Ulaanbaatar city

Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, is located in the valley of Tuul river, between the beautiful mountains and populated with about 800 000 people. Ulaanbaatar is the country’s scientific, education, cultural, political and economic centre. Being an only entry point to the country the city is to be the first spot for tourists to observe. It has plenty of attractions to visit.

Sukhbaatar Square

Sukhbaatar Square is the heart of Ulaanbaatar where the Parliament, the Government House, Stock Exchange and many other important establishments are concentrated. The square is named after Sukhbaatar, the famous patriot, whose statue is the main attraction on this square. Here on the site you will have great opportunity to take good photo session with landmark sceneries and visit State Memorial center with stunning statue of Chinggis Khan and his closest aides on stage.

Gandanteggchilen Monastery

Gandanteggchilen is the biggest and the most important monastery in Mongolia. There are currently 10 datsans and temples operating with 900 monks preaching there. The Gandan Monastery was established on its present location by the 5th Bogd Jebzundamba in 1838. Over the next centuries the monastery grew and became an important center for learning and practicing Buddha’s teachings, not only in Mongolia but for the entire Mahayana Buddhist community. In the 1938, at the time when the communists suppressed religious communities in Mongolia, five temples of the Gandanteggchilen Monastery were destroyed. In 1944 after a petition from several monks, Gandanteggchilen Monastery war reopened but its functions were carried out under the strict supervision of the socialist government.

The Megjid Janraisag

The Megjid Janraisag statue od Buddha was built to commemorate the independence from Manchu proclaimed in 1911. Unfortunately, the magnificent Megjid Janraisig was destroyed in the late 1930’s, dissembled and transported to the Russia for manufacturing cartridges during the WWII. Historians still could find some parts of this relict art in museums in Russia. After the fall of the communist regime in Mongolia the people started a campaign for rebuilding of the Megjid Janraisag. Fully on people’s donations the statue was rebuilt and become once again the main praying point representing Mongolia’s sovereignty. The huge Megjid Janraisig statue riches 26.5 meters high, and weights about 90 tons. 8.6kg of gold, 25kg of silver, 20 tons of copper, 27 tons of steel, 15 tons of chalk, 30 tons of cement and 2100 precious stones were used to make it. 1000 small statues of Ayush god were made to sit aside.

Zaisan Memorial

Located to the south of Ulaanbaatar, Zaisan Hill Memorial was erected on the occasion of 50th anniversary of Mongolia Independence and honors the Soviet and Mongolian soldiers who died in WWII in the fight against Japan and Nazi Germany. Next to the monumental statue of the soldier, a mosaic composition on a large circular panel in reinforced concrete illustrates the theme of friendship between Mongol and Soviet peoples. In the center of it a large granite bowl holds an eternal flame. The Memorial provides impressive view over the whole capital city. Art shopping is also available on the site.

National History Museum

The National History Museum is stunning museum with its collection of Mongolian historical ethnographical and cultural objects (about 48.000 items), dating back to 750.000 years ago to the end of the 20th century. The museum was first established in 1924 with an aim of intruding the history, culture and natural environment of Mongolia to its visitors.

Natural History Museum

In the Natural History Museum, there are department of Geography, Geology, Flora and Fauna, and Paleontology. Diplas as stuffed and embalmed animals including the rare Gobi bear and wild camel, birds and fish will give you a good idea about the rich fauna of Mongolia. The most impressive is a Paleontology section. There are petrified eggs and bones of many dinosaurs that lived in the Gobi desert 60-70 million years ago and two complete skeletons of the flesh-eating giant Tarbosaurus and the duck-biled Sauroophus. Petrified bones of 5 kinds of dinosaurs out of 7 that are know today have been discovered in Mongolia.

Bogd Khaan Palace Museum

The museum is Mongolia’s important historical architectural monument. The monastery assembly consists of 7 temples, 20 small and big gates, a small two-story European style house, and surrounding brick and wooden fences. The temples were built during 1893 -1903 for the Eight Bogd Javzan Damba. Today this is museum that contains belongings and objects related to Bogd Khaan’s life and religious activities. The big gate in the middle was built when the Eight Bogd Khaan was proclaimed the Head of the Buddhists and the Head of the State. Mongolian carpenters built this masterpiece without a single nail and used 108 notches. There is also an excellent collection of the 17-20th centuries traditional Mongolian paintings, thangkas, appliqués etc… in the temples. The collection of religious musical instrument used in Bogd Khaan’s palace during the ceremonies are also at display.

Choijin Lama Museum

This architectureal ensemble consists of four temples, the main and supplementary gate, a tall blue brick fence, a wooden ger and wooden fences. The temples were built around 1904-1908 for the brother of the 8th Bogd Gegeen, Choijin Lama Luvsanhaidav. The temples contain impressive collections of thangkas, tsam masks, wooden and bronze statues, appliqués and papier-mâché of various gods, all made by Mongolian artists at the end of the 19th century. The interior and exterior of the temples are richly decoreated with various small statues and masterly carved religious scenes.

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