Kharkhorin Rock

The phallic rock statue has dual functions; primarily it is a reminder to the monks to remain celibate, but it is also a symbol of fertility and human life.

As a warning to the other inmate monks of the monastery, a rock in the shape of a penis was prominently engraved as a stone phallus called "Kharkhorin Rock" within walking distance from the monastery, to remind them that they should not be indulging in any sexual activity with the local women.

[3][4] Lonely Planet says that the statue "points erotically to something interestingly called a 'vaginal slope'" which is hidden in a small valley, about 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) to the southeast of Erdene Zuu Monastery.

[5] The river flowing in this basaltic rocky area originates from the Gyatruu range to Kharkhorin soum.

There are also four rocks in the shape of turtles (considered to be symbols of protection and eternity) marking the four cardinal directions of the ancient boundary limits of Karakorum.