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Heritage Site · Khitan period

Khar Bukh Balgas

The stone walls of a Khitan-period settlement beside the Khar Bukh river, with a 17th-century Mongol monastery inside.

Location
Dashinchilen, Bulgan aimag
Period
Khitan period
Date
State protected since 1998

History

Khar Bukh Balgas lies next to the Khar Bukh river bridge, about 12 km from the centre of Dashinchilen soum. Sources suggest the settlement was first built in the Khitan period. Its buildings were made of volcanic basalt, grindstone and sedimentary rock stacked in layers, and its traces cover about 500 square metres.

In the 17th century Mongols built a stone monastery inside the old walls. Near the ruin, the scholar Perlee found a 14th–15th-century anthology written on tree bark, including sutras, rule books and a handbook of the Mongolian script. The site has been state protected since 1998.

What to See

  • The layered stone walls of the settlement
  • The remains of the 17th-century monastery inside

Visiting

  • About 12 km from the centre of Dashinchilen; combine it with the White House of Tsogt Taij in the same soum.
  • There are no facilities; do not climb the walls.

Distances and travel times are approximate. Check local conditions, opening hours and permits before you travel.

Sources

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