Also spelt Ulan Bator, Ulaanbaatar is the capital of the Republic of Mongolia and is situated a little towards the east of the centre of the country along the river, the Tuul Gol. It is surrounded by 4 mountains - Bogda Khan Uul, Chingeltei Uul, Bayanzurkh Uul and Songino Khairkhan of the Khentii mountain chain. The city spreads from east to west and has the Sukhbaatar Square as its centre. Ulaanbaatar is segregated into nine districts - Bagannur, Bagakhangai, Bayamgol, Bayanzurkh, Chingeltei, Khan Uul, Nalaikh, Songino and Suhbaatar.

If you are desirous of visiting Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar is invariably the first stop. The city with its warm and pleasant atmosphere offers a number of attractions for you to see and enjoy -towering mountains and a number of monasteries, museums, art galleries, parks and memorials. The best time to visit Ulaanbaatar is between May to September.


Significance of Buddhism in Ulaanbaatar
Ulaanbaatar was founded in the year 1639 and was initially situated at the site of a Buddhist Monastery of Da Khuree. Ulaanbaatar was later shifted to various location along the Selanga, Orhon and Tuul rivers till the time it finally reached its present location in the 18th century. This place was also the seat of the first Jebsundamba, the spiritual head of the Gelug lineage of Tibetan Buddhism in Mongolia. Ulaanbaatar had over 100 temples (sum) and monasteries (khiid) in the beginning of the 19th century. the temples and monasteries served a population of around 50,000. As per historians, atound 50% of population during this time was monks and nuns. However, the Communist government of 1930s destroyed most of these temples and monasteries and also slained a number of monks and nuns. A large number of monks and nuns were also forced to abandon their hometown to save their lives. It was only in the 1990s, when the Communism lost significance that people began to practice Buddhism openly all over again.


Buddhist Attractions

• Gandan Monastery : One of the most important attractions of Ulaanbaatar is the Ganden Monastery, also known as The Gandantegchinlen Khiid Monastery. It was founded in the year 1835 by the 5th Jebsundamba and developed as the principal centre of Buddhist learning in Mongolia. In the 1930s, the Communist government of Mongolia ordered the destruction of around 700 Buddhist monasteries, however, the Gandan Monastery was spared. In 1938, it was closed down only to be reopened in 1944. When the Communist goverenment lost power in 1990s, Gandan Monastery was thrown open for public worship. Today, the monastery houses around 150 monks and has 26 meter high 20 ton gilded statue of Migjid Janraisig (Avalokitesvara), decorated with jewels as its prime highlight.
  
  
• Choijin Lama Monastery : This Monastery was constructed at the orders of of the Bogd Khan (Emperor of Mongolia and the 8th Jebsundamba) for his brother Choijin Lama between the period of 1904-08. In 1938, the monastery was converted into a museum. In the main temple, you can see a wonderful collection of original silk icons and some of the best tsam masks in the country. Also to be seen in this monastery museum is an 18th century gilt statue of Buddha Shakyamuni flanked by his two disciples, a statue of Choijin Lama, religious instruments, thangka paintings, a copy of the 108-volume Kangjur and hand-printed 226-volume Tanjur brought from Tibet by the Bogd Khan.
  
  
• Bogd Khan Palace Museum : In the period between the middle of the 17th century to the beginning of the 20th century, Mongolia's topmost religious authority were the eight leaders recognised as successive reincarnations of Taranatkha, a widely respected lama of the Jonang School of Tibetan Buddhism. They were known as Bogd Jivzundamba (Jebtsundamba). The Winter Palace of Bogdo Khan was constructed between 1893 and 1903 and was the residence of the 8th Bogd Jivzundamba who took political charge of Mongolia as the Bogd Khaan, or "Holy King". The palace has a number of temples and houses which contain Buddhist artworks and objects associated with the life of the Bogd Khaan.
  
• The Zanabazar Fine Arts Museum : Founded in the year 1966, the Zanabazar Museum of Fine Art showcases the works of the renowned artists and sculptures of Mongolia who lived before or in the early 20th century. Amongst the 10,000 exhibits, worthseeing are the sculptures by Mongolia's first Bogd Khaan and famous sculptor Zanabazar, rare scroll paintings (thangka), Buddhist statues and very famous tsam masks worn by monks during the religious ceremonies. The museum is open from 9 am to 6 pm.
  
  
• The Museum of Mongolian History : This museum was established in the year 1991 and renovated in 1998. The exhibits of the museum relate the history and culture of Mongolia right from the stone age up to the modern days. Worthseeing for Buddhist tourists are Buddhist artwork. The controversial Ganlin Horn made out of human thigh bones and utilised by head monks to call and exorcise evil spirits is also on display. All the exhibits have good captions in English for the convenience of visitors. The museum is open from 10 am to 6 pm.
  
  
• Manzushiri Monastery : This monastery is located in the greenery of Bogd Mountain and is barely an hours drive from Ulaanbaatar. If you are visiting during autumn, you will get an opportunity to see the Tsam mask dance.
  
  
• Tasgany Ovoo : An ovoo is a holy pyramid-shaped collection of stones. Tasgany Ovoo is 300 m behind Gesar Slim.
  
  
• Lamrim Sum : This temple lies on the way to the Gandan Monastery and houses a statue of Tsong-khapa, the Tibetan Buddhist reformer and Sakyamuni, the historical Buddha.
  
  
• Dambadarjaa Khiid : This monastery was constructed in 1965 and originally housed 1200 monks. Today, you can see 30 small temples here. The only way to get to this monastery is by hiring a taxi.