KHARA KHORUM - Ancient Capital of Great Mongolian Empire
KHARA KHORUM - Ancient Capital of Great Mongolian Empire
Chinggis
Khan's fabled city site Khara Khorum, founded in 1220 at the crossroads
of the Silk Road , is main cultural tour destination and gives you real
insight into Mongolian history & culture. Khara Khorum town existed
for 140 years, but it was the capital of Mongolian Empire for only 32
of those. Khara Khorum was the true urban, diplomatic and commercial
center before, when Khuvilai king /the grandson of Chinggis King/ made
to move Khara Khorum to Beijing in 1260. Later in 1364 after the Yan
Dynasty collaps Khara Khorum turned into the capital city again.
In
1235 a lot of buildings, commercial streets, Buddhist temples,
Christian and Muslim churches, building material houses and other big
objects were built in this town. The most famous gorgeous object was
Golden Gorde Palace of Ogoodei Khan, who is son of Chinggis Khan.The
palace housed for Silver Tree fountain with angel figure, which had 4
branches delivering wine, mare's fermented milk, terrachina beer and one
kind of juice. Therefore, the city was metropolitan capital with
western and eastern styled buildings and houses.
Since
2000 Mongolian-German expedition has discovered some valuable
information on city structure: pipes for heating system, the green
colored ceramic floor for the palace, brick burning stove, a lot of
numbers of foreign coins, pipe for drinking water and so on…
Egiption faraon mask found in area of Khara Khorum | 108 stupa wall of Monastery Erdene Zuu |
Temple for Dalai Lama-I in Erdene zuu monastery
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Erdene Zuu Monastery in Khara Khorum
Erdene Zuu Monastery is located north west of imperial site at Khara Khorum. In 1586 Mongolian King Avtai Sain Khan built the first Buddhist monastery-Erdene Zuu monastery on ruins of Khara Khorum. Monumental walls with 108 stupas and 4 gates, which had the defensive role, surround Erdene zuu monastery. Erdene Zuu Monastery is not only historical significant site, but also cultural and intellectual artwork. It is testified with 3 temples buildings, which was constructed in the way of padlocking woods, it means, without using any nails.
Erdene Zuu Monastery is located north west of imperial site at Khara Khorum. In 1586 Mongolian King Avtai Sain Khan built the first Buddhist monastery-Erdene Zuu monastery on ruins of Khara Khorum. Monumental walls with 108 stupas and 4 gates, which had the defensive role, surround Erdene zuu monastery. Erdene Zuu Monastery is not only historical significant site, but also cultural and intellectual artwork. It is testified with 3 temples buildings, which was constructed in the way of padlocking woods, it means, without using any nails.
There
are displayed many valuable collections of sculptures, artworks, gold
statues, religious masks, appliqués, mineral & oil paintings and
portraits of gods, which were created by Mongolian masters in XVI-XVII
centuries. All these collections demonstrate an artistic heritage of
steppe nomads and their wonderful skills in XVII century, when the
upgraded technique and machines were not introduced. The most popular
displays are gold Tara figures, rock inscription in Mongolian and
frescoes.
Ogoodei Khan's Palace ruins
The
Palace of Ogoodei Khan was built in the south west of Khara Khorum
town. The palace was the most beautiful gorgeous palace in Khara Khorum.
Excavations, carried out in 1949 by Mongolian-Russian expeditions,
covered ceramic and metallic objects, also at revealed Buddhist
frescoes. This palace was of some importance, although the emperor lived
there only twice a year. 2 years ago Mongolian and German Science
Academy expedition group handled the excavation in the ruins, and they
discovered and found the heating system pipes, which proves the nomads
used to use the modern heating system in XIV century.
Picture on the wall of Ogoodei Palace | Turtle rock |
Offertory rock ruins
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Turtle rock
There
are 2 turtle rocks in Khara Khorum, one is on the north part of Erdene
zuu, and another one is located on the south hill of Erdene Zuu
monastery. The turtle rock on the hill is the ancient original turtle,
which was set in XIII centuries. The turtle is symbol of immortality and
it protects something from flood danger. Therefore, Mongolians set 4
turtles on the four sides of Khara Khorum capital.
Offertory site for Turkish King in Khoshoo Tsaidam
The
Khoshoo Tsaidam offertory sites with rock inscriptions are the most
ancient Turkish historical sight and Blue Turkish linguistic heritage.
Offertory site for Turkish King in Khoshoo Tsaidam has 2 important
monoliths located near on another. The first monument is dedicated to
Turkish prince Kultegen, who was living in 685-731 in recent Mongolian
territory; another is devoted for his brother Bilge Khan. The brief
information about Turkish culture, history, tradition, religion,
military activity, society and Turkish tribe's life are written on these
memorial monuments. The meaning of the stanzas on the monument is to
praise the majesty of Kultegen King. This memorial monument is not only
the rock inscription, but also it shows the carving ability and culture,
for example, the interlaced dragons, seal and so on.
Khara Bukha Fortress ruins
Khara Bukha Fortress ruins
Khara
Bukha Fortress ruins are dated to 2different times: 1. 10-11 century it
was the city of Kidan empire for 100 years and it was ancient Silk Road
center town. 2. In the first half of 17 century the Buddhist temples
were built in this fortress. There are traces of town quarters, remains
of temples, stupas, rampart about 12 meter tall, formed of a thick wall
of unbaked bricks. Several stone steles with inscriptions in Turkish and
Uigur can be still seen in the town ruins. In 1970 archaeological
expedition found the old vase, porcelain and pottery pots and old books
written in Mongolian old script.
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