Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Four Days
On day three visit the
Zanabazar Museum of Fine Arts
and then head over to
Naran Tuul Market
. In the evening down a pint or two on the deck of the
Grand
Khaan Irish Pub
and then hit
iLoft
nightclub after midnight. On day four take a day
trip out of town to mountain bike to the
Observatory
or hike over the
Bogdkhan
Uul
. Have dinner at
Namaste
then listen to live music at
River Sounds
.
Sights
Most sights are located within a 15-minute walk of Chinggis Khaan (Sükhbaatar) Sq.
The Winter Palace of the Bogd Khan and the Zaisan Memorial are a short bus ride south
of the city. Gandan Khiid is about 2km to the west.
Chinggis Khaan (Sükhbaatar) Square
In July 1921 in the centre of Ulaanbaatar, the 'hero of the revolution', Damdin Sükh-
baatar, declared Mongolia's final independence from the Chinese. The
square
now fea-
tures a bronze
statue of Sükhbaatar
astride his horse. In 2013 the city authorities
changed the name from Sükhbaatar Sq to Chinggis Khaan Sq, although many citizens
still refer to it by the old name.
Peaceful anti-communism protests were held here in 1990, which eventually ushered
in the era of democracy. Today, the square
(talbai)
is occasionally used for rallies, cere-
monies and rock concerts and festivals, but is generally a relaxed place where kiddies
drive toy cars and teens whiz around on bikes. An ice-skating rink is set up on the square
in winter. Near the centre of the square, look for the large
plaque
that lists the former
names of the city - Örgöö, Nomiin Khuree, Ikh Khuree and Niislel Khuree. The large
warehouse
on the square houses temporary exhibits. Poke your head inside to see what's
on.
Modern Art Gallery (
Click here
)
and several other cultural institutions. At the southeast
corner of the square, the salmon-pinkish building is the State Opera & Ballet Theatre
(
Click here
)
. Just south of the Opera House is the symbol of the country's new wealth,
ton and Armani.
