ABOUT CENTRAL MUSEUM OF MONGOLIAN DINOSAURS<hr>This museum is impressive and must visit place. The Central museum of Mongolian Dinosaurs was established to protect, register and verify fossils, all in order to preserve our heritage for future generations.&nbsp; The main exhibit is of Tyrannosaurus Bataar which was illegally smuggled out of country and sold in Texas, USA at an auction for over US$1m in 2012. The government of Mongolia brought a claim through court and recovered the exhibit. There are two floors of exhibits, but most of the smaller ones are located upstairs. Visitors can see baby dinosaurs still in their nests which are worth seeing. Many people call, this museum T.Bataar’s musuem”. The museum is small and can easily be done. However, the collection is quite impressive as all the fossils showcased are originals and complete skeletons. Every exhibition is well annotated in English.<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:100%;"><img src="https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/kerege-travel.appspot.com/o/ckeditor%2Fdinosaur_museum_mongolia.jpg?alt=media&amp;token=c5519624-53b8-4a18-abc5-16a09013459a"></figure>

This museum is impressive and must visit place. The Central museum of Mongolian Dinosaurs was established to protect, register and verify fossils, all in order to preserve our heritage for future generations. 

DINOSAURS MUSEUM

HISTORY OF ULAANBAATAR<hr><figure class="image image_resized image-style-side" style="width:51.26%;"><img src="https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/kerege-travel.appspot.com/o/ckeditor%2FConsulate_of_the_Russian_Empire_in_Urgoo1.jpg?alt=media&amp;token=c0670395-d9e6-4e21-8ce7-3195129b8ea8"></figure>Ulaanbaatar, formerly anglicised as Ulan Bator /ˌuːlɑːnˈbɑːtər/ (Mongolian: Улаанбаатар, literally “Red Hero”), is the capital and largest city of Mongolia. The city is not part of any aimag (province), and its population as of 2014 was over 1.3 million, almost half of the country’s population. The municipality is in north central Mongolia at an elevation of about 1,300 meters (4,300 ft) in a valley on the Tuul River. It is the country’s cultural, industrial and financial heart, the centre of Mongolia’s road network and connected by rail to both the Trans-Siberian Railway in Russia and the Chinese railway system.The city was founded in 1639 as a nomadic Buddhist monastic centre. It settled permanently at its present location, the junction of the Tuul and Selbe rivers, in 1778. Before then, it changed location 28 times, each new location being chosen ceremonially. In the twentieth century, Ulaanbaatar grew into a major manufacturing center. Ulaanbaatar is a member of the Asian Network of Major Cities 21. The city’s official website lists Moscow, Hohhot, Seoul, Sapporo and Denver as sister cities.&nbsp;MONASTERY<hr><figure class="image image_resized image-style-side" style="width:39.11%;"><img src="https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/kerege-travel.appspot.com/o/ckeditor%2FOldPaintingUrga1.jpg?alt=media&amp;token=9ef961fa-6c20-45bb-9508-e2e9991cdb98"></figure>Founded in 1639 as a yurt monastery, Ulaanbaatar, originally Örgöö (palace-yurt), was first located at Lake Shireet Tsagaan nuur (75 kilometres (47 miles) directly east of the imperial capital Karakorum) in what is now Burd sum, Övörkhangai, around 230 kilometres (143 miles) south-west from the present site of Ulaanbaatar, and was intended by the Mongol nobles to be the seat of Zanabazar, the first Jebtsundamba Khutughtu. Zanabazar returned to Mongolia from Tibet in 1651, and founded seven aimags (monastic departments) in Urga, later establishing four more.As a mobile monastery-town, it was often moved to various places along the Selenge, Orkhon and Tuul rivers, as supply and other needs would demand. During the Dzungar wars of the late 17th century, it was even moved to Inner Mongolia. As the city grew, it moved less and less.The movements of the city can be detailed as follows: Shireet Tsagaan Nuur (1639), Khoshoo Tsaidam (1640), Khentii Mountains (1654), Ogoomor (1688), Inner Mongolia (1690), Tsetserlegiin Erdene Tolgoi (1700), Daagandel (1719), Usan Seer (1720), Ikh Tamir (1722), Jargalant (1723), Eeven Gol (1724), Khujirtbulan (1729), Burgaltai (1730), Sognogor (1732), Terelj (1733), Uliastai River (1734), Khui Mandal (1736), Khuntsal (1740), Udleg (1742), Ogoomor (1743), Selbe (1747), Uliastai River (1756), Selbe (1762), Khui Mandal (1772) and Selbe (1778).In 1778, the city moved from Khui Mandal and settled for good at its current location, near the confluence of the Selbe and Tuul rivers, and beneath Bogd Khan Uul, at that time also on the caravan route from Beijing to Kyakhta.One of the earliest Western mentions of Urga is the account of the Scottish traveller John Bell in 1721:What they call the Urga is the court, or the place where the prince (Tusheet Khan) and high priest (Bogd Jebtsundamba Khutugtu) reside, who are always encamped at no great distance from one another. They have several thousand tents about them, which are removed from time to time. The Urga is much frequented by merchants from China and Russia, and other places. By Zanabazar’s death in 1723, Urga was the Mongolia’s preeminent monastery in terms of religious authority. A council of seven of the highest-ranking lamas (Khamba Nomon Khan, Ded Khambaand five Tsorj) made most of the city’s religious decisions. It had also become Outer Mongolia’s commercial center. From 1733 to 1778, Urga moved in the vicinity of its present location. In 1754, the Erdene Shanzodba Yam of Urga was given authority to supervise the administrative affairs of the Bogd’s subjects. It also served as the city’s chief judicial court. In 1758, the Qianlong Emperor appointed the Khalkha Vice General Sanzaidorj as the first Mongol amban of Urga with full authority to “oversee the Khuree and administer well all the Khutugtu’s subjects”.In 1761, a second amban was appointed for the same purpose, a Manchu one. A quarter-century later, in 1786, a decree issued in Peking gave right to the Urga ambans to decide the administrative affairs of Tusheet Khan and Setsen Khan territories. With this, Urga became the highest civil authority in the country. Based on Urga’s Mongol governor Sanzaidorj’s petition, the Qianlong Emperor officially recognized an annual ceremony on Bogd Khan Mountain in 1778 and provided the annual imperial donations. The city was the seat of the Jebtsundamba Khutugtus, two Qing ambans, and a Chinese trade town grew “four trees” or 4.24 km (2.63 mi) east of the city center at the confluence of the Uliastai and Tuul rivers.By 1778, Urga may have had as many as ten thousand monks, who were regulated by a monastic rule, Internal Rule of the Grand Monastery or Yeke Kuriyen-u Doto’adu Durem. For example, in 1797 a decree of the 4th Jebtsundamba forbade “singing, playing with archery, myagman, chess, usury and smoking”). Executions were forbidden where the holy temples of the Bogd Jebtsundama could be seen, so capital punishment took place away from the city.In 1839, the 5th Bogd Jebtsundamba moved his residence to Gandan Hill, an elevated position to the west of the Baruun Damnuurchin markets. Part of the city was moved to nearby Tolgoit. In 1855, the part of the camp that moved to Tolgoit was brought back to its 1778 location, and the 7th Bogd Jebtsundamba returned to the Zuun Khuree. The Gandan Monastery flourished as a center of philosophical studies.&nbsp;GOOD TO KNOW<hr>PRE HISTORYHuman habitation at the site of Ulaanbaatar dates from the Lower Paleolithic, with a number of sites on Bogd Khan, Buyant-Ukhaa and Songinokhairkhan mountains, revealing tools which date from 300,000 years ago to 40,000–12,000 years ago. These Upper Paleolithic people hunted mammoth and woolly rhinoceros, the bones of which are found abundantly around Ulaanbaatar.&nbsp;BEFORE 1639A number of Xiongnu-era royal tombs have been discovered around Ulaanbaatar, including the tombs of Belkh Gorge near Dambadarjaalin monastery and tombs of Songinokhairkhan. Located on the banks of the Tuul River, Ulaanbaatar has been well within the sphere of Turco-Mongol nomadic empires throughout history. Wang Khan, Toghrul of the Keraites, a Nestorian Christian monarch whom Marco Polo identified as the legendary Prester John, is said to have had his palace here (the Black Forest of the Tuul River) and forbade hunting in the holy mountain Bogd Uul. The palace is said to be where Genghis Khan stayed with Yesui Khatun before attacking the Tangut in 1226.

Ulaanbaatar, formerly anglicised as Ulaanbaatar, is the capital and largest city of Mongolia. The city is not part of any aimag (province), and its population as of 2014 was over 1.3 million, almost half of the country’s population

ULAANBAATAR CITY

ABOUT THE CHOIJIN LAMA TEMPLE<hr>The Choijin Lama Temple Official name given by Manchu Qing Emperor Guangxu (1871 – 1908): The complex consists of six temples originally occupied by the brother of the ruler the Eighth Bogd Jetsun Dampa Khan, Choijin Lama Luvsankhaidav, who was the state oracle and ‘Precious Wisdom and Clear Devotion’ Khutugtu at the time. The complex was begun in 1904 and completed in 1908, in honor of the State Oracle Lama Lubsanhaidub /Losang Kedrup/, brother of the eighth Bogd Khan. The Choijin Lama Museum was originally a Buddhist temple complex, consisting of one main and five branch temples. It was active until 1937, when it was closed during the height of Communist repression against Buddhism and other religious traditions. In 1938 the complex was re-established as museum due to skillful efforts of wise people. This was how it was saved throughout communism.<figure class="image"><img src="https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/kerege-travel.appspot.com/o/ckeditor%2Fchoijin_lama.jpg?alt=media&amp;token=a0fb3a69-14c9-48b4-9e38-3bd9a967c6ab"></figure>The main temple features an 18th-century gilt statue of Buddha Sakyamuni with a statue of Choijin Lama Luvsankhaidav on the Buddha’s right and the embalmed corpse of Baldan Choephel on his left. In addition, the temple boasts a copious collection of religious instruments, thangka paintings, silk embroideries, wood carvings, statues, and a biggest collection of cham dance masks). The annex to the temple contains another temple, named ‘Zankhang’ and a central square in which Choijin Lama Luvsankhaidav performed Oracle trance rituals.<figure class="image image-style-side"><img src="https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/kerege-travel.appspot.com/o/ckeditor%2Fchoijin_lama_museum_01.jpg?alt=media&amp;token=e861cb13-51b9-4793-bbde-10de17717771"></figure>The Zuu Temple, dedicated to the Buddha Shakyamuni features papier-mache sculptures of Buddha in the past, present, and future. The 16 arhat disciples of Buddha appear on the temple walls with four Maharajas protectors shown sitting in caves on either side of the door. The Yidam Temple was used as a place of prayer by Choijin Lama Luvsankhaidav, and therefore closed to the public. In its center is a gilt bronze sculpture of one of the 84 Indian yogis, or Mahasiddha. Also depicted are the tantric gods Kalacakra, Mahamaya, Vajradhara and others with their shakti or consorts in postures of meditation that symbolize power and strength. The fourth temple, the temple of amugulang or peace, is dedicated to the first Mongolian reincarnation of Boghda Jevzundamba, Undur Gegeen Zanabazar, (1635-1724). The museum, it preserves a rich heritage of Buddhist artifacts. Located in central Ulaanbaatar directly south of Sukhbaatar square, the museum is open year-round (with reduced hours during the winter months). Explanations of the almost overwhelming collection are not as detailed as they could be, but each temple has room attendants who can provide additional material. The museum itself and its objects also show the re-emergence of Buddhism in Mongolia after Communist repression, with a particularly interesting display on Buddhist cham dancing and its modern revival

The Choijin Lama Temple Official name given by Manchu Qing Emperor Guangxu (1871 – 1908): 
The complex consists of six temples originally occupied by the brother of the ruler the Eighth Bogd Jetsun Dampa Khan, Choijin Lama Luvsankhaidav,

THE CHOIJIN LAMA TEMPLE

SUKHBAATAR SQUARE<hr>Sukhbaatar square is the central square of Mongolia’s capital Ulaanbaatar. It lies at the heart of the city surrounded by important buildings such as government palace, banks and theaters and post office. In front of the Government House, a large statue of Genghis Khan proudly stands outside of the building, and equestrian statues of Mongol Empire’s army leaders and Genghis Khan’s son and grandson. An inner courtyard of the building holds a large ceremonial Ger used for hosting visiting dignitaries. In 1921 in the center of Ulaanbaatar, the ‘hero of the revolution’, Damdin Sukhbaatar, declared Mongolia’s final independence from the Chinese.&nbsp;<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:100%;"><img src="https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/kerege-travel.appspot.com/o/ckeditor%2Fsukhbaatar_square_night.jpg?alt=media&amp;token=b345f63b-41db-45c0-a583-42fb34f63409"></figure>The bronze statue of Sukhbaatar stands at the center of square. Then square is named after Sukhbaatar. As well as this is the place where Peaceful anti-communism protests were held here in 1990, which eventually ushered in the era of democracy.&nbsp; Today, the square is occasionally used for rallies, ceremonies and even rock concerts and festivals, but is generally a relaxed place where you can witness and see many interesting stories of the city played out here such as teenagers riding bikes and rollerblading, guys hanging out on the thick chains hanging from the mouths of the stone lions, newly married couples posing for pictures, students celebrating graduation, or classmates coming together for reunions after 30 or 40 years. So many memories for Mongolians and unforgettable life moments are unseparably ties this square. Therefore, central square is popular place for city residents, not only travelers.&nbsp;

Sukhbaatar square is the central square of Mongolia’s capital Ulaanbaatar. It lies at the heart of the city surrounded by important buildings such as government palace, banks and theaters and post office.

SUKHBAATAR SQUARE

ABOUT BOGD KHAN WINTER PALACE MUSEUM<hr>It’s one of very few places the Soviets and communist Mongolians didn’t destroy during political purges. The white building to the right as you enter is the Winter Palace itself. It contains a collection of gifts received from foreign dignitaries, such as a pair of golden boots from a Russian tsar, a robe made from 80 unfortunate foxes and a ger lined with the skins of 150 snow leopards. Mongolia’s Declaration of Independence (from China in 1911) is among the exhibits. The Bogd Khaan’s penchant for unusual live animals explains the extraordinary array of stuffed animals in the Palace – including an elephant that had to walk for three months from the Russian border to Ulaanbaatar! The Palace Museum preserves priceless historical and cultural monuments of the Mongolian State and religion from the 17th to 20th Centuries, together with artifacts created by the foremost masters of that time, Zanabazar in particular, ranging from statues of gods, tankas, and papier-mache. The museum welcomes 19-20 thousand visitors each year and 70-80 percent is from foreign countries.<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:100%;"><img src="https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/kerege-travel.appspot.com/o/ckeditor%2Fbogd_king_palace.jpg?alt=media&amp;token=86d3268e-2e9f-481f-9316-e17649ff01fe"></figure>The Bogd Khan Palace is one of the most important monuments of Mongolian history and architecture. It was built between 1893 and 1906 and is composed of two parts:<ul style="list-style-type:disc;"><li style="text-align:justify;">The Summer Palace has seven temples and pagodas; it’s a magnificent well-preserved Chinese-styled place of worship;</li><li style="text-align:justify;">The Winter Palace is a two-storey European-styled building built by Russian architects.</li></ul>For about twenty years, the Winter Palace had been serving as winter residence for the eighth Buddhist leader of Mongolia, the Bogd Javzandamba Agvaanluvsan and his wife, Queen Dondogdulam. This is only remaining palace out of four residences where Bogd Khan resided here with his queen for twenty years. The Bogd Khan was also known as the eighth living Buddha. When the Bogd Khan died in 1924, the palace was turned into a museum. This palace now displays the collection of personal belongings of the last Khan and his wife.

It’s one of very few places the Soviets and communist Mongolians didn’t destroy during political purges. The white building to the right as you enter is the Winter Palace itself.

BOGD KHAN WINTER PALACE MUSEUM

THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF MONGOLIAN HISTORY<hr>The National Museum of Mongolian History was founded in 1991. It provides an excellent overview of history and culture of Mongols from ages as early as the Stone Age and up to the modern days. Among 15 thousand exhibits of the museum are carpet and silk items of the Hun period and leather boots of a Mongolian soldier of that time. Its’ must see for all first time visitors to learn about the great 2000 year old tradition of Mongolian statehood. Visiting this museum before travelling anywhere in Mongolia will give you good knowledge of country’s tradition and nomad lifestyle that you can see in real life later. It has 11 halls including the Ancient history, Ancient States, Traditional clothes and jewelry, Mongol Empire, Culture, Traditional lifestyle, 16-20th century Mongolia, Mongolia under Bogd Khaan, Socialist Mongolia, Democratic Mongolia and a temporary exhibition hall.<figure class="image"><img src="https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/kerege-travel.appspot.com/o/ckeditor%2F2019-8-7-National-Museum-of-Mongolia-16-copy-scaled1.jpg?alt=media&amp;token=69fb30a4-d6a7-4175-a317-2a9c7c28affe"></figure>The 1st floor has some interesting exhibits on petroglyphs, deer stones (stone sculptures of reindeer and other animals) and burial sites from the Hun and Uyghur eras. The 2nd floor houses an outstanding collection of costumes, hats and jewellery, representing most of Mongolia’s ethnic groups. The 3rd floor is a must-see for fans of the Mongol horde. The collection includes real examples of 12th century Mongol Armor, and correspondence between Pope Innocent IV and Guyik Khaan. Written in Latin and Persian and dated November 13, 1246, it bears the khan’s seal. There is also a display of traditional Mongolian culture with, among other things, a furnished Ger, traditional farming and domestic implements, saddles and musical instruments.

The National Museum of Mongolian History was founded in 1991. It provides an excellent overview of history and culture of Mongols from ages as early as the Stone Age and up to the modern days. Among 15 thousand exhibits of the museum are carpet and silk items of the Hun period and leather boots of a Mongolian soldier of that time.

HISTORY AND NATIONAL MUSEUM

HOW TO GO THERE<hr>Tumen Ekh plays in a small theatre located about 500 metres (1640,42 feet) South Genghis Khan Square. Walk towards Peace Bridge. Right before walking on the bridge, turn on the left. Ten metres (32,81 feet) away, pass under the arch on your left. You’re in a large enclosure, and the theatre is right on your left.In summer, the show takes place every day from 18 to 19. Unfortunately, in winter, the shows are rarer and a bit random.<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:100%;"><img src="https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/kerege-travel.appspot.com/o/ckeditor%2Ftumen_enkh.jpg?alt=media&amp;token=197158ae-b138-4e07-a106-fe79cbc7c9c8"></figure>INFORMATION<hr>Tumen Ekh group was founded in 1989 and strives towards the aim of developing the Mongolian traditional arts and the culture of the country, near the local and international public. The group won many rewards all across the world and is famous for the quality of its show that combines professionalism and respect of Mongolian traditional culture.The group is composed of several artists that practise several arts : Mongolian singing, music, and dancing. You will see :<ul style="list-style-type:disc;"><li style="text-align:justify;">Concerts with traditional musical instruments, included morin khuur (vielle with a horse head) ;</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Traditional singing, notably long drawn songs, or tuuli ;</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Dancing shows, notably the ritual dance of the shaman, and the dance of the masks called “tsam dance”.</li></ul>The Mongolian music expresses immensity, freedom and life in harmony with nature. Tumen Ekh group is one of the best groups of popular art, because they manage to share the traditional music with the whole world. The group travelled in more than 40 countries in order to show the unique, dynamic and surprising arts of Mongolia. They notably performed at the World Music Centre of New York, at the Kennedy Centre of Washington DC, and at Buckingham Palace, United Kingdom.With Tumen Ekh’s show, you will enter for a while the deep heart of popular culture of Mongolia.&nbsp;

Tumen Ekh plays in a small theatre located about 500 metres (1640,42 feet) South Genghis Khan Square. Walk towards Peace Bridge. Right before walking on the bridge, turn on the left.

TUMEN EKH ENSEMBLE - CULTURAL SHOW

ABOUT ZAISAN HILL MONUMENT<hr>Zaisan is a popular tourist attraction and one of the highlights of Ulan Bator due to the fantastic views it offers over the city. You can also get an aerial view over the yurt districts, and see how many cranes there are rapidly altering the city skyline with brand new, soviet-style apartment buildings. There are views of surrounding hills, one of which has the Mongolian national Symbol painted on the slope in white. The memorial includes a 10 meter high statue of a Russian soldier holding a flag, and a circular concrete area on which there is a mural.<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:100%;"><img src="https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/kerege-travel.appspot.com/o/ckeditor%2Fzaisan_hill.jpg?alt=media&amp;token=a8ba8c79-8860-4bd5-b072-a212f205263e"></figure>The Zaisan memorial was erected to commemorate those killed in the WWII between Russia and Germany and Mongolia and Japan and the ensuing peace between these countries. The monument is a popular day out during public holidays and the summer months. The Memorial stands on a hill overlooking the city and consists of a circular mosaic depicting the armistice between the four countries. The outer skin and the statue are made from high quality Russian concrete, at the base of the hill there is a very large statue of Buddha popular with worshippers and visitors to the country. Buddha Park features a 23 meter tall statue of Buddha. It is worth to check out the tank exhibit at the foot of the hill.

Zaisan is a popular tourist attraction and one of the highlights of Ulan Bator due to the fantastic views it offers over the city. You can also get an aerial view over the yurt districts, 

ZAISAN HILL MONUMENT

ABOUT GANDAN MONASTERY<hr>Gandan is fully active and the largest functioning monastery including the Mongolian Buddhist University. The highlight of visit to Gandan is 26-meter-high majestic gilded indoor statue of Megjid Janraisig. This overwhelmingly glorious deity was crafted in 1911 to celebrate independence and freedom from Manchu. Literally it can be translated as Great Place of Complete Joy. The first temple of Gandan Monastery was established in 1835 by the order of 5th Jebtsundamba, the highest reincarnated lama of Mongolia. In the beginning of the 20th century Gandantegchinleng Monastery was the centre of Buddhist learning in Mongolia. Many prominent Buddhist scholars in Mongolia as well as in Buddhist scholars in the world were educated and trained by its various colleges and their works on Buddhist philosophy, linguistics, medicine, astrology and tantric practice became the most authoritative and accurate Buddhist texts.&nbsp;In 1938s, the communists suppressed religious communities in Mongolia. They destroyed around 900 monasteries, though less handful were turned into museums. The monks were killed, jailed, or forced to join the army or laity. Five temples of Gandan Monastery were destroyed. The remaining temples were used to accommodate Russian officials or used as barns to keep their horses. In 1938, Gandantegchinleng Monastery was closed, but reopened in 1944 as the only functioning monastery during the socialist regime. Because Gandan Monastery was used as a showcase for visitors&nbsp; After the democratic change took place in 1990 Buddhism regained its full right of worship. Gandan Monastery embarked on an ambitious restoration program around the country. Then in the whole country 140 monasteries and temples have been (re)established and many sacred statues were reconstructed so far&nbsp; Currently Gandantegchinleng Monastery includes a Mongolian Buddhist University (established in 1970); three colleges of Buddhist philosophy;<figure class="image"><img src="https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/kerege-travel.appspot.com/o/ckeditor%2Fgandantegchinlen_monastery_panorama-ulaanbaatar-mongolia-tibetan-style-buddhist-mongolian-capital-73856013(1).jpg?alt=media&amp;token=f05d189c-4fca-4a94-af2d-5612fe3713e2"></figure>GOOD TO KNOW<hr>STATUEThe original statue, made of copper, was built after appeals to the Mongolian public; its intent was to restore the sight of the 8th Jebtsundamba, also known as Bogd Khan), who had claimed the title of Emperor of Mongolia. The statue was built by Bogd Javzandamba’s principal minister, Chin Wan Khanddorj. Russian troops dismantled the original statue in 1938. After the end of the Soviet era, the statue of Avalokiteśvara was rebuilt in 1996, funded by donations by the Mongolian people. It features 2,286 precious stones and is gilded with gold leaf.Since 1992, the Supreme Leader of the Centre of All Mongolian Buddhists and Abbot of Gandantegchinlen Monastery has been Lama Gabju Choijamts Demberel.The monastery is surrounded by the Gandan ger suburb.HISTORYThe monastery was constructed by order of the 5th Jebtsundamba Khutuktu in 1809. The first temple was the Gungaachoilin Datsan. Only one wooden pillar remains from this temple. In 1838, the Gandantegchenlin Temple was built along with the private residence of the Jebtsundamba Khutuktu. The 13th Dalai Lama stayed in the residence in 1904. In 1840, the Vajradhara Temple was built. In 1869, the Zuu Temple was built. In 1913, the tall Avalokiteśvara temple was built. In 1925, the temple for keeping the remains of the 8th Jebtsundamba Khutuktu was built. It is now the monastery library.In the 1930s, the Communist government of Mongolia, under the leadership of Khorloogiin Choibalsan and under the influence of Joseph Stalin, destroyed all but a few monasteries and killed more than 15,000 lamas.Gandantegchinlen Khiid monastery, having escaped this mass destruction, was closed in 1938, but then reopened in 1944 and was allowed to continue as the only functioning Buddhist monastery, under a skeleton staff, as a token homage to traditional Mongolian culture and religion. With the end of Marxism in Mongolia in 1990, restrictions on worship were lifted.

Gandan is fully active and the largest functioning monastery including the Mongolian Buddhist University. The highlight of visit to Gandan is 26-meter-high majestic gilded indoor statue of Megjid Janraisig.