Orkhon River Valley
Орхон голын хөндий
The wide grassland valley cradle of Mongolian civilisation, where herds, gers and river bends form the classic nomadic landscape.
The Orkhon River rises in the Khangai Mountains and flows through the broad valley around Kharkhorin. For two thousand years, the Xiongnu, Turks, Uyghurs and the Mongol Empire all established their capitals here. In 2004, the “Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape” was inscribed as a World Heritage Site. In summer the valley is lush with grass. You can ride horses along the river, stay with herding families to experience milking mares and making dairy products, and enjoy superb night skies. The valley begins right outside the town of Kharkhorin. A half-day horse ride costs about 30,000 to 50,000 tögrög.
Opening hours
Open all day
Nearby sights
- Mongol Empire Monument
- Ruins of Karakorum
- Kharkhorum Museum
- Turtle Rock
- Erdene Zuu Monastery
- Phallic Rock
- Shankh Monastery
- Kharbalgas (Ordu-Baliq)