The old city of Kharko in Mongolia is one of the most exciting places you can visit in the country. If you love to explore city ruins, this could be right up your alley.
Location
The city and its district can be found at the province of Övorkhangai. The city can be found at the lower portion of the upper valley of the River Orkhon.
What to See
This ancient city was formerly one of the major sites in the Mongolian Empire. Near the site you will find the Khangai Mountain foothills. This joins up to the rolling steppe in the center of the country.
Not too far off are the ruins of Karakorum, an old town. Another interesting site is the old Erdene Zuu monastery. Kharko in Mongolia is used to irrigate the crops in the town’s eastern side. The importance of the city is underscored by its inclusion in the World Heritage Site Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape.
History
The area making up present day Mongolia has been ruled by Xianbei, Xiongnu and other empires. These scattered empires and tribes were then united under the rule of Genghis Khan in 1206. Under his rule, the empire would become one of the largest the world has ever seen.
The end of the Yuan Dynasty in 1368 saw the Mongols engage in local strife. By the 17th century, much of the area was influenced by Tibetan Buddhism. By the end of this period, the Qing Dynasty had taken over most of the country. This dynasty ended in 1911.
Its end saw Mongolia strive for independence, but the struggle would not end until 1921. During this time, the country was influenced by Russia. The year 1924 saw the birth of the Mongolian People’s Republic. The fall of Communism saw the birth of the country’s Democratic Revolution. A multi-party system was established as well as a new constitution.
Cost
There are many tours to Mongolia and their prices vary. A four day tour costs 500 USD or so. An 11 day tour is usually priced around 1800 USD. The price will depend on the type of tour package you get.
Other Info
Aside from the city ruins, there are many other interesting sites in the country. This includes Orkhon Khurkhree and the National Museum of Mongolian History.
Exploring Kharko in Mongolia will give you a chance to appreciate the history of the country. Once ruled by the great Genghis Khan, it is still possible to catch a glimpse of its glory.
