heymongolia
Monasteries & temples

Erdene Zuu Monastery

Mongolia's oldest surviving Buddhist monastery (1585), surrounded by a wall of 108 white stupas.

Built from the ruins of Karakorum, the capital of the Mongol Empire, Erdene Zuu is part of the Orkhon Valley UNESCO World Heritage site. Inside the walls are three temples with painted wooden ceilings, statues and thangka paintings, and a working temple where monks still chant.

Next door, the Kharkhorin Museum shows finds from the old imperial city.

  • Region: Central Mongolia (Övörkhangai)
  • Best time: All year
  • Time needed: 2–3 hours
  • Entry: Entry fee; extra for photos inside temples

Tips

  • Walk clockwise around the stupas and temples.
  • Combine with the Karakorum Museum and the Turtle Rock stone nearby.

Tours that visit Erdene Zuu Monastery

  • Treasures of Mongolia (12 days · Several regions · Tour Mongolia (Active & Adventure Tours Mongolia) · from $2,480)
    A 12-day minivan loop from Ulaanbaatar through the Gobi and central Mongolia, staying in ger camps and with herding families, with camel and horse riding along the way.
  • Essence of Mongolia – 7 Days (7 days · Several regions · Tour Mongolia (Active & Adventure Tours Mongolia) · from $1,560)
    A 7-day 4WD circuit of central Mongolia from Ulaanbaatar, with hot springs, the Orkhon Valley and Karakorum, nomad family stays, and horse and camel riding.
  • Essence of Mongolia – 5 Days (5 days · Several regions · Tour Mongolia (Active & Adventure Tours Mongolia) · from $1,140)
    A 5-day 4WD trip from Ulaanbaatar to Karakorum and back via sand dunes and Hustai park, mixing nomad family stays with horse and camel riding.
  • Discover Mongolia Tour (14 days · Several regions · Discover Mongolia · from $2,596)
    A 14-day tour combining the South Gobi, central Mongolia and Khuvsgul Lake, using domestic flights and vans, with ger camp nights and a nomad family stay.
  • Beauty of Mongolia Tour (11 days · Several regions · Discover Mongolia · from $1,930)
    An 11-day tour from Ulaanbaatar covering Terelj, Hustai, Karakorum and the South Gobi, travelling by van with a flight back, staying in ger camps and one night with a nomad family.
  • Taste of Mongolia Tour (8 days · Several regions · Discover Mongolia · from $1,228)
    An 8-day van tour from Ulaanbaatar through Terelj, Hustai, Ugii Lake, Karakorum and the Elsen Tasarkhai dunes, with horse and camel rides and a nomad family visit.
  • Beauty of Mongolia Tour and Local Naadam Festival (13 days · Several regions · Discover Mongolia · from $2,477)
    A 13-day July tour timed for the local Naadam in Kharkhorin, continuing south through Ongi and the South Gobi before flying back to Ulaanbaatar.
  • Discover Mongolia Tour and Local Naadam Kharkhorin (16 days · Central Mongolia · Discover Mongolia · from $3,082)
    A 16-day July tour joining the Kharkhorin local Naadam with the South Gobi, central lakes and hot springs, and Khuvsgul Lake, using two domestic flights.

Nearby places