Royal Armouries: Exhibition brings Genghis Khan to Leeds

A exhibition explores the rise of Genghis Khan and the Mongol Empire has opened at the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds.

The touring exhibition, which runs until early November 2026, features more than 200 rare Mongolian artefacts and aimsto go beyond the usual story of conquest to reveal a much more complex legacy.

Co-curated by Marie Favereau, historian and critically acclaimed author of “The Horde: How the Mongols Changed the World”, the exhibition offers a fresh perspective which seeks to shift the cultural and academic conversation.

Ongoing archaeology efforts in Mongolia have recently unearthed objects from the 13th and 14th centuries which shed new light on an empire often overlooked. Coins, ceramics, fine textiles and felts, these objects highlight a rich and varied material culture beyond warfare and mobility.

A standout section reveals the remarkable sophistication of trade in the Mongol Empire, which created unprecedented networks of exchange across continents. Among the highlights are 13th-century paper money - used centuries before its adoption in England -and gerege, tablets granting authority for travel, frequently described as an early form of the passport

From religious tolerance and advances in scientific knowledge to the exchange of ideas across vast territories and the influential role of women in Mongol society, visitors are invited to look again at the story they’ve heard before.

Told across six chapters, the exhibition reveals how a nomadic people created a network of exchange and production on a previously unseen scale, connecting regions from China to the Middle East, Africa and Europe – ultimately transforming the course of global history.

The museum hosted a launch event on Wednesday, June 24, with guests including this year’s Race Across the World contestants, Katie and Harrison.

While a quarter of Mongolia's population still lead nomadic lives, over the past two decades, hundreds of thousands have moved into Ulaanbaatar. Now home to half the population, the capital city represents the youthful pulse of modern Mongolia, as experienced by the contestants on this year’s popular BBC show.

Nat Edwards, director general and master of the Royal Armouries, said: “Cutting across ethnic, cultural and religious distinctions, Genghis Khan forged a new political and military force, the like of which had never before been seen. In a moment of vision and commitment, history changed and the balance of power began to shift.”

He added: “Today, the epic story of the Mongol Empire, brought into life through these amazing treasures, feels like something to which we should all pay attention and it’s an honour to bring this exhibition to the Royal Armouries”

‘Genghis Khan: How the Mongols changed the world’ presented at the Royal Armouries is produced by Nomad Exhibitions in association with Nantes History Museum, and in partnership with the Chinggis Khaan National Museum.

Tickets are now on sale - £9 adults, £7 concessions and children under 16 free via the Royal Armouries Museum website. While museum entry remains free, the exhibition is ticketed.

Book tickets: Genghis Khan | Royal Armouries