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Anyone who's interested in steppe history and/or the history of the Turkic peoples should visit Khar Balgas, the ancient capital of the Uighur Khaganate. Across the river a short distance are the Orkhon inscriptions, which contain the earliest recorded Turkic writing.
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Harhorum, KharaKhorum
The capital is located on the north side of the Erdene Zuu Monastery. Go to the northwest corner of the Monastery, enter the fenced compound, used to be a sign here stating that the UN had paid for the fence. About 100 m north you will come to some small fenced areas and a stone turtle, one of two inside the city fence. Between the turtle and the stupa is the remains of Ogodei Xaan's palace. A German and Mongolian team has been excavating here. The other stone turtle is in the SE corner. A third is in the hills south of Erdene Zuu.
Art gallery
Erdenezuu
This monastery was built in the 1500s, but has been destroyed several times. It is free to enter the grounds, but a tour inside the old temples costs 3000 ₮, 5000 more to take pictures inside. In the NW corner is an active temple serving the local population, this temple is in Tibetan style.
Erdenesiin Khuree
Art center specialized in creating and preserving traditional Mongolia script calligraphy. Exhibition halls are placed inside various ger.
Cultural center
Run-of-river dam along Orkhon River.