On April 15, 2025, Prime Minister Luvsannamsrai Oyun-Erdene traveled to the heart of Mongolia. He visited the fast-growing Kharkhorum City development site. This planned city lies in the Orkhon Valley, where the Great Mongol Empire once stood.
The project spans 189,000 hectares. It covers areas in both Arkhangai and Uvurkhangai provinces. The plan includes Khotont, Khashaat, and Ogiinuur soums in Arkhangai, and Kharkhorin soum in Uvurkhangai. During the visit, officials presented the city’s detailed Master Plan to the Prime Minister.
According to the plan, Kharkhorum City development will accommodate 500,000 residents. The site will also feature a 4E-class international airport. In addition, the blueprint includes a 4,800-hectare transport and logistics hub, an agricultural zone, and a tourism district near Lake Ugii.
To support the project, the President of Mongolia issued a decree. Parliament and the Government followed with several resolutions. Furthermore, the Government’s 2024–2028 Action Program includes the Kharkhorum City development as a top priority.
Planners told the Prime Minister they will allocate half the city’s area for green space. They will also use renewable energy during the first stage. They hope these features make Kharkhorum a model of sustainability. They also believe the city can become a major economic hub in central Mongolia.
However, the project faces challenges. Teams need to speed up excavation and research work at the ruins of ancient Kharkhorum. These ruins lie near the planned development and hold deep historical value.
Infrastructure remains another hurdle. The government must secure funding for several key projects. These include a 6-lane, 101.7 km highway from Ulaanbaatar to Lun. A second 4-lane, 189.6 km highway will connect Lun to Kharkhorin. They also plan a new railway from Ulaanbaatar to the new city.
With strong leadership and national support, the vision for Kharkhorum City continues to move forward.
