Orkhon River

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Orkhon river in Mongolia

Ulaan Tsutgalan waterfall

The Orkhon River (Mongolian: Орхон гол, Orkhon gol) is a river in Mongolia. It rises in the Khangai Mountains of Arkhangai Aimag and flows northwards for 1,124 km (698 miles) before joining the Selenga River, which flows north into Russia and Lake Baikal. The Orkhon is exactly 100 km longer than the Selenge, making it the longest river in Mongolia. Major tributaries of the Orkhon river are the Tuul River and Tamir River.

There are two sets of ancient ruins along the river valley: Khar Balgas, the ancient capital of the Uyghur Kingdom and Karakorum, the ancient capital of the Mongol Empire. Pyotr Kuzmich Kozlov found several Hunnic Imperial tombs in the area of the river valley.

The Orkhon river features the Ulaan Tsutgalan waterfall, ten meters wide and twenty meters high. The waterfall is a popular destination for tourists. Fish in the Orkhon river include pike, carp, perch and catfish.

UNESCO lists the Orkhon Valley as a World Heritage Site.