Rebuilding Kharkhorum: Bridging Mongolia’s imperial past with its modern future.

kharkhorin city

The construction of Kharkhorum City was officially launched on June 15, 2025, under the Presidential Decree on the Rebuilding of Kharkhorum City in the Orkhon Valley — a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

As part of this major urban development initiative, the restoration of the Great Tsogt Temple will be prioritized, and an open-air museum will be established on the ruins of the ancient city of Kharkhorum, originally founded by Chinggis Khaan.

Dr. Sampildondov Chuluun, Academician and Director of the “Chinggis Khaan” National Museum, emphasized the historical significance of the site:

“Today, many people mistakenly associate the ruins of Kharkhorum with the Erdene Zuu Monastery. However, the original city was once enclosed by a 900-meter-long wall, and the royal palace stood beneath what is now Erdene Zuu. Kharkhorum was one of the first cities in the world to embrace religious diversity, where Buddhism, Islam, and Christianity coexisted peacefully. It was a center of unity and innovation, home to around 1,500 artisans from across the globe who gathered to showcase their craftsmanship. Decisions made in Kharkhorum influenced vast territories across Eurasia, underscoring its geopolitical importance. Although Mongolian and German archaeologists have conducted joint excavations, less than 10 percent of the site has been explored. This presents a unique opportunity to launch a large-scale national expedition. We aim to create an open-air museum that authentically represents the ancient city.”

To support the scientific foundation of the project, the “Chinggis Khaan” National Museum, professional institutes under the Mongolian Academy of Sciences, and the Council of Scholars have agreed to collaborate on joint research efforts.

In connection with the city-building initiative, 189,000 hectares of land in the Orkhon Valley — spanning Uvurkhangai and Arkhangai provinces — have been designated as state special-use territory.