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Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, is located in north-central Mongolia on
the Tuul river. The pine-covered mountains, wide boulevards, squares, parks and
ger communities, which surround the central Monastery and cover slopes north of
the city, combine to give the city a spacious, rustic charm.
In 1639 an influential Khalkha lord Thuseet Khan Gombodorj elevated his son
Zanabazar of 5 years to the head of the buddhist religion in Mongolia and in his
honour a nomadic town was named Urga. The name of this town subsequently changed
several times: Nomyn Ikh Khurye, Da Khurye, Bogdyn Khurye and after the State
Independence- Niislel Khurye. From 1639 for about 140 years it was a migrant
city moving from place to place until it became settled finally in 1778 in its
present location. Legend tells that the town is situated on the northern side of
Khangai mountain, on the bank of the Tuul river, among the hills of the fresh
river Selbe, in the hollow of the stone tomb. Indeed in this place there was a
stone man since Turkish period. Later the Khan mountain was declared as a
national protected area and was renamed Bogdo-Uul. The word 'Bogdo' means
saintor wise, hence the symbolism of the name of the mountain. The highest point
which is the Tsetsegun peak, being 2257 metres above sea level.
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After the victory of the People's Revolution, the first Great People's
Congress was held in 1924, at which the Mongolian People's Republic was
proclaimed, and the city was renamed Ulaanbaatar in honour of Sukhbaatar, a hero
of the revolution, thus inaugurating a new era in the history of the development
of the town.
Mostly described, as sunny, peaceful and open, Ulaanbaatar is a city of
contrast where modern life comfortably blends with Mongolian traditional
lifestyle. From the master plans for the town's development were elaborated and
approved, as a result of which Ulaanbaatar has become a city beyond recognition
from its former self. Industrial enterprises, residential areas, cultural and
service centers have been built and today the capital has 800,000 inhabitants,
75% of them being under 35 years of age.
Places in Ulaanbaatar
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Gandan Monastery
Gandan is the largest and most significant monastery in Mongolia and one of
Ulaanbaatar’s most interesting sights. This historic monastery, founded in the
17th century, it is the only monastery where Buddhist services continued during
the communist years. Spectacular religious ceremonies that are open to the
public are held throughout the year. Most important part of a monastery is the
Megjid Janraiseg temple.
The Megjid Janraiseg Temple
The temple was built in 1911 – 1912 to celebrate the end of Manchu domination
and, it is said, to heal the Bogd Gegeen from blindness. It is in a mixed
Chinese and Tibetan style and inside is the 25.6 meter and 20 ton
Avalokiteshvara-Janraiseg statue. The deity was consecrated in 1996, is hollow
and contains a storehouse of precious items including sutras, medicinal herbs,
bundles of Buddhist mantras and even a fully furnished ger. The statue was built
with donations of Mongolian people as symbol of Buddhist revival in the mid
1990’s.
Fine Arts Museum
Zanabazar Museum of Fine Art was founded in 1966. Visitors can enjoy works of
Mongolia's famous artists, and sculptors who lived before or in the early 20th
century. Sculptures by Mongolia's first Bogd Khaan and famous sculptor Zanabazar
("Five Gods" and "Taras"), as well as appliques and sculptures in wood and stone
by talented Mongolian craftsmen are among the 10 thousand exhibits of the
museum. 25 of the 45 most precious works of art created by Mongolia's artists
can be found in the museum.
The Zanabazar Museum of Fine Arts has an excellent collection of paintings,
carvings and sculptures, including many by the revered sculptor and artist
Zanabazar. It also contains other rare - and sometimes old - religious exhibits
such as scroll paintings (thangka) and Buddhist statues, representing the
best display of its kind in Mongolia. A bonus is that most of the exhibit
captions in the museum are in English.
At the top of the stairs is a glass folder with a detailed explanation of
Zanabazar and his work. There are some fine examples of the sculptor's work
including five Dhyani, or Contemplation, Buddhas (cast in 1683) and Tara in her
21 manifestations.
Also worth checking out are the wonderful tsam masks (worn by monks
during religious ceremonies) and the intricate paintings, One Day in
Mongolia and The Airag Feast, by renowned artist В. Sharav. These
depict almost every aspect of nomadic life. The ground floor has some copies of
portraits of the great khaans (kings) and some 7th century Turkic stone
carvings.
Museum of Natural History
Located near the city center the museum displays exhibits on the geography,
geology, botany, fauna and paleontology of Mongolia. Among the treasures on
display are 800 objects from the lower Cambrian Age (500 million years ago) to
the Quaternary Age (10,000 to 15,000 years ago), including fossils of
vertebrates, plants, leaf prints, dinosaurs and mammals. The specimens of
dinosaur skeletons and bones vary in size from a few centimeters to over 30
meters tall, and several are to be found only in Mongolia.
National History Museum
The museum houses a rich collection of historical and ethnographic
exhibitions dating back to the period when first human beings resided in Central
Asia. It has displays on several millennia of the history of Mongolia –
beginning with the Stone Age, running through the Turkic and Mongol empires, the
rise of Buddhism, the communist regime and ends with a colorful display of
contemporary society.
Sukhbaatar Square
This large and famous landmark is the heart of Ulaanbaatar where the
Parliament, the Government House, Stock Exchange and many other important
establishments are concentrated. It is named after Sukhbaatar, the famous
patriot, whose statue is the main attraction on this square.
Bogdo Khaan Winter Palace
Built between 1893 and 1903, the Winter Palace of Bogd Khan was the home of
the Mongolia’s last king Javzun Damba Khutagt VIII. This complex of temples and
houses contains a number of Buddhist artworks and the private collection of the
Bogd Khan, composed of gifts from rulers and kings from all over the world. The
artworks displayed here were made by the top Mongolian, Tibetan and Chinese
master-sculptors of the 18th and 19th centuries and represent the gods of the
Buddhist pantheon.
War Memorial of Zaisan
There is an opportunity to see the Zaisan Memorial, dedicated for the memory
of Russian soldiers, as well as, taking photos of Ulaanbaatar and the
surrounding nature as this tall landmark offers the best views of the capital.
Located to the south of Ulaanbaatar, Zaisan Memorial was erected on the 50th
anniversary of the Communist Revolution and honors the Soviet and Mongolian
soldiers who died in WWII in the fight against Japan and Nazi Germany.
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Excursions
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Amarbayasgalant Monastery
The second largest monastery in Mongolia, the ‘Monastery of Tranquil
Felicity’, is located near the Selenge River. The Manchu emperor Yongzheng built
the monastery between 1727 and 1737, and dedicated it to Zanabazar, Mongolia’s
first Bogd Gegen and a famous artist and the inventor of the vertical Mongolian
script. Amarbayasgalant Monastery was one of the few monasteries in Mongolia to
survive the purges of the 1930s mostly intact, although many religious items
were looted by the communists. Restoration of this historic site began in 1975,
and was completed in 1998. There are currently around 50 monks living in the
monastery. The nearby Burengiin mountain range and surrounding fields of grass
and wildflowers make this one of the most attractive destinations in Mongolia.
Visitors to Amarbayasgalant praise the beauty of the complex and the surrounding
area, which is perfect for camping.
Lake Hagyn Har
Lake Hagyn Har (Black of Hag) is a remote lake located hidden in the interior
deep forests of the Khan Khentii Strictly Protected Area, in the Hentii
wilderness northeast from Ulaanbaatar and, is easily reached by helicopter from
Ulaanbaatar. The lake is Mongolia's only true wilderness in the sense that it is
completely devoid of people and domestic animals. It is the realm of wolfs,
moose, red deer, gazelle, wild boar, lynx, brown bear etc and we will not meet
any people for most part of the journey. The Tuul River originates close to
Hagyn Har and it eventually finds it course via Ulaanbaatar and drains out to
the north to the Selenge River which in turn feeds Lake Baikal with two thirds
of its water, which in turn empties in the Arctic Ocean. A couple of kilometers
away the Herlen River originates, and it belongs to the Pacific drainage basin.
It is located within the taiga lifezone and located near the watershed point of
Asian Rivers whereof some drains out north to the Arctic Ocean, others to the
east out into the Pacific Ocean. There is plenty to be seen and explored,
including the rocky mountains, meadows and, what a surprise, sand dunes.
Terelj National Park
Terelj is the most popular destination in the third biggest protected area in
Mongolia, the Khan Khentii Protected Area. This is the motherland of Chinggis
Khan, and contains numerous important historical and cultural sites. Three major
river systems have their sources in the protected area; the Tuul River, which
flows into Russia’s Lake Baikal and continues to the Arctic Ocean, and the Onon
and Kherlen rivers, which flow east to join the Amur before emptying into the
Pacific Ocean. Over 1,150 species of plants, characteristic of both taiga and
steppe, have been identified. Over 50 mammal species, 253 species of birds and
34 species of fish make their home in the Khan Khentii Protected Area. Situated
80km northeast of Ulaanbaatar, Terelj is famous for its unique granite rock
formations and pristine alpine scenery, and is a popular destination for
tourists based in the capital and for Mongolians on weekend trips. The park lies
at an altitude of 1600m and offers activities such as hiking, river rafting,
horseback riding, skiing and rock climbing. Terelj is a landscape of transition
from Siberian taiga forest to grass steppe. In spring and summer the lush
meadows are carpeted with wildflowers, and the mountain pine forests and broad
streams make this one of the most beautiful areas in Mongolia.
Manzshir Monastery
Manzshir Monastery overlooks a beautiful valley of streams and pine, birch
trees, dotted with granite boulders. Established in 1733, and monastery had over
20 temples and was once home to at least 300 monks. There is a base ger camp at
Ondor Dov , conveniently located a few miles from Manzshir Monastery. The
surrounding area is a typical steppe zone and horseback rides can be easily
arranged. There are ample opportunities to explore the nomad's lifestyle and
sample airag, the fermented mare's milk which is traditional nomad beverage.
This place is also ideal for trekking and hiking. Excursions to Mt. Bogdo
National Park via Zuun Mod Entrance can be easily combined with stays at Ondor
Dov camp.
Hustain Nuruu National Park
The 90.000 hectare Hustain Huruu Natural Reserve, set 60 miles southwest of
Ulaanbaatar, is home to herds of Takhi or Przjevalski horses, the world's only
naturally surviving wild horses, recently re-introduced to the region.
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