Historic places in Ulaanbaatar

14 historic buildings, sites and memorials in Ulaanbaatar.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.

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Bogd Khan Winter Palace Museum
Богд хааны ордон музей
Built between 1893 and 1903 by Mongolian masters, this palace was dedicated to the VIII Bogd Gegeen, head of Tibetan Buddhism and Khan of Mongolia from 1911 until 1924 (the last three years of which were as a constitutional monarch). Upon his death, the palace became the first national historical museum of Mongolia. The museum contains twelve collections showcasing valuable objects and works of art from the 17th to early 20th centuries (notable among which are gilded bronze sculptures by the first Bogd Javzundamba Zanabazar and his school, 19th- and 20th century thangka paintings, a Jugder painting of Ulaanbaatar in 1912, and works by modern Mongolian painter B. Sharav), as well as personal possessions of the Khan and his wife, Queen Dondogdulam..
Closed · opens 10 amAdmission 8000₮, 50,000₮ photography fee
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Chinggis Khaan National Museum
Чингис хаан Үндэсний музей
This modern museum covers the broad sweep of Mongolian imperial history from early tribal kingdoms up to the beginning of the era of domination by China. There are some English-language explanations, and QR codes for everything else.
09:00-17:00, closed on Mondays during the winter period (1 October to 15 May)Adult 30000₮, student/senior/child/disabled 15000₮
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Choijin Lama Monastery
Чойжин ламын сүм
These five temples and five arched gates are a unique showcase of religious art and the history of Buddhism in Mongolia, a gem of 20th century Mongolian cultural heritage, and a fine example of Buddhist architecture. The monastery was active until 1938, was inscribed in 1941 on the list of historical and cultural monuments, and became a museum the following year. In the main temple you'll find the sculpture of the Choijin Lama and the embalmed mummy of his teacher, as well as the great coral mask of Begtse, created under the direction of protectors using over 6,000 pieces of coral. Elsewhere in the complex, Yadam Temple and Amgalan Temple contain rare artifacts made by the famous Mongolian artist and sculptor, Zanabazar.
Daily 09:00-19:30 in summer, closed on Sundays and Mondays during winter8000₮, students 3000₮, children 1500₮, photography fee 50,000₮
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Gandantegchinlen Monastery
Gandantegchinlen Khiid or Gandan Monastery
The main monastery in the city has services around 10:00 every morning. It is one of the few monasteries in the country that were spared during the Communist purges of the 1930s.
4000₮
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Mongolia National Broadcaster
монголын үндэсний телевиз
Mongolia's national public broadcaster, operating television and radio services. The headquarters houses its main studios and broadcasting facilities. Access to the building may be restricted and generally requires prior permission or an invitation. It is a recognizable landmark associated with the country's radio and television history. The building has a distinctive Soviet-era appearance, with a large rooftop sign and broadcasting tower that make it stand out in the area. While the interior is generally not open to casual visitors, the exterior may be of interest to visitors interested in media history, urban architecture, or photography.
Closed · opens 9 amby invitation only
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Mongolian Theatre Museum
A performing arts museum founded in 1991 presenting the history of Mongolian film and theatre..
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National Amusement Park
Үндэсний соёл амралтын хүрээлэн
Open since 1969, the park today features a steel roller coaster, a Ferris wheel and a castle surrounded by an artificial lake.
Daily 11:00-19:00 year roundFree, pay per ride only
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National Museum of Mongolia
Монголын Үндэсний музей
This museum holds the most important artifacts of Mongolia's rich history dating back several thousand years. These include ethnographic displays of various Mongolian tribes, petroglyphs and cave drawings, Turkic monuments, weapons, armor, and various displays from the various eras of Mongolian history: the Hun and Mongol Empires, Chinese rule, the Communist era, and the democratic revolution of 1990. There are displays of self-portraits and personal possessions of Genghis Khan and other great khans of the Mongol Empire. Most displays are in English and Mongolian.
Daily 08:00-22:00, last entry 20:30, closed Mon in winterAdult 20,000₮, student 10,000₮, photography fee 12,000₮
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Natural History Museum
Байгалийн түүхийн музей
The complete fossil of the Tarbosaurus bataar — a close cousin of the larger T. Rex that serves as the centerpiece of this museum's impressive collection — was stolen from Mongolia by American archaeologist Eric Prokopi and auctioned in New York for $1 million. The ensuing news coverage set off an international criminal case resulting in Prokopi's arrest and the return of dozens of dinosaur fossils to Mongolia by the U.S. government, which make up the bulk of this museum's collection. In the former Lenin Museum on Freedom Square, the museum contains a couple dozen other complete dinosaur fossils besides the Tarbosaurus, all of which were found in the Gobi Desert.
Tue–Sun 10:00-18:00 (closed Mon)Admission 2000₮
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Sükhbaatar Square
Chinggis Square
The big open space in the center of the city with an equestrian statue of Damdin Sükhbaatar, warrior-hero of the 1921 People's Revolution, as well as a seated statue of Genghis Khan that sits at the door of the Government Palace. Inside the Government House is a small museum with artifacts from the Mongol Empire and a reproduction of Genghis Khan's White Peace Banners of State (the Soviets had the originals destroyed in the 1930s).
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Wrestling Palace
Bökhiin Örgöö
Sports complex that is home to the Mongolian wrestling competitions and also hosts music concerts.
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Buyant Ukhaa Sport Palace
Ulziit Road
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Ganzam Palace
Ганзам палас
Peace Avenue
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UBTZ History Museum

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Ulaanbaatar (CC BY-SA 4.0).