Kharkhorum City
The goal: rebuild historic Kharkhorum — capital of the Great Mongol State — in the Orkhon Valley as a modern, self-sustaining city of state rank.
History
The Orkhon Valley is the traditional seat of steppe statehood — home to the Xiongnu Luut city, the Rouran Mumo, and the Türkic and Uyghur Khar Balgas (Ordu-Baliq) capitals. Founded in 1220 by decree of Chinggis Khaan, Kharkhorum flourished under Ögedei, Güyük and Möngke as the true world capital of the Pax Mongolicaera, connecting nations and civilisations.
In 1586 the first Buddhist monastery of Mongolia, Erdene Zuu , was built on its ruins; the Orkhon Valley cultural landscape is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The city is founded
By decree of Chinggis Khaan, the foundation of a capital in the Orkhon Valley is laid.
Tumen Amgalant Palace
The khan's palace is built by decree of Ögedei Khaan.
Erdene Zuu monastery
The first Buddhist monastery of Mongolia is built on the ruins of Kharkhorum.
The Silver Tree
The city's symbol is the The Silver Tree expressing the history, heritage and traditions of ancient Kharkhorum (Law, art. 28.2).
Master plan concept
By Government Resolution No. 116 of 2026, the revised concept of the master plan was endorsed in principle and drafting of the master plan authorised.
Rationale
Ulaanbaatar — 0.3% of the national territory — concentrates 50% of the population, 70% of businesses, 84% of trade and 96% of universities. The policy to rebuild Kharkhorum stems from the need to ease this over-concentration and ensure balanced regional development.
Eight founding principles
- A city that endures forever;
- Bringing the Pax Mongolica into the present;
- Restoring its status as a world capital;
- Ensuring the coexistence of many religions;
- A capital-status city where Parliament may permanently sit;
- A destination city for Mongols worldwide;
- Delivering major business projects;
- Drawing on multiple sources of financing.
14 planning principles
First, rebuild the 800-year-old ancient city at the centre; apply traditional Mongolian khot-ail, khüree planning; turn archaeological sites into an open-air museum; develop heritage-based tourism; zoned development with an export orientation; a legally secure investment environment; a family-centred polycentric city; innovation-driven smart industry with a light-touch tax regime; an eco-city with renewable energy; disaster prevention; a transport network; Parliament permanently seated in Kharkhorum; a complete legal regime for an autonomous special-status city; and multiple incentives to attract residents.
Seven priority directions
Directions to be realised by 2040 — the 820th anniversary of the city's founding:
I. An autonomous city with capital status and its own legal regime
A special-status autonomous city with a complete legal regime, capable of permanently hosting Parliament.
II. A city of historical, cultural and artistic tourism
Heritage zones, archaeology and palaeontology, the Three Manly Games, spa resorts and virtual tourism. The ancient ruins become an enclosed open-air museum.
III. A city of science, education and high technology
A technology park; bio-, nano- and robotics; national and international data centres; artificial intelligence; an integrated smart-city control centre; a start-up ecosystem; digital construction.
IV. An international business eco-city
International organisations and diplomatic missions; a free zone with banking, finance and preferential tax treatment; a UN presence; international banks and a stock exchange; foreign universities; and, based at the Academy of Sciences, the Kharkhorum University (aiming for the world top 30); protection of the Orkhon river; restoration of Kheltgiin Tsagaan lake; at least 50% green space in residential zones; the Great Khaans Park.
V. A transport and logistics hub
An Ulaanbaatar–Kharkhorum high-speed railway; a 4E-class airport; a dry port; a 6-lane Ulaanbaatar–Lün and 4-lane Lün–Kharkhorum highway; a 500 kV transmission line. Projected impact: 24,300 jobs and 56,386 residents.
VI. An agricultural cluster city
Organic food, farm enterprises, the "White Gold" programme, an agro-park and a seed bank.
VII. Export-oriented, knowledge-based industry
Innovation-driven manufacturing of high value-added export products.
Territorial zoning
Under article 9 of the Kharkhorum Law, in addition to the zones set by the Urban Development Law, the city's territory has the following zones, each with its own approved zoning rules.
Archaeological research zone
Social infrastructure zone
Transport and logistics zone
Engineering infrastructure zone
Protection zone
Mixed-use zone
Reserve zone (white land)
Key planning requirements
| Provision | Requirement |
|---|---|
| 8.1.1 | Residents can reach schools, kindergartens, healthcare, public transport and services within 300–800 m of home |
| 8.1.2 | At least 50% of residential zones is green space |
| 8.1.5 | Population density planned at no more than 460 persons/ha |
| 8.1.9 | Public buildings rely on grey-water reuse and waste-sorting technology |
| 8.1.10 | Utility networks run through underground tunnel systems |
| 8.1.11 | Airspace provision for unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) |
| 8.1.13 | An accessible environment for persons with disabilities |
| 8.3 | The master plan spans 20 years, partial master plans 5 years |
Planning documents
Under article 7 of the Kharkhorum Law, the city has the following planning documents:
| Document | Approving authority |
|---|---|
| Master plan concept | Presented to the Government for approval |
| City master plan | The Government |
| Partial master plans | The Council (on the Governor's proposal) |
| Project feasibility studies | The City Governor |
| Construction projects | The City Governor |
| Annual land-management plan | The Council (on the Governor's proposal) |