Reawakening the Ancient Capital - New Life for Kharakhorum’s Ruins

Ancient city Kharkhorin

On July 26, Prime Minister G. Zandanshatar visited the archaeological excavation site of the ancient capital city of Kharakhorum, where he reviewed the progress of urban planning and the construction of the “Great Khans’ Garden” memorial complex.

A proposal has been submitted to the Ministry of Culture to establish an open-air museum based on the ruins of ancient Kharakhorum. The aim is to create a roofed complex, following international best practices, to allow year-round access for domestic and international tourists. This will also ensure better preservation and protection of the exposed archaeological remains.

As part of the broader Kharakhorum development initiative, major infrastructure work is planned to begin in spring 2026 near the city’s historical center. The plan includes the creation of four residential zones capable of housing up to 500,000 people.

A key component of this initiative is the restoration of Kheltegii Tsagaan Lake, a seasonal body of water fed by rainfall and floodwaters. The restoration will be carried out by the Kharakhorum City Administration in cooperation with the Water Authority, a government implementing agency. The city’s water supply is planned to come from a sustainable mix: 50% from groundwater, 25% from surface water, and 25% from recycled greywater. Restoration efforts will involve repairing and repurposing the old irrigation system that was originally built in 1965 but has since been inactive.

In the “Great Khans’ Garden”, an ongoing greening initiative has already seen the planting of 700,000 trees and the construction of 45 wells for irrigation. Tree maintenance and cultivation are actively being carried out. Going forward, the project plans to plant an additional 1 million trees across eight locations, with preparations in place to reach this goal during the upcoming autumn planting season.

 Cultural heritage

#Open-air museum

#Tourist destination

#Historical tourism

#International tourism

#Kharakhorum tourism