|
 ULAANBAATAR
- The capital city
The capital of Mongolia finally settled on its
present site in 1778.
Territory of the Capital Ulaanbaatar city occupies 470,444
hectares of land, covering areas of the mountain ranges in
the tributary basin of the Tuul river west bank, and the Tolgotiin
Nuruu range to the north and Bogd Khan mountain. Holy mountains
surround it; the Bogd Uul Mountain to the south, the Songino
Mountain to the west, the Bayanzurkh Mountain to the east
and the Chingeltei Mountain to the north.
Ulaanbaatar situates 1,250-2,000 meters high
above sea-level.
The population of Ulaanbaatar – the administrative,
political, economic, cultural and scientific center of the
country – is 800,000 inhabitants. The livestock around
the capital totals 270,200 heads.
The city has the only international airport in the country
and the Trans-Siberian railway crosses Mongolia from north
to south, stopping in Ulaanbaatar, connecting Moscow and Beijing.
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.
 Gandan
Monastery
Gandan is the largest and most significant monastery in Mongolia
and one of Ulaanbaatar’s most interesting sights. Built
in the mid 19th century, it is the only monastery where Buddhist
services continued during the communist years. Temples are
flocked by visitors during religious services that start at
10 a.m. and last until mid day.
The Megjid Janraiseg Temple
Most important part of a monastery is 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.
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. A special gallery exhibits
the clothing and accessories of Mongolia’s 20-odd ethnic
groups. The ethnographic section features a furnished ger
(yurt) and a collection of saddles.
The Natural History Museum
Located near the city center the museum displays exhibits
on the geology, zoology, botany, anthropology, 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.
The Museum of Fine Arts
Named after the pre-eminent religious leader and artist of
the 17th century, the highlights of this museum include the
four Buddha sculpted by Zanabazar, a mandala done in silver
and gold threads and pearl beads, and the painting “One
Day in Mongolia”, attributed to the artist Sharav.
 Choijin
Lama Monastery
This complex of temples was built between 1904 and 1908;
this museum was originally a temple for the younger brother
of the last Bogd Haan, the political and religious leader
of Mongolia. This is the only museum where all religious
objects are kept ready for Buddhist chanting ceremonies
and this is why it is called a temple museum. The museum
is famous for its collection of Buddhist artworks, original
silk icons and tsam dancing masks.
The Art Gallery
Founded in 1990, this large gallery features 20th century
art, primarily paintings. The most important works include
“Stallions Fighting” by Tsevegjav, “Black
Camel” by Sengetsokhio, and “The Tale of the Great
Horse” by Tengicbold. One gallery is devoted to Mongol
Zurag, or traditional Mongolian painting.
Opera and Theaters
The Drama Theater or Opera /Ballet House and State Circus
offers a fascinating array of folk shows, national or classic
opera and ballet, and amazing contortionist performances.
 Winter
Palace of Bogd Khan
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. Inside the home is the Bogd Haan’s
ornate ger covered with snow leopard skins. The main gate
to the temple was made without a single nail.
Zaisan Memorial
Located to the south of Ulaanbaatar, Zaisan Hill 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. Next to the monumental
statue of the soldier, a mosaic composition on a large circular
panel in reinforced concrete illustrates the theme of friendship
between Mongol and Soviet peoples. In the center of it a large
granite bowl holds an eternal flame. A good view can be had
over the capital.
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