Karakorum: Mongolia’s ancient capital, a cultural treasure

Karakorum has held many names and earned numerous legends. Once the seat of the most renowned Khan in history, this ancient city became a pivotal and forward-thinking hub on the Silk Road.

Nestled in Mongolia’s Övörkhangai province, Karakorum and its picturesque surroundings are among the country’s must-see destinations today.

Just 350 kilometers from Ulaanbaatar, the modern capital of Mongolia, the journey to Karakorum is an essential part of any travel itinerary, not only for its scenic beauty but also for its rich historical significance.

This very route, where East met West, was once traversed by diverse peoples – Turks, Chinese, Uighurs, Sogdians, Hungarians, Greeks, Armenians, Alans, and Georgians. Diplomats, traders, artisans, and merchants alike journeyed to exchange silk, spices, tea, ivory, cotton, wool, precious metals, and ideas.

As a result, Karakorum soon became a melting pot of cultures, where people learned to coexist in harmony. Despite the often negative views we hold about Genghis Khan and his empire today, Karakorum was a city founded on understanding and tolerance.

The city was home to a rich diversity of religious practices, with at least twelve pagan temples, two mosques, a church, and a Buddhist temple, all nestled within its walls.

However, Karakorum’s golden age was brief. Just 50 years after its establishment, Kublai Khan relocated the empire's capital to Beijing. Harsh climates and the city’s vulnerability to attacks led to its swift decline, turning Karakorum into little more than ruins.

Though the Karakorum of today bears little resemblance to its former glory during the reign of the Great Khan, recent promises from Mongolia’s president to restore this culturally important city offer hope for a brighter future.

Until that vision is realized, there are still plenty of compelling reasons to visit Karakorum today.

Unraveling the mysteries of Mongolia’s past

Mongolia, with its nomadic traditions, lacks many physical remnants of its past. Even today, much of the story of the Mongols, once one of the largest and most formidable empires in history, remains shrouded in mystery and is still being uncovered.

Apart from “The Secret History of the Mongols,” few written records from the Mongol Empire, told by Mongols themselves, have survived. Ongoing archaeological discoveries around Karakorum continue to shed light on these ancient histories.

Excavations around Karakorum have uncovered paved roads, remnants of brick and adobe buildings, advanced heating systems, bed stoves, as well as traces of copper, gold, silver, iron, glass, jewels, bones, birch bark, and coins from China and Central Asia, along with ceramics and four kilns.

Many of these fascinating discoveries, and the stories they tell, are on display at the Karakorum Museum, a sleek, contemporary museum located at the heart of the city.

None of the exhibits, however, capture the imagination quite like the legend of the Silver Tree – a grand fountain that once stood at the center of the Mongol capital.

Legend has it that the Silver Tree was adorned with silver fruit, pouring a variety of alcoholic beverages, including wine, fermented mare’s milk (airag), rice wine, and honey mead, all served to Genghis Khan’s grandsons and their distinguished guests.

Though the Silver Tree itself has never been found and was likely destroyed during one of Karakorum’s raids, the story of this legendary fountain continues to fill our imaginations, much like it once filled the cups of Mongol royalty.

A Buddhist temple rises from the ashes of Karakorum

In 1585, as Karakorum fell into ruin and abandonment, the city's revival came in the form of a Buddhist monastery commissioned by the Khalkha-Mongolian prince of the time.

It was through the prince's meeting with the third Dalai Lama and his declaration of Tibetan Buddhism as Mongolia's state religion that the Erdene Zuu Monastery was founded as the first Buddhist monastery in the country.

During the Soviet purges of the 1930s, Stalin intervened to protect several key temples from destruction, calling them emblems of religious liberty. The monastery complex was later turned into a museum.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the monastery was restored to its spiritual role, though it would never return to its former grandeur. At its height, it boasted over 100 temples, 300 yurts, and housed 1,000 monks.

Today, Erdene Zuu Monastery stands as one of Mongolia’s holiest Buddhist sites, with devout Buddhists pledging to visit the complex at least once in their lifetime.

The Laviran Temple at the rear of the monastery is where monks can be seen daily, chanting, playing sacred instruments, and performing religious readings.

Preserving age-old traditions

One of Karakorum’s standout attractions is the Erdenesiin Khuree Mongolian Calligraphy Center, which is one of the top reasons to visit Mongolia, especially during the summer months.

With its recent expansion, the center now offers a diverse range of workshops and exhibitions that extend beyond just Mongolian calligraphy, with a focus on preserving and promoting Mongolian cultural heritage.

The center will also host concerts featuring traditional Mongolian music and offer masterclasses on khoomei, the unique style of Mongolian throat singing, throughout the summer season.

In September, the center will launch a new ceramic workshop for visitors to enjoy.

Where to Stay in Karakorum

Though Karakorum is often just a stopover on the way to other destinations, this culturally vibrant city is worth a deeper exploration. Visitors should plan to spend at least two days uncovering its ancient history and reserve a night at one of its hotels, guesthouses, or tourist ger (yurt) camps.

The modern and stylish Ikh Khorum Hotel and Restaurant stands out as one of the finest options in the city. With 27 rooms, a sauna, a restaurant, a bar, and a lounge, this hotel is conveniently located within walking distance of Erdene Zuu Monastery, the Karakorum Museum, and the Erdenesiin Khuree Calligraphy Center.

Though Silver Tree Guest House is still in its early stages, staying here feels like being welcomed into a private home. That's because it is—a family-operated guesthouse offering yurt stays, rooms with private bathrooms, and a restaurant catering to both meat lovers and vegetarians.

This guesthouse is also the first in Mongolia to use a biogas heating system and offers multilingual staff, including speakers of English, French, Russian, Polish, and Mongolian.

For an authentic yurt experience, Anja Camp is a top choice in Karakorum. The camp offers fresh, organic meals from its three-season greenhouse and emphasizes eco-friendly practices in all of its operations.

Anja Camp’s founders have also launched projects to combat soil erosion by growing sea buckthorn, using the plant to produce creams, liqueurs, organic juices, oils, and even sea buckthorn tea, a local favorite. They also operate the Sweet Gobi Geolodge, located an hour outside Karakorum in Elsen Tasarkhai, which is worth a visit if you're nearby.