The ancient capital of the Mongol Empire, then known as Kharkhorin, was located 350 km away from the current capital, Ulaanbaatar, at the upper part of the UNESCO World Heritage site Orkhon Valley.

Construction of the ancient capital, Khakhorin, was initiated by Chinggis Khaan and completed during the reign of his successor, Ogedei Khaan. At its zenith, this city was a melting pot of cultures, one of the most diverse places in the world. Its strategic position along the renowned Silk Road and its status as the capital of a vast empire spanning continents bestowed upon it immense prosperity.

Kharkhorin was divided into distinct districts for Mongols, Chinese, and Persians, reflecting its multicultural nature. The city's religious tolerance fostered a harmonious coexistence of Buddhists, Pagans, Muslims, Taoists, and Christians, a testament to its cultural richness.

Kharkhorin’s decline began with Kubilai Khan's move of the capital to Beijing and subsequent civil wars at the end of the 13th century and the beginning of the 14th century.

After the fall of the Yuan Dynasty, it was occupied again by Mongol Khans, but Ming Dynasty troops razed the city in the late 14th century.

Although the city was inhabited until the 16th century, disunity among the Mongolian nobles and several wars caused the city to decay. In 1585, Abtai Sain Khan ordered the construction of the very first major Buddhist monastery, Erdene Zuu, using rubble from the ancient capital.

Today, the town of Kharkhorin is located close to the site where the ancient capital was located. The Erdene Zuu monastery still stands despite challenging times in the 20th century. The Kharkhorin Museum contains many items and artifacts dating back to the 13th century.

It is a place worth visiting for those interested in history and culture.