Mongolia, tortoise monument ruins of the Mongol capital of Karakorum, Upper Orkhon River, founded c.1220 by Ogodei, third son of Genghis Khan. This stone turtle (there are two remaining out of four) is located northwest of the monastry and symbolise eternity and protection. Originally they numbered four, and marked the boundaries of the city of Karakorum. They acted as the basas for inscribed memorial slabs (now missing). The bricks and stones from the ruins of Karakorum were used to build the monumental walls of the Erdene Zuu monastry nearby (and seen in the background here), so in that way the old city lives on.