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Outsiders mince no words when describing Ulaanbaatar: drab and disjointed. With concrete buildings seemingly sprouting every which way without regard for design and cohesion, it is considered as one of the least visually exciting capitals in the world. Mongolians don't seem to care much for their comments though, knowing that the history and culture behind it are its greatest traits. The city throbs with activity at every corner: vigorous trade, heavy traffic on potholed streets, and a buzzing nightlife.
Ulaanbaatar is an anomaly in Mongolia's landscape. It is chaotic and modern compared to the vast, untamed wilderness that characterizes the rest of the country. With fashion boutiques, restaurants, museums, and high street malls all around, the city promises to stand out in any visitor's Mongolian experience.
Heart of Mongolian Buddhism
The city traces its roots back to 1639, when it was founded as yurt monastery. In short, it was like a mobile monastery town that moved according to the whims of its nomadic inhabitants. Eventually, as it grew larger, it settled in its present location in 1778. It also became the center of Tibetan Buddhism in the country, with some 10,000 monks out of a population of roughly 25,000 in the years that followed.
Thus, Ulaanbaatar takes pride in a wealth of impressive monasteries that were built by its then-ruling royalty. Foremost of these is the Gandan Monastery, the largest and most sacred. It houses one of the tallest Buddha statues in Asia, as well as 2,286 precious stones. The Choijin Lama Temple is a close second, if only for being a masterpiece of Mongolian architecture.
Trips in and around UB
Ulaanabaatar is often called by foreigners as simply UB - a cool name for a cool destination. The thousands of travelers that arrive on its soil every year invariably head to the Winter Palace of the Bogd Khan. It is perhaps the city's most popular landmark, a former royal residence that has been converted into a museum. UB has a whole slew of other museums as well, like the Museum of Natural History and the Zanabazar Museum of Fine Arts.
The city is also conveniently located in a prime real estate, surrounded by four mountains and bordered by the Tuul Gol River. Thus, it is an ideal travel base for adventurers hungry for action - hikes, treks, camping, and fishing.
Ulaanbaatar Landmarks:
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