Ulan Bator Introduction Walking Tour (Self Guided), Ulan Bator

Sükhbaatar Square is the central square in Ulan Bator. It is named after and features a statue of Damdin Sükhbaatar, leader of Mongolia's 1921 revolution. It is located in front of the Saaral Ordon. Major buildings on the square include the Government Palace (built in 1951), the Golomt Bank, the Central Post Office, the Culture Palace and, until 2005, the Sükhbaatar mausoleum. Besides the Sükhbaatar monument in the middle of the square, one can find several other statues, including Genghis Khan and two of his generals in front of the Government House and the Jamsrangiin Sambuu monument in the northwestern corner.

The National Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet of Mongolia (colloquially called Ulaanbaatar Opera House) opened on 15 May 1963 and made its opening ceremony on 18 May 1963 with Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin.

The repertoire includes classical and national ballet (Swan Lake, The Nutcracker) and opera (Madama Butterfly, La bohème).

The beginnings of a contemporary professional theatre in Mongolia were laid down with the establishment of a National Central Theatre in 1931, which was an extension of the Folk Stadium which was inaugurated in 1927.

The Mongolian National Modern Art Gallery (MNMAG) features a wide and remarkable collection of modern and uniquely Mongolian paintings and sculptures. You will enjoy a variety artwork, ranging from impressionistic to nationalistic, interesting Soviet romantic paintings and other wonderful works.

The Choijin Lama Museum is a Mongolian architectural masterpiece of the 19th century. It features precious exhibits of Buddhist art as well as the works of Zanabazar, a prominent 17th century spiritual head of Tibetan Buddhism and great artisan. You will find beautiful colorful masks for Tsam dance ceremonies, wonderful bronze figures of gods, striking silk tankas and many other interesting objects.

In front of the National Library of Mongolia in Ulan Bator is the monument to Yünsiyebü Byambyn Rinchen, one of the founders of modern Mongolian literature, a prominent translator and diverse scientist.

This monument commemorates Yumzhagiyn Tsedenbal, politician, first secretary of the Mongolian People’s Revolutionary Party, chairman of the People’s Republic of Mongolia, and marshal, who governed Mongolia for 40 years. The monument is located in front of the Theatre for Dramatic Arts.

Located on the corner of Peace Avenue and Chingisiin Örgön Chölöö, the Mongolian Artists' Exhibition Hall offers an interesting view of Mongolian art. Its collection of contemporary art features dramatic pictures, amazing carvings, beautiful tapestries and sculptures.

A very large, wonderfully decorated and very colorful building. It is located on the north side of Sükhbaatar Square, along with a lot of other important buildings in the city. The edifice is an excellent example of a great tandem between the ancient and modern architecture.

In front of the Mongolian Government Palace, in the prominent Sükhbaatar Square, is the statue of Genghis Khan, the national hero, founder, Khan (ruler) and Khagan (emperor) of the prosperous Mongol Empire.

National Museum of Mongolia (formerly the National Museum of Mongolian History) is one of the national museums of Mongolia. The National Museum of Mongolia is a cultural, scientific, and educational organization, which is responsible for the collection, care and interpretation of the objects.

The first museum in Mongolia, which was called the Mongolian National Museum (now the Mongolian Natural History Museum), was established in 1924 and became the basis for other museums, including the National Museum of Mongolian History.

The modern National Museum of Mongolian History was established after the merger of historical, archeological and ethnographical departments of the State Central Museum and the Museum of the Revolution in 1991. It is now located in the facility built for the Museum of the Revolution, which was founded in 1971. The National Museum of Mongolia is currently recognized as one of the leading museums in Mongolia. A significant responsibility for preserving Mongolian cultural heritage therefore lies with the museum. It is also responsible for developing museological guide-lines for museums in the nation.

The Zanabazar Museum of Fine Art, established in 1966, houses a great collection of excellent works by famous sculptor and artist Zanabazar. The museum also features exceptional works by other well-known Mongolian artists of the 19th and 20th centuries, including wood and stone appliqués and sculptures, an outstanding collection of paintings, carvings, old religious exhibits and much more.

Geser Sum Monastery, also known as West Geser Sum, was built between 1919 and 1920 by Guve Zakhar, a practitioner of the Blue religion (Chinese Taoist Buddhism). Located in the central district of Ulan Bator, on the south side of the hill with Dasgan Ovoo, this cultural and historic monument now houses a Buddhist school.

Tasgany Ovoo is located 300 meters behind the fine Geser Sum and is certainly worth a visit. This ovoo is a sacred pyramid-shaped collection of stones. On the top of the hill you will notice a 12 meter-high Buddhist monument, the famous Zaany Tolgoi, or Elephant's Head.

The Gandantegchinlen Monastery (short name: Gandan), a Tibetan monastery in the Mongolian capital of Ulan Bator, has been restored and revitalized since 1990. It was established in 1835 by the Fifth Jebtsundamba, Mongolia's highest reincarnated lama at the time. The name translates as "Great Place of Complete Joy." It currently has over 150 monks in residence. It features a 26.5 meter-high statue of Migjid Janraisig, a Buddhist bodhisattva also known as Avalokitesvara. This monastery became the principal center of Buddhist learning in Mongolia.

Peace Avenue is the main shopping street in the city. Is the place to haggle over cheap clothes, toys, swords or Soviet propaganda pins.