EASTERN PART OF MONGOLIA

CHINGGIS KHAN"S BIRTHPLACE - KHENTII PROVINCE

How to get: by jeep 210-380 km & 2-5 days drive

Recent Khentii aimag has the historical distinction of being the homeland of the XIII century great emperor and military leader Chinggis Khan. Dozens of sites scattered across this province are associated with his life and birthplace. Khentii province landscape is featuring forest and semi-steppe zone. In the 1206 prince Temujin was titled as king of Mongolian united tribes and named Chinggis Khan. Chinggis khaan established great Mongolian empire and conquered many kingdoms, tribes and dynasties in Euro-Asian territory. It seems he could conquer almost half of the world.

Khodoo aral site

Khodoo aral site is very famous and significant site for its chronicle. Book “Secret history of Mongols”, that tells biography of Chinggis khan and historical events concerning to Mongolia Empire, was composed and finished in this place. During finishing the composition of the book the Mongolian empire capital was moved to this place and set here. Also son of Chinggis khan-Ogoodei was chosen as the king at the meeting of key people of the country.

Deluun Boldog

Deluun boldog site is considered the birthplace of Chinggis khan. In 1962 Khentii province official people erected the very first monument in the memory of Chinggis khan for his 800 birthday anniversary. Although Mongolian communist government people ordered to destroy it down, the local people sent false message about execution of the order to the government, and they kept it until today.

“Blue lake of black heart” lake

Blue lake is very important place in Chinggis khan's childhood and fellow-hood, also for making changes in his life. When Temujin /Chinggis khan's boy name/ young man was escaping away from his enemies, he hided in this lake water and got free. Later Temujin brought Burte Ujin as his fiancée, married and started his family. After that Temujin became the king of All Mongol tribe. After that Temujin was conferred as Chinggis Khan, he stayed in this area many times.

Burkhan Khaldun Mountain

Historically it was sacred place worshipped by All Mongol tribes. Chinggis khan used to bring offerings every morning.

Rashaan Rock-drawings, scribes, settlement

On the Rashaan khad there are numerous carvings and paintings depicting animals and humans as well as carvings of several hundred of tribal seals and around 20 scripts in Orkhon, Hidan, Arabic-Persian, Chinese, Tibetan and Mongolian languages. These historical remains date from the upper Paleolithic age to medieval age. These findings suggest that area around the Rashaan rock used to be the center of western Mongolian culture and civilization. Experimental archeological excavations of minor scale were undertaken in this area and discovered more than 5000 stone tools.

Deer Monument

Deer monument around Rashaan rock is the real interesting sight, which will show the Mongolian tribes artwork and carving ability. In the surrounding area there are 12 square tombs and 2 big burial places located in the center. The figures of 7 deers engraved to cover the whole surface are largely fainted and worn out.

Oglogch fortress

There are ruins of a wall built by carefully placing pieces of stone on each other and using the mountains side as a support. No clay was used to hold the stones together. This construction is called Oglogch fortress. About 3 km long, the wall has doors on the southern and northern sides. The wall is 3.1 m tall and 2.5 m thick. There are no any ruins to prove that inside of this fortress there were used to be constructions. Researchers suggested that it was a fort of archers or this is the tomb place of royal people. Recently in summer 2002, American expedition group undertook excavation to find out Chinggis khan tomb.