Sangiin Kherem

Western Mongolia

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At the northern end of the city are these crumbling ruins, built around 1762 by the Manchu (Qing dynasty) warlords who once brutally governed Mongolia. The compound (40,000 sq metres) once contained several temples, a Chinese graveyard and the homes of the Manchu rulers. Only the perimeter walls remain.

Three enormous gates provided access. At one time there was a moat (2m deep and 3m wide) around the 4m-high walls, but this has been completely filled in. The 1500-man Chinese garrison was destroyed after a 10-day siege and two-day battle in August 1912.

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

  • Khovd Aimag Museum

    Khovd Aimag Museum

    0.34 MILES

    This museum has the usual collection of stuffed wildlife, plus excellent ethnic costumes, Buddhist and Kazakh art and a snow leopard pelt on the wall. One…

  • Khar Us Nuur

    Khar Us Nuur

    24.55 MILES

    Khar Us Nuur (15,800 sq km, average depth 4m) is a vast marshy delta and Mongolia's third biggest lake by area, home to wild ducks, geese, wood grouse,…

  • Gandan Puntsag Choilon Khiid

    Gandan Puntsag Choilon Khiid

    2.24 MILES

    Officially opened in 2010, this is the largest monastery in western Mongolia. The compound is surrounded by a wall (with a path on top) and 108 stupas…

  • Chinggis Khaan's Wall

    Chinggis Khaan's Wall

    28.5 MILES

    This barely discernible hump running along the southwestern edge of Khar Us Nuur is thought to date back to the Kublai Khaan period, when it may have…

  • Watchtower

    Watchtower

    21.35 MILES

    This metal watchtower on the western shore of Khar Us Nuur has been set up for viewing birdlife in the surrounding reed islands.

View more attractions

Nearby Western Mongolia attractions

1. Khovd Aimag Museum

0.34 MILES

This museum has the usual collection of stuffed wildlife, plus excellent ethnic costumes, Buddhist and Kazakh art and a snow leopard pelt on the wall. One…

2. Gandan Puntsag Choilon Khiid

2.24 MILES

Officially opened in 2010, this is the largest monastery in western Mongolia. The compound is surrounded by a wall (with a path on top) and 108 stupas…

3. Watchtower

21.35 MILES

This metal watchtower on the western shore of Khar Us Nuur has been set up for viewing birdlife in the surrounding reed islands.

4. Khar Us Nuur

24.55 MILES

Khar Us Nuur (15,800 sq km, average depth 4m) is a vast marshy delta and Mongolia's third biggest lake by area, home to wild ducks, geese, wood grouse,…

5. Chinggis Khaan's Wall

28.5 MILES

This barely discernible hump running along the southwestern edge of Khar Us Nuur is thought to date back to the Kublai Khaan period, when it may have…