Zanabazar Museum of Fine Art, Ulaanbaatar

The Fine Arts Zanabazar Museum ranks among Mongolia’s leading art institutions. Established in 1966, it was officially renamed in 1995 to honor Zanabazar- the renowned 17th–18th century artist, spiritual leader, and statesman. The museum is housed in a building dating back to 1905, originally constructed by a Russian merchant, which over time served a number of civic and private roles before being adapted into its current use as an art museum.

Its collections cover an extraordinary breadth, stretching from Mongolia’s prehistoric eras to the early 20th century. Displays include Paleolithic artifacts, deer-stones, Hun-period ceramics, remnants of ancient urban settlements, and petroglyphs, alongside an outstanding collection of Buddhist art. Among these are statues, thangka scrolls, silk appliqué pieces, ritual implements, and ceremonial masks.

At the heart of the museum are the works of Zanabazar himself. Celebrated pieces such as the White Tara, four of the Five Dhyani Buddhas, and the Bodhi Stupa are highlights for many visitors. Beyond this, the museum also emphasizes Mongolia’s secular artistic heritage with paintings by Marzan Sharav, traditional costumes, folk art, and decorative objects that reveal the ways nomadic, Buddhist, and classical traditions have blended across centuries.

The galleries are organized into twelve themed halls, covering subjects such as Ancient Art, Zanabazar’s creations, Thangka painting, and Folk and Fine Arts. Together, they present tens of thousands of objects, offering visitors a rich and layered view of Mongolia’s cultural history.