The Turkish memorials of Khöshöö Tsaidam bring together four commemorative complexes erected in the 8th century in the Orkhon Valley, central Mongolia. They represent the most significant known archaeological remains of the Turkish Empire and reveal, through their inscribed stelae, rare information about the culture, religion, and politics of Central Asian peoples in the early Middle Ages.

Why visit the memorials of Khöshöö Tsaidam

The site holds both historical and archaeological significance. The runic inscriptions carved on the stelae rank among the oldest known texts in Old Turkish, and their decipherment has allowed scholars to reconstruct elements of the political organization of the Eastern Turkish Empire.

• The most significant known archaeological remains of the Turkish Empire, which stretched across Central Asia between the 6th and 8th centuries.
• Stelae whose inscriptions are invaluable for studying the history and culture of Central Asia.
• An on-site museum that showcases the principal artifacts recovered from excavations.
• An open steppe setting near other major sites in the Orkhon Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

History of the site

The memorials were established around the 730s in honor of Turkish kings and aristocrats. Two of them are clearly identified through their inscriptions:

• The memorial of Kul Tegin, commander-in-chief of the Turkish armed forces and younger brother of Bilge Khan, who died in 731.
• The memorial of Bilge Khan, political leader of the Eastern Turkish Empire, who died in 734.

The two adjacent complexes lack direct dating, but the similarity of their layout, structure, and associated rituals suggests contemporary construction, likely dedicated to other figures of the Turkish aristocracy. According to several scholars, these ensembles were destroyed by the Uyghurs roughly a decade after their creation, following the fall of the Eastern Turkish Empire in 744—an episode whose exact responsibility remains debated among historians. The statues of the sovereign and his retinue were largely broken or beheaded at that time.

The site has been the subject of international excavations, particularly led by Turkish and Mongolian teams, which have substantially deepened knowledge of the funeral and ceremonial practices of the Turkish Empire.

What to see on site

The inscribed stelae

The stelae of Bilge Khan and Kul Tegin are the most renowned pieces. Carved in Turkish runic script and, in certain sections, in Chinese, they recount the military and political exploits of the two brothers and their vision of the destiny of the Turkish people.

Sculptures and balbal

The complexes were bordered by rows of standing stones (balbal) and statues depicting the deceased and their entourage. Among the elements still visible or preserved in the museum:

• Two headless sheep statues at the entrance to the memorial of Bilge Khan.
• The upper half of a human statue in coarse white granite, with missing head and right arm, holding a flat object in the left hand.
• Fragments of statues depicting dignitaries and animals.

Precious grave goods

Recent excavations have uncovered funerary objects of exceptional craftsmanship, displayed in the on-site museum:

• A golden crown adorned with the figure of a mythical bird.
• Small vessels in gold and silver.
• A silver deer statue.

Practical information

• Location: Arkhangai province, Orkhon Valley, approximately 50 km north of Kharkhorin (Karakorum).
• Duration of visit: allow 1.5 to 2.5 hours to explore the site and museum.
• Recommended season: late May through early September, when tracks are passable and the museum is open. Outside this period, check opening hours with a local guide.
• Admission: moderate entrance fee; single ticket covers both site and museum.
• On-site facilities: few services in the immediate vicinity; bring water and snacks.

How to get there

The site lies deep in the steppe, away from paved roads. Two main options:

• From Ulaanbaatar: approximately 400 km toward Kharkhorin, roughly 7 to 9 hours of travel, usually in a 4x4 vehicle with driver.
• From Kharkhorin: 1 to 1.5 hours by track northeast. Most visitors integrate Khöshöö Tsaidam into a circuit of the Orkhon Valley, combining it with Karakorum and Erdene Zuu monastery.

An English-speaking guide is helpful for interpreting the inscriptions and historical context, which are poorly documented on-site in English.

Nearby attractions

The Orkhon region and central Mongolia offer several complementary sites:

• The Gunj temple, a lesser-known Mongolian religious complex.
• The Khambiin Khiid monastery, a spiritual waypoint of the steppe.
• The Khagiin Khar lake, in the Khentii range.
• The Gandantegchinlen monastery in Ulaanbaatar, a classic starting point for circuits.

To incorporate Khöshöö Tsaidam into a comprehensive itinerary across the steppe, the Karakorum ruins, and the Orkhon Valley, consult our suggestions for travel in Mongolia.