Mongolia | Bulgan Aimag | Khitan Fort

The Khitan, a prot0-Mongolian people originally from what is now Manchuria, ruled much of northern China and Mongolia as the Liao Dynasty from 907 to 1125. The ruins of one of their outposts, at the very western edge of their empire, can be seen in Bulgan Aimag at N47º53.262 - E103º53.685.

Ruins of the fortress

Well-preserved walls of the Khitan fortress

Gate of the fortress

Fortress wall

Detail of construction - the walls stood up well for over 1000 years

The Khitan were staunch Buddhists. This relatively well-preserved stupa near the fortress is one of the oldest, if not the oldest, remaining Buddhist monument in Mongolia.