The Orkhon River ( / ˈ ɔːr k ɒ n / ; Mongolian : Орхон гол [ˈɔrχɞɴ‿ɢɜɮ] ) is a river in Mongolia .
7-664: The Orkhon river derives its name from the Old Turkic prefix "or" meaning "middle", and "khan" or king. It rises in the Khangai Mountains in the Tsenkher sum of Arkhangai aimag at the foot of the Suvraga Khairkhan mountain. From there, it crosses the border into Övörkhangai aimag and follows the upper Orkhon valley in an eastern direction until it reaches Kharkhorin . On this stretch, very close to
14-599: Is an extinct volcanic field on the northern slopes of the Khangai Mountains. The mountains feed the rivers Orkhon , Selenge , Ider , Zavkhan and the lakes Orog and Böön tsagaan. In the west, the Khangai mountains transition into the Great Lakes Depression . The Khangai mountain region is known for its mild microclimates in certain areas. Winters there are not as harsh as in other parts of
21-541: The Uyghur Khaganate (745–840) built their capital Ordu-Baliq in the region. The tallest mountain is Otgontenger ( lit. "Youngest sky"), which is about 4,000 metres tall. It is revered by the Mongols and state ceremonies are held there. Otgontenger is considered sacred by ancient Turks . Suvraga Khairkhan , 3,117 metres tall, is another sacred mountain to the east of Tsetserleg . Taryatu-Chulutu
28-710: The Khangai mountains: Arkhangai (North Khangai) and Ovorkhangai (South Khangai). The mild climate area where the two provinces meet (in eastern Khangai) is known as the cradle of Mongolian and nomadic civilization. The plains at the foot of the eastern Khangai host the Orkhon Valley World Heritage Site . The Xiongnu capital Luut Khot (Lungcheng), the Xianbei capital Ordo and the Rouran capital Moomt (Mume) are said to have been located there. Later empires also established their capitals there: e.g.
35-759: The Orkhon is longer than the Selenge, making it the longest river in Mongolia. Major tributaries of the Orkhon river are the Tuul River and Tamir River . There are two sets of ancient ruins along the river valley: Khar Balgas , the ancient capital of the Uyghur Kingdom and Karakorum , the ancient capital of the Mongol Empire . Pyotr Kuzmich Kozlov excavated several Xiongnu Imperial tombs in
42-709: The Orkhon, the Ulaan Tsutgalan river features a waterfall , ten metres (33 ft) wide and twenty metres (66 ft) high, which is a popular destination for tourists. From Kharkhorin it flows northwards until it reaches Bulgan aimag , and then north-east to join the Selenge River next to Sükhbaatar city in Selenge aimag , close to the Russian border. The Selenge then flows further north into Russia and Lake Baikal . With 1,124 km (698 mi),
49-537: The area of the river valley. Fish in the Orkhon River include pike , carp , perch , taimen and catfish . UNESCO lists the Orkhon Valley as a World Heritage Site . Khangai Mountains The Khangai Mountains ( / k ə ŋ ˈ ɡ aɪ / kəng-GY ) form a range in central Mongolia , some 400 km (250 mi) west of Ulaanbaatar . Two provinces of Mongolia are named after
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