What to see in Ulaanbaatar, an itinerary including the main monuments and places of interest, including the Monastery of perfect happiness and the Palace of Culture.
Tourist information
Capital of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar is located on the southwestern side of the Hentej Mountains along the Tuul River, at an altitude of 1150 meters, surrounded by a beautiful valley.
The place where Ulaanbaatar stands today coincided with a large camp of nomads who lived in the typical tents used as homes, Yurts, in Mongolia called Gher, later the city was built in perfect Soviet 1950s style, large buildings and immense streets.
Ulan Bator means red hero, this name was given to her in 1924, in honor of Damdiny Sükhbaatar, hero of the revolution that made Mongolia independent of China to pass under Soviet influence, of which the city retains its indelible imprint.
Although significantly enlarged, Ulan Bator has maintained the same atmosphere over the years of its foundation, wrapped in the steppe wind and surrounded by infinite spaces where nature dominates.
What see
Under Soviet rule almost all monasteries and temples were torn down, Gandantegchinlen Khiid was spared, which means the monastery of perfect happiness.
It is the largest and most frequented monastery in Mongolia populated every day by many monks and faithful, a very fascinating citadel that preserves inside suggestive temples decorated in gold and precious stones.
Bogd Khaan's Winter Palace, built between 1893 and 1903, also survived the destruction and hosted the eighth Bogd Khaan, living Buddha, the last ruler of Mongolia for several years.
On the edge of Ulan Bator there are the traditional Gher, where many of its inhabitants still live.
Various buildings overlook Sükhbaatar Square, the center of the city, including the Palace of Culture, where the National Museum of Mongolian History is located, an interesting testimony of Mongolian culture.
The Museum of Natural History houses important collections, in particular two extraordinary complete dinosaur skeletons found in the Gobi desert.
Recommended readings- Ulan Bator (Mongolia): what to see in the capital
- Mongolia: useful information
In the Museum of Fine Arts Zanabazar there is a beautiful collection of paintings and sculptures, as well as some religious exhibitions.
