Royal Armouries exhibition sheds new light on Genghis Khan and the Mongol Empire

‘Genghis Khan: How the Mongols Changed the World’

Royal Armouries, Leeds

26 June – 1 November 2026

Tickets from £7 (While museum entry remains free, the exhibition is ticketed), under 16s FREE

• Rare artefacts from Mongolia’s national collections, never before seen in the UK, will go on display in Leeds from 26 June 2026 

• The exhibition explores Genghis Khan’s complex legacy, revealing an innovative empire that accelerated advancements in science, medicine and technology

• Children under 16 will be able to see the exhibition for free as part of the Royal Armouries’ commitment to making culture accessible 

A new exhibition exploring the life and legacy of Genghis Khan will open at the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds this summer, bringing 248 rare Mongolian artefacts to the UK for the first time.

‘Genghis Khan: How the Mongols Changed the World’ offers unparalleled insight into one of history’s most influential empires and drawing lessons still relevant to today – from climate change to pandemics, cartography and science.

The touring exhibition brings together 248 rare objects dating from the 1st to the 14th centuries, drawn from Mongolia’s national collections – many of which have never previously left the country. Highlights include ancient saddles, ceramics, inscribed coins and the largest spearhead found in Mongolia. The exhibition also features the stories of those living under Mongol rule, including Genghis Khan’s daughter, Alakai Beki, revealing the significant and surprising power wielded by women in the Mongol Empire.

Alongside the exhibition, the Royal Armouries will run a summer programme which is set to include daily Mongolian horse shows.