Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape
Orhon
The Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape in Mongolia is renowned for its ancient Orkhon inscriptions, carved memorial steles honoring the Göktürk princes Kul Tigin and Bilge Qaghan from the early 8th century. These bilingual texts, in Old Turkic and Middle Chinese, provide invaluable insights into the origins, golden age, subjugation, and liberation of the Turkic peoples. The inscriptions, discovered in 1889 and deciphered in the late 19th century, represent the oldest known Turkic script and mark a transition from runic carvings to an alphabet influenced by the Sogdian script. The steles stand on carved stone turtles within walled enclosures in the Orkhon Valley near the Orhon River, a region sacred to the Göktürks. The site also includes evidence of altars and carved depictions possibly representing the honored princes and their spouses. As a cultural landscape, the valley reflects the historical significance of the Second Turkic Khaganate and its enduring legacy in Central Asian history.
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Tip: Visit during late spring to early autumn for favorable weather and accessibility. Booking guided tours in advance is recommended to gain deeper historical context. Entry tickets may offer discounts for students and groups. Prepare for limited on-site facilities and bring essentials such as water and sun protection.
Interesting facts
- •The Orkhon inscriptions are the oldest known written records of a Turkic language.
- •They were carved on stone steles placed on carved stone turtles, symbolizing protection and longevity.
- •The inscriptions include bilingual texts in Old Turkic and Middle Chinese, reflecting cultural exchanges with the Tang dynasty.
- •The script is believed to be derived from or influenced by the Sogdian alphabet, marking a transition from runic to alphabetic writing.
- •The site is located near Ögii Lake and about 80 km north of the Erdene Zuu Monastery.
History
The Orkhon inscriptions were erected in the early 8th century by the Göktürks, a prominent Turkic nomadic empire during the Tang dynasty era.
Discovered in 1889 by Nikolai Yadrintsev's expedition and deciphered by Vilhelm Thomsen in 1893, these inscriptions unveiled the oldest known Turkic script.
The monuments commemorate the brothers Kul Tigin, a military commander, and Bilge Qaghan, a politician, who were descendants of Ilterish Qaghan, the founder of the Second Turkic Khaganate.
Over centuries, the site has remained a vital testament to Turkic heritage and their historical narratives.
Place Guide
Kul Tigin Steleearly 8th century
A memorial stele dedicated to Kul Tigin, a military commander of the Göktürks, featuring inscriptions in Old Turkic and Middle Chinese. The stone slab is mounted on a carved stone turtle and surrounded by a walled enclosure.
Bilge Qaghan Steleearly 8th century
A memorial stele honoring Bilge Qaghan, a Göktürk politician and brother of Kul Tigin. The monument includes inscriptions and carvings such as an ibex, the emblem of Göktürk qaghans, and is similarly mounted on a stone turtle within a walled enclosure.
