Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
went dry. Some 25 movements were recorded along the Orkhon, Selenge and Tuul Gols
(rivers). Throughout these movements the city was given some fairly unexciting official
and unofficial names, including Khuree (Camp) in 1706.
In 1778 Khuree was erected at its present location and called the City of Felt. Later the
city became known as Ikh Khuree (Great Camp) and was under the rule of the Bogd
Gegeen (Living Buddha). The Manchus, however, used Uliastai as the administrative
capital of Outer Mongolia.
In 1911 when Mongolia first proclaimed its independence from China, the city became
the capital of Outer Mongolia and was renamed Niislel Khuree (Capital Camp). In 1918
it was invaded by the Chinese and three years later by the Russians.
Finally, in 1924 the city was renamed Ulaanbaatar (Red Hero), in honour of the com-
munist triumph, and declared the official capital of an 'independent' Mongolia (inde-
pendent from China, not from the Soviet Union). The
khangard
(garuda), symbolising
courage and honesty, was declared the city's official symbol. In 1933 Ulaanbaatar gained
autonomy and separated from the surrounding Töv aimag.
From the 1940s the Soviets built the city in typical Russian style: lots of large, brightly
coloured theatres and cavernous government buildings. Tragically, the Soviets also des-
troyed many old Russian buildings as well as Mongolian monasteries and temples. Today
the city heaves with construction projects fueled by Mongolia's mining boom. It has also
enjoyed a cultural resurgence with lots of museums, galleries, theatre performances and
clubs bringing out the best in 21st-century Mongolian culture.
ULAANBAATAR IN…
Two Days
Ulaanbaatar's main sights can be seen in a couple of days. On your first morning in
town pay a visit to the
National Museum of Mongolia
then take a turn around
Ch-
inggis Khaan (Sükhbaatar) Square
. After lunch visit the
Choijin Lama Temple
Museum
. Watch a
Mongolian cultural show
in the evening. The following day get
up early to visit
Gandan Khiid
in time to catch the monks chanting. Head down to
the
State Department Store
to shop for souvenirs and then make your way to the
Mongolian Statehood History Museum
. Later in the day, head south to the
Winter
Palace of the Bogd Khan
. Finally, climb the steps to
Zaisan Memorial
to watch
the sun set over the city.
