrieved 2026-10-19. It is community-edited background, not firsthand reporting or a live opening-hours service.
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