Tövkhön Monastery is one of the great side trips from Karakorum for travelers willing to work a little. Founded by Zanabazar in the 17th century, it sits high in the wooded Shiveet Ulaan mountains and feels more like a retreat than a monumental complex.
Getting there usually means rough roads and a final walk or ride, so it is not a casual add-on after Erdene Zuu. The payoff is a mix of mountain air, Buddhist history, and a sense of solitude that fits the Orkhon Valley better than any quick roadside stop.