Best of Övörkhangai Province

Övörkhangai Essentials

Övörkhangai serves as the historical heart of the Mongol Empire, containing the archaeological remains of the 13th-century capital, Karakorum, and the Erdene Zuu Monastery. The region encompasses the Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape, a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring the Tövkhön Monastery retreat and the 24-meter Ulaan Tsutgalan waterfall. Visitors can explore excavated ruins of Ögödei Khan's palace alongside high-altitude volcanic lakes like Khuisiin Naiman Nuur and the Shankh Monastery, one of the country's oldest religious institutions.

Marcin Konsek / CC BY-SA 4.0

Erdene Zuu

The Erdene Zuu Monastery is probably the earliest surviving Buddhist monastery in Mongolia.

User:Vidor / Public domain

Ulaan Tsutgalan waterfall

The Ulaan Tsutgalan Waterfall is a waterfall in Bat-Ölzii District, Övörkhangai Province, Mongolia.

Karakorum

The 13th-century capital of the Mongol Empire and a vital Silk Road hub. The site contains archaeological remains of city walls, kilns, and administrative buildings that served as the empire's political center during the reign of Ögödei Khan.

Kharakhorum Museum

This museum displays artifacts excavated from the Orkhon Valley and the ruins of Karakorum. Exhibits include 13th-century pottery, silver coins, religious relics, and a detailed scale model of the ancient capital as it appeared during the Mongol Empire.

Tövkhön Monastery

Established in 1648 by Zanabazar as a secluded meditation retreat. Perched at 2,300 meters on a mountain peak, the complex includes several small temples and a cave known as the 'Mother's Womb' used for spiritual practice.

Shankh Monastery

Shankh Monastery located in Övörkhangai Province, Central Mongolia, 25 kilometers South East of Kharkhorin city, is one of Mongolia’s…

Einalem / CC BY-SA 2.0

Kharkhorin Rock

Kharkhorin Rock, also Kharkarin Rock or Phallic Rock, is a large statue of a penis raised on a platform on the steppe, located near Erdene…

Khuisiin 8n nuur

A high-altitude volcanic area featuring eight interconnected lakes, including Shireet and Khaliut. Located over 2,400 meters above sea level, the landscape is characterized by alpine meadows, coniferous forests, and surrounding extinct volcanoes.

Ögödei's palace

Excavated ruins of the Tumen Amgalan Palace, commissioned by Ögödei Khan in 1235. Archaeological findings at the site include granite turtle sculptures, decorative roof tiles, and the foundations of a central pavilion once used for imperial receptions.