Discover 5 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Mongolia. Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: Choijin Lama Temple (Ulaanbaatar), Sükhbaatar Square (Ulaanbaatar) or The Fine Arts Zanabazar Museum (Ulaanbaatar).
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Mongolia.
Table of Contents
Choijin Lama Temple, Ulaanbaatar
Also known as: Чойжин ламын сүм музей
Historic, art-filled Buddhist monastery. The Choijin Lama Temple is a Buddhist monastery in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia.
The complex consists of six temples originally occupied by the brother of the ruler the Eighth Bogd Jetsun Dampa Khan, Choijin Lama Luvsankhaidav, who was the state oracle and 'Precious Wisdom and Clear Devotion' Khutugtu at the time. The complex was begun in 1904 and completed in 1908, in honor of the State Oracle Lama Lubsanhaidub /Losang Kedrup/, brother of the eighth Bogd Khan. The Choijin Lama Museum was originally a Buddhist temple complex, consisting of one main and five branch temples. It was active until 1937, when it was closed during the height of Communist repression against Buddhism and other religious traditions. In 1938 the complex was re-established as museum due to skillful efforts of wise people. This was how it was saved throughout communism.
The main temple features an 18th-century gilt statue of Buddha Sakyamuni with a statue of Choijin Lama Luvsankhaidav on the Buddha's right and the embalmed corpse of Baldan Choephel on his left. In addition, the temple boasts a copious collection of religious instruments, thangka paintings, silk embroideries, wood carvings, statues, and a biggest collection of cham dance masks).
The annex to the temple contains another temple, named 'Zankhang' and a central square in which Choijin Lama Luvsankhaidav performed Oracle trance rituals.
The Zuu Temple, dedicated to the Buddha Shakyamuni features papier-mache sculptures of Buddha in the past, present, and future. The 16 arhat disciples of Buddha appear on the temple walls with four Maharajas protectors shown sitting in caves on either side of the door.
The Yidam Temple was used as a place of prayer by Choijin Lama Luvsankhaidav, and therefore closed to the public. Now, it is open to public for sightseeing. In its center is a gilt bronze sculpture of one of the 84 Indian yogis, or Mahasiddha. Also depicted are the tantric gods Kalacakra, Mahamaya, Vajradhara and others with their shakti or consorts in postures of meditation that symbolize power and strength.
The fourth temple, the temple of amugulang or peace, is dedicated to the first Mongolian reincarnation of Boghda Jevzundamba, Undur Gegeen Zanabazar, (1635-1724).
- Choijin Lama Temple
Address: Jamiyan Gun Street, 14210 Ulaanbaatar
Sükhbaatar Square, Ulaanbaatar
Also known as: Сүхбаатарын талбай
Central square with monuments. Sükhbaatar Square is the central square of Mongolia's capital Ulaanbaatar. The square was named for Mongolian's revolutionary hero Damdin Sükhbaatar after his death in 1923. The square's name was changed to Chinggis Square in 2013 in honor of Genghis Khan, considered the founding father of Mongolia, but the original name was restored in 2016. The center of the plaza features an equestrian statue of Damdin Sükhbaatar, while a large colonnade monument dedicated to Genghis Khan, as well as to Ögedei Khan and Kublai Khan, dominates the square's north face directly in front of the Saaral Ordon.[2]
Address: Peace Avenue, 210248 Улаанбаатар
The Fine Arts Zanabazar Museum, Ulaanbaatar
Museum in Ulan Bator, Mongolia. The Fine Arts Zanabazar Museum is an art museum located in Ulaanbaatar, capital of Mongolia, and founded in 1966. It exhibits collections of Mongolian masters of fine arts from the 18th to the 20th century and works in cooperation with the UNESCO for improving the presentation of its collections.[3]
Address: Sambuu St, Ulaanbaatar
Mongolian Military Museum, Ulaanbaatar
Museum in Ulan Bator, Mongolia. The Mongolian Military Museum also known as the Museum of the Mongolian Armed Forces, is located in northern Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. It explains Mongolian military history dating back to the Mongol Empire. It is currently located across from an army barracks. The museum is part of the Ministry of Defense.[4]
Winter Palace of the Bogd Khan, Ulaanbaatar
Also known as: Богд хааны ордон музей
Museum in Ulan Bator, Mongolia. The Winter Palace of the Bogd Khan, or the Bogd Khan Palace Museum, is a museum complex located in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. It was the Green Palace of the eighth Jebtsundamba Khutughtu, who was later proclaimed Bogd Khan, or ruler of Mongolia. Alongside being the oldest museum, it is also considered as one with the biggest collection in Mongolia. The palace is the only one left from originally four residences of the Bogd Khan.
Built between 1893 and 1903, the complex is one of the few Mongolian historical attractions which have neither been destroyed by the Soviets or the Communist forces. With the Winter Palace, the Gate of Peace and Happiness, the Cooling Pavilion as well as 6 temples, each containing Buddhist artwork, scripture and thangka, such as Naidan Temple and Makhranz Temple, the palace complex consists of a total of about 20 structures. The museum has about 8,600 exhibits and receives over 40,000 visitors annually. On display are many of the Bogd Khan's possessions, such as his throne and bed, his collection of art and stuffed animals, his ornate ceremonial ger, a pair of ceremonial boots given to the Khan by Russian Tsar Nicholas II, and also a jewelled regalia worn by the Bogd Khan's pet elephant. It currently runs its operations under the Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Sports of Mongolia.[5]
Address: Bogd Javzandamba Street, Ulaanbaatar