Travel to mongolia Destination Highlights

ULAANBAATAR

 Travel to mongolia Destination Highlights

ULAANBAATAR

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ULAANBAATAR

Ulaanbaatar is Mongolia`s capital city, a home to at least one third of the nation`s total population of 3 million. It is over elevated around 1500 meters above sea level. Located in the banks of the long river Tuul that runs from East to West, a valley with many pine trees, crested mountain range and gentle hills, Mongolia`s capital is a compact and busily modernizing metropolis. Due to predominant nomadic lifestyle, Mongolians changed the locations and name of the capital city more than 20 times before finally settling in the current location and naming it Ulaanbaatar. The permanent buildings consisted of some one hundred monasteries and temples in the early twentieth century.With the exception of Gandantegchilen (Gandan) monastery, the Choijin Lama temple, the Bogd King Palace, Gesar and Dambadarjaa monasteries, most do not remain today. Three skyscrapers dominate the down town including Shangri-La and Blue sky hotels. Even though Mongolia is in Asia, there is very much a European feel to the capital. Every bit of signage-including huge flashing overhead lights boxed, TV screens and billboards,shopping centers and malls with international brands and local cashmere products are all within reach. The capital city is the hub for international and domestic flights and a major stop on the Trans-Mongolian Railway between Beijing and Moscow.

There are numerous restaurants where you can enjoy all types of foods and cuisine including Mongolian, European, Thai, Korean and Japanese restaurants as well as American grills etc. Variety of dishes are available for vegetarian, gluten free and halal meat consumers. Mongolians are very sociable, and don`t mind to have a drink and enjoy an after-hour leisure. As the working day ends, restaurants and bars pump out a Western and Mongolian music that fills the open-air terraces and beer gardens in the summer.

Recently in heart of the Ulaanbaatar City, Night Street has opened where you can enjoy local music, street food and wandering around during the summer time.

Chinggis Khaan (formerly Buyan-Ukhaa) is the main airport that functions as the hub for domestic and international flights operated by the major airlines that includes MIAT, Korean Air, Air China, Turkish Airline, Aeroflot, Hunnu Air and Aero Mongolia. A new international airport will be completed in 2018 at Khoshig Valley (http://www.nubia.mn/), some 50 km from the city that could open and even wider gate to the World.

THE NATIONAL HISTORY MUSEUM

The National History Museum is a must for anyone who is interested in seeing the comprehensive history of Mongolia. Beginning from the Stone Age, the museum chronicles Mongolian history from the early Hun dynasty to the Mongol empire, the rise of Buddhism and the communist period. It ends with a colorful display of the contemporary society. Almost all the exhibits are labelled both in English and Mongolian. All the exhibits such as the tools used by early homo-sapiens were all found and excavated from Mongolia. The chamber dedicated to the Mongol empire have rich exhibits that include ancient texts, weapons and a wax statue of Chinggis Khaan. The museum also houses a large hall where the traditional dresses and accessories of all the ethnic groups are placed. Outside the museum, the large modern sculpture is a memorial for the victims of the 1930s political repression. The museum certainly has much to offer about the country’s history.

GANDANTEGCHILEN MONASTERY

Gandanis the largest and one of the most importantmonastery in Mongolia. Built in the mid-19th century, it is the only monastery that was unharmed during the political repression against religion during the communist times. Also, its surrounding is the place where the old town was located that has still been preserved. The gers,hidden behind fences, are set up around the monastery like a ring. The full name Gandantegchilen, translates as ‘The great place of complete joy’.The most important part of the monastery is Megjid Janraiseg temple, which was built between 1911-1912 to celebrate the end of Manchu domination in Mongolia. Inside the temple is a 25 meter and 20-ton statue of Megjid Janraiseg that is a masterpiece of religious art and a strong devotional passion remains among senior Mongolians. The university at Gandan monastery was at one time much larger than its current size. It specialized in several fields of teaching, including astrology and divination, philosophy and theology, mathematics, and medicine etc. Lastly, it is such a peaceful place to explore unique part of the city and get to know about Mongolian Buddhism.

ZANABAZAR MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS

A visit to the two-storey Russian Style building,Zanabazarmuseum is a real highlight with a large collection of artworks, sculptures, and paintings. The best sections are on Mongolian traditional religious art such as tangkas, embroideries and tsam masks and, of course the 17th century bronze works and paintings of the famous Zanabazar, Mongolia`s first theocratic leader. On views of his great works are White Tara (Sita Tara) represented as a young girl, a Green Tara (Siama Tara) and many more…

BOGD KHAAN PALACE MUSEUM

The Bogd Khaan Palace Museum is another old survivor, although only completed in 1903, a triumphal arch was added in 1912 to celebrate the end of Manchu rule. Also known as Winter Palace, this large complex of a two-storey Russian style house was the winter home of Mongolia`s last theocratic leader, the Bogd Khaan, and the last in line for the incarnation started with Zanabazar, when Mongolia declared its independence in 1911. The complex contains many of the Bogd Khaan`s treasures, including many gifts from other kings, emperors, and foreign political figures (Russia, Tibet, and Manchuria etc). On both levels of the house, visitors will see the personal collection of the stuffed animals of the Bogd Khaan and the strangest exhibits might be the giraffe-odd because a section was taken out to shorten its neck as it was too tall to fit into the room. The entry into the Bogd Khaan Palace‘s main temple is located in a lovely landscape and impressive from all angles.

CHOIJIN LAMA TEMPLE MUSEUM

A lovely old temple garden out in front of the Choijin Lama Temple Museum is one of the real gems of Ulaanbaatar. The temple was built between 1904- 08 that included a complex of classic example of Buddhist Architecture with its blend of Tibetan and Chinese influences. This was a home of Luvsan Haidav Choijin Lama, the brother of Mongolia`s last theocratic leader, Bogd Khaan. The temple contains many Buddhist treasures, including paintings, sculptures, embroideries and Tsam dance costumes and masks from the 10th to 20th centuries. The temple`s guides are well informed and certainly essential to unlocking the large wooden doors of the other halls. Each of the halls are equally spread out. The west of main temple is a more conventional temple dedicated to the Buddha`s Past, Present and Future. Don`t be rushed, as a visit would be an impressive introduction to the Mongolian version of Tibetan Buddhism. 

ZAISAN HILL

Heading south of Ulaanbaatar City on Zaisan Street, a bridge would cross over the gravel-strewn Tuul river, its banks covered in willow trees would lead to Zaisan Hill at the base of Bogd Khaan Mountain. From Zaisan Hill, you can have a panoramic view of the city. The surrounding nature is well worth the long climb up the stairs. Zaisan Hill stands as a memorial to the Mongolian and Russian soldiers who died during WWII. Next to the hill, the large, gold-colored Megjid Janraiseg Statue, a Buddhist deity, was erected in 2005 and the surrounding park is named Buddha Park. By looking north toward the city, you would be able to locate the famous Gandan Monastery across the wide valley.

PALEONTOLOGICAL MUSEUM

AND HUNNU MALL

A very recent and only museum for Mongolian Paleontology and dinosaur skeletons is thePaleontological Museum, located in a new mall of Hunnu. There are over 50 exhibits of fossilized dinosaur bones and eggs that are all were found from Mongolia. Also in the Hunnu Mall,a big Dinosaur Skeleton stands in the main hall. In the mall you can buy a variety of Mongolian souvenirs plus any other item you were looking for. Cinema and a food court are readily available in the mall. Link to Hunnu Mall.

RELATED TOUR TO EXPLORE ULAANBAATAR CITY

Sightseeing of the City of Ulaanbaatar and its surrounding
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