Sights and landmarks in Ulaanbaatar

Sights and landmarks in Ulaanbaatar

1. See

   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 am·Admission 8000₮, 50,000₮ photography fee

2. See

   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₮

3. See

   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 winter·8000₮, students 3000₮, children 1500₮, photography fee 50,000₮

4. See

   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₮

5. See

   International Intellectual Museum

   IQ Museum

   This museum displays,manufactures and exports a wide variety of traditional Mongolian puzzle toys, logic games, handcrafted products, and souvenirs, and has launched over 80 international exhibitions and fairs in 50 countries.

   Mon-Sat 10:00-18:00·Admission for non_Mongolians 15,000₮, children 500₮

6. See

   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 am·by invitation only

7. See

   Mongolian Military Museum

   The museum consists of indoor display housed in a building and also outdoor display of fighter jet, missile, tanks etc.

8. See

   National Art Gallery of Mongolia

   A surprisingly good modern art museum that displays the vibrancy of the local art scene. There are temporary exhibits throughout the year as well as a permanent collection.

   Daily 10:00-18:00·Admission 2000₮, students 1000₮, children 500₮

9. See

   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 winter·Adult 20,000₮, student 10,000₮, photography fee 12,000₮

10. See

    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₮

11. See

    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).

12. See

    The Fine Arts Zanabazar Museum

    Занабазарын нэрэмжит Дүрслэх урлагийн музей

    The collection includes items from the Stone Age to the 20th century. Particularly interesting is the collection of Buddhist art from the 17th century and later..

    08:00-17:00 (summer), 10:00-17:00 (winter)·Admission 5000₮

13. See

    Ulaanbaatar City Museum

    A museum established from a building built by a Soviet merchant. It used to house the embassy of the Tuvan People's Republic and a printing house.

14. See

    Zaisan Memorial

    Зайсан толгой

    A huge Communist-era monument on a hill near the city depicting the Russian and Mongolian heroes who fought together during the First and Second World Wars. Nowadays it is a popular viewpoint where you can see over the whole city. There's also a huge Buddhist statue at the bottom.

15. See

    Art House Center

16. See

    Friendship Railways Height

17. See

    Marshall Zhukov House Museum

    Peace Avenue

18. See

    Mongol Art Gallery

    Монгол Арт Галерейн

    Dunjingarav Street

19. See

    Mongolian Art Center for Children's Creativity

    Монголын хүүхдийн урлан бүтээх төв

20. See

    Monument to Marshal Georgy Zhukov

21. See

    Roerich's Shambala Museum

22. See

    Russian Science and Culture Center

    Russian House Mongolia

    Tokyo Street

    free

23. See

    UBTZ History Museum

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