ORKHON VALLEY

Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape is one of Mongolia’s most important cultural and historical regions and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For centuries, the valley was a center of nomadic life and an important area in the history of Central Asia.

Several major historical sites are located within the valley, including Karakorum, the capital of the Mongol Empire; Khar Balgas, the former capital of the Uyghur Khaganate; Erdene Zuu Monastery; and Tuvkhun Monastery.

Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape covers the Orkhon River basin and the northeastern edge of the Khangai Mountains, with landscapes shaped by low mountains, rolling hills, wide river valleys, and open steppe. The area includes mountain forest, forest-steppe, river meadows, and dry steppe, creating a varied natural setting.