Winter Palace of Bogd Khan, Ulaanbaatar (must see)

Considered one of Mongolia’s most important cultural treasures, the Winter Palace of the Bogd Khan was erected from 1893 to 1903 as part of the imperial complex for the eighth Jebtsundamba Khutuktu, who later became the Bogd Khan, the nation’s spiritual head and sovereign during the early 1900s.

What makes the palace especially significant is the extent to which its original contents have been preserved. Today the museum houses more than 8,600 artifacts, including the Bogd Khan’s personal belongings such as his throne, bed, ceremonial robes, gifts from foreign rulers, and even a collection of mounted animals. Equally important are the religious treasures on display, ranging from Buddhist statues and scroll paintings to ritual objects and volumes from the royal library.

Of the four palatial residences once maintained by the Bogd Khan, only the Winter Palace has survived. The site today encompasses the palace itself, several temples, the Gate of Peace and Happiness, and a number of auxiliary buildings, all contributing to an understanding of the scale and diversity of the original complex.

It highlights Mongolia’s architectural traditions, its political and religious history, and the artistic achievements of the era. The grounds include orderly pathways, temples adorned with traditional ornamentation, and courtyards that served both ritual and practical purposes.