LOCATION: MONGOLIA, BULGAN PROVINCE, DASHINCHILEN SOUM

The ruins of an ancient city called Khar Bukh (Hadaasan) sit on the banks of the Khar Bukh river, northeast of Khadaasan Tolgoi. Khar Bukh’s ruins are located in modern Dashinchilen District, Bulgan Province. This site dates back to two different periods of Mongolian history, the first being the Khitan period of the 10th and 11th centuries. The main reason for linking Khar Bukh’s ruins to the Khitan period is that similar inscribed roof tiles were found at another Khitan site at Qing Tolgoi. The second period dates to the first half of the 17th century, when single-storey stone buildings were built inside the walls of the ancient city. These buildings consisted of a number of large temples with strong walls. The masonry fortifications of these buildings are typical of this period, whilst their design reflects a Tibetan style of construction.

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