Ulaanbaatar

Gandantegchinlen Monastery – A major center of Mongolian Buddhism, this monastery was first established in 1809 by order of the 5th Jebtsundamba Khutuktu. Its name means “Great Place of Complete Joy.” The complex features several temples, including the Avalokiteśvara Temple built in 1913, which houses an impressive 26.5 m-high statue of Avalokiteśvara (Migjid Janraisig). The monastery has been revitalized since 1990 and is home to over 150 resident monks.

Sukhbaatar Square (Chinggis Khaan Square) – The heart of Ulaanbaatar, this grand square has been the site of numerous historical events. While officially renamed Chinggis Khaan Square in 2013 and later reverted in 2016, locals still call it Sukhbaatar Square. Dominating its north side is a grand colonnade monument honoring Chinggis Khaan and his descendants Ögedei and Kublai. At the center stands the equestrian statue of Damdin Sukhbaatar, a leader of Mongolia’s 1921 revolution.

Chinggis Khaan museum – is Mongolia’s largest cultural and historical museum, dedicated to the legacy of Genghis Khan and the history of Mongolian empires. Opened in 2022, the nine-story building combines modern architecture with traditional motifs. Inside, the museum houses over 10,000 artifacts, about 90% of which are originals, spanning from the ancient Hunnu and Turkic states to the era of the Great Mongol Empire and its descendants. Exhibits include royal seals, weapons, letters, artworks, and everyday objects that showcase Mongolia’s rich nomadic heritage and global influence. Visitors can explore immersive halls across multiple floors, culminating in a ceremonial hall with a golden statue of Chinggis Khaan.

Winter Palace of the Bogd Khan – Located in southern Ulaanbaatar on the road to Zaisan, the Winter Palace is one of Mongolia’s most important historical landmarks. Built between 1893 and 1903 in a Chinese architectural style, it was one of four residences of the eighth Jebtsundamba Khutughtu, later proclaimed Bogd Khan, the spiritual leader and emperor of Mongolia. Today, it serves as a museum. The palace complex consists of six temples filled with exquisite Buddhist art, including sculptures and thangka paintings. Remarkably, it is among the few historic sites in Mongolia that survived Soviet and Communist destruction. Visitors can see a fascinating collection of the Bogd Khan’s personal belongings: his throne, bed, ornate ceremonial ger, and even a pair of ceremonial boots gifted by Russian Tsar Nicholas II. Other highlights include his art collection, taxidermy exhibits, and jeweled regalia once worn by his pet elephant.

Zaisan Memorial (Zaisan Hill) – Located on a hill in the southern part of Ulaanbaatar, the Zaisan Memorial honors Soviet soldiers who died during World War II. This prominent landmark features a large circular mural that celebrates the historical friendship between Mongolia and the Soviet Union. The mural illustrates key moments shared by the two nations: Soviet support for Mongolia’s independence in 1921, the joint victory over Japan’s Kwantung Army at Khalkhiin Gol in 1939, the defeat of Nazi Germany, and later peacetime achievements, including space exploration such as the Soyuz 39 mission, which carried Mongolia’s first cosmonaut, Jugderdemidiin Gurragchaa. Climbing the steps to the memorial rewards visitors with panoramic views of Ulaanbaatar and the surrounding mountains, making Zaisan Hill both a place of remembrance and one of the city’s most popular viewpoints.