Roadside town between Ulaanbaatar and Kharakhorum |
Mongolian steppe between Ulaanbaatar and Kharakhorum |
Mongol Els sand dunes, east of Kharakhorum |
Bayan Gobi ger camp, a lunch stop for us |
Replica of a wagon-mounted ger at Bayan Gobi camp |
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Roadside monument to local spirits. Mongolian drivers honk as they drive by to pay their respects. |
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"Phallic Rock" in Kharakorum. This stone suposedly served to remind Buddhist monks at the nearby monestary to refrain from sex. |
A Mongolian police officer sits on the phallic rock and makes an offering, apparently to assist with fathering a child |
9th-Century Stone Tortoise near Kharakhorum |
Ceremonial rock piles, some with horse skulls, overlooking Kharakhorum. The walled Erdene Zuu Monestary is visible in the background. |
Erdene Zuu Monestary, the star attraction of Kharakhorum |
Scenery on the outskirts of Kharakhorum |
Kharakhorum, with irrigation channel from the nearby river |
Great Imperial Map Monument overlooking Kharakhorum |
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Great Imperial Map Monument |
Great Imperial Map Monument |
Anar Ger Camp |
River (with houses for gates feeding the irrigation channel) outside Kharakhorum |
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Outer wall of Erdene Zuu Monestary |
Stone monument in Erdene Zuu Monestary |
Erdene Zuu Monestary |
Stone monument, Erdene Zuu Monestary |
One of the temples inside Erdene Zuu Monestary |
Drinking bowl made from a deceased monk's skull, Erdene Zuu Monestary |
Statute in Erdene Zuu Monestary |
Erdene Zuu Monestary |
Temples in Erdene Zuu Monestary |
Erdene Zuu Monestary |
Buddha statute, Erdene Zuu Monestary |
Roofs and eaves, Erdene Zuu Monestary |
Dragon head adorning a roof, Erdene Zuu Monestary |
Buddha statues, Erdene Zuu Monestary |
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A fierce deity guards Buddha statues, Erdene Zuu Monestary |
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Erdene Zuu Monestary |
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Dragons on a temple roof, Erdene Zuu Monestary |
Stupas, Erdene Zuu Monestary |
Stones from the ancient capital of Chinggis Khaan, Erdene Zuu Monestary |
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Stupa on the outer wall of Erdene Zuu Monestary |
Another stone tortoise outside Erdene Zuu Monestary |
Outer wall of Erdene Zuu Monestary |
Erdene Zuu Monestary |