Which Capital of Mongolia?The capital of Mongolia used to move with the seasons. Its residents would load their homes onto the back of a camel and move on. If the city didn't move, the government and civil service did. Kublai Khan changed capitals at least three times a year. Even the modern capital of Mongolia, Ulan Bator, has a nomadic quarter. Below you will find a description of Mongolian Capitals, past and present... Ulan Bator—modern Capital of Mongolia
Ulan Bator: a modern city with a host of attractions, new and old. UB started life as a nomadic, monastic settlement. It has changed location twenty-eight times; at one time it even traveled to China. A special religious ceremony determined the time and location of each move. In 1778, UB moved to its current location on the Tuul River. At that time, most of its inhabitants were Buddhist monks. The monks chose the site because of the 'four holy mountains' which surround it. But the 1930s brought a socialist government and a religious purge. Monks were forced to abandon their religion, and UB was reinvented as a manufacturing center and modern capital. Today Ulan Bator has grown into a bustling city with over a million inhabitants. Ulaan Baatar (as the locals spell it) has Mongolia's only international airport and connects Mongolia with the rest of the world by road, rail and air. How to get here | When to arrive | Things to do in UB | Safety in UB Hohhot, China—Capital of Inner Mongolia
Hohhot is a compound of two Mongolian words: 'hoh' meaning Blue, and 'hot' meaning city. Founded by a Mongolian king in the sixteenth century, it became a part of China after the collapse of the Mongol Yuan dynasty. In 1952, Hohhot became the administrative center and capital of Inner Mongolia. At the same time, the Chinese government made efforts to protect Mongolian culture. These efforts met with only partial success. Today, one in ten of Hohhot's citizens are of Mongol origin, but Chinese culture dominates. These days many tourists travel to Hohhot. Click here for more information about what to see, eat and buy in Hohhot City. But if you want to experience real Mongol culture, you should travel to Outer Mongolia. Ulan Ude—Capital of Buryatia, Russia
Ulan Ude once belonged to the Mongol Empire. Today, it's the third-largest city in Eastern Siberia and the capital of Russia's Buryat Republic. Sitting on the junction of the Trans-Siberian and Trans-Mongolian lines, travelers pass through Ulan Ude on the way to Ulan Bator or Beijing. Many disembark and explore. The city also makes a good base for exploring Lake Baikal, the largest fresh-water lake in the world. Click here for Ulan Ude tips on: what to see, where to stay and what to eat. Karakorum—Genghis Khan's Ancient Capital of Mongolia
Erdene Zuu Monastery—near Karakorum, ancient capital of Mongolia At first, Karakorum served as a rallying point for Genghis Khan's troops. But by 1220, Karakorum had become much more—here Genghis Khan founded a capital which would become the center of his empire. In keeping with nomadic tradition, Karakorum moved several times a year. After Genghis Khan's death, many captured artisans and skilled workers made their home in Karakorum. Their presence led to a construction boom. Karakorum's position became fixed: walls were built, and a large palace constructed. Karakorum became an important center for sculpture—especially noteworthy for its stone tortoises. In fact a stone tortoise stands as a last witness of the old capital of Mongolia...
Eventually, Mongolia's capital was moved to Beijing. Karakorum then suffered civil war before Ming troops burnt it to the ground. In 1585, monks used the ruins to build a Tibetan Buddhist monastery called Erdene Zuu. This temple still stands. Karakorum remains a powerful symbol of Mongolia's past glory. Many ancient monuments lie close by, witnesses to its role as the birth-place of Mongolian civilization. Click here for Karakorum tips on: how to get there, what to do, what to see, and where to stay. Other cities, once a Capital of Mongolia...Khar Balgas—The capital of the eighth-century Uighur Empire. The ruins cover an area some fifty kilometers square and contain evidence of a palace and temple. The ruins of Karakorum lie close by—lending weight to the idea that the ruins of Khar Balgas inspired Genghis Khan to found Karakorum. Xanadu (or Shangdu)—The summer capital of Kublai Khan, the grandson of Genghis Khan. Built between 1252 and 1256 it was laid out in a square with an inner and outer city. Xanadu represented a marriage of Chinese civilization and nomadic culture. Built at the height of Mongolia's golden age, it saw the reign of eleven emperors in 108 years. A Ming army destroyed the city in 1369. Today only an earthen mound, used to support the city walls, remains. The site may soon appear on the World Heritage List. The White City—Known as the 'Middle Capital' of the Mongolian Yuan dynasty. Its ruins lie in China's Hebei Province close to Mantaoying village. The city was divided into three parts: the Palace City, the Imperial City, and the Outer City. Some of the buildings still stand. It had a short lifespan as a capital—gaining capital status in 1308, and abandoned in 1311 because of inauspicious astrological signs. Locals destroyed the city in 1358, ten years before Ming troops chased the Mongols out of China. Beijing—The Mongolian ruled Yuan Dynasty established Beijing as its chief capital. It remains the capital of China. Other Mongolia CitiesMongolia has many other 'cities' which look more like towns from America's Wild West. If you tour Mongolia, you are likely to visit at least one or two. Read my Mongolia cities page to make sure you're prepared. Related Pages
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