Also known as the Cathayan Quarter, due to the large concentration of Chinese craftsmen, this area was inside the outer walls of Kharakorum. It was likely that many of the artisans been conscripted and forced to go to Kharakhorum, at least in the beginning. These artisans were not only from China - William of Rubruck mentions a captive Parisian goldsmith in his 13th century description of his visit to Kharakhorum.

There is archeological evidence of ceramic roof tiles and glazed ceramic floor tiles which would have been produced in Kharakhorum, though finer ceramic utensils were imported from China and elsewhere. Glass beads were made at Kharakhorum and William of Rubruck describes the locally made ornate silver pieces used in the palace. Wool yarn was produced from the Mongolian flocks but silk had to be imported from China.

As the city grew, Mongolian craftsmen would have settled there on their own to take advantage of the ready market for their wares. Very important were the blacksmiths, whose forges were powered with water from a canal connected to the Orkhon River. The Mongolians had long been adept at both forged and cast iron work. They produced household and decorative pieces, arrowheads and the iron wheels and bushings necessary for so much transportation of goods.

Wood carvers, musical instrument makers, leather workers, jewelers, felt makers, needleworkers, and weapons makers all would have found ready employment in Kharakhorum.


Sources:
Lane, George. Daily Life in the Mongol Empire. Greenwood Press, 2006.
Steinhardt, Nancy Shatzman. Chinese Imperial City Planning. University of Hawaii Press, 1990.
Mongolian Arts and Crafts
Silk Road Seattle-Kharakhorum

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