Hi,
I'm planning to go alone to Mongolia for about 5 days next month (september 2012) but I'm wondering if it's worth the trip to visit Kharkhorin/Karakorum/Erdene Zuu Monastery. As far as I know, it was the former capital of the Mongolian Empire so I would like to see something distinctly culturally Mongolian rather than a Buddhist monastery which I have seen plenty in Beijing, Shanghai, Taiwan and even in Japan.
Only 5 days! You will be pushed to get much done in that time - would head off to the national park rather than Kharkhorin if you only have a few days, as although the monastery is different to rest of China etc it is still yet another monastery (I have had my fill of them for the time being)! If you do go there make sure you visit the new museum (think it only opened this year) small but VERY well presented collection.
