Ulaanbaatar Cultural Life

When the city lights come on and the daily rhythm fades, you might find yourself in one of Ulaanbaatar's theaters. Each theater has its own repertoire and all of them together show off the richness of Ulaanbaatar's cultural life. Comedies or melodramas, operas or musicals, classical or modern ballet, contemporary stage or the playful world of puppets... the choice is vast and the theater is an attraction where your world is replaced by another ...

Gandantegchilen Monastery, the only working Buddhist monastery that has stood the test of time having been allowed to hold religious services on a daily basis during the years of communism, a symbol of the spiritual past of the Mongols. One of the temples houses the tallest standing Buddha statue in Central and East Asia: the Migjid Janraisig, the Buddha of the Future. The intricate roofs of the monasteries depict the artistic techniques honed by centuries and passed down from generation to generation. The cobblestones of the Gandantegchilen, Dashchoilin Khiid and Choijing Lama monasteries, the latter now a museum, whisper in your ear the stories of the early settlers that take you back to the 17th century.

WHAT TO SEE IN ULAANBAATAR

The Bogd Khaan Winter Palace Museum

The palace and temple were built between 1893 and 1903 and served as the home of the last religious leader of the Mongolian theocracy, the Eighth Bogd Javzan Damba Khutagt. The museum displays religious and cultural artifacts dating from the 17th century to the early 20th century.

Opening hours: 09:30-17:00 daily (except Thursday).

Location: Chinggis Avenue

National Museum of Mongolia

The museum was founded in 1924. It currently has seven halls with exhibits that depict the history of the Mongolians, from the first human settlement from the Eurasian steppes. There are more than 46,000 archaeological, historical and ethnographic artifacts.

Open: 10:00-17:00 (except Sunday and Monday).

Location: West of the Parliament

Natural History Museum

The museum was founded in 1956 with a single hall containing exhibits of geography, flora, fauna and fossils. Since then the museum has continuously expanded the range of its exhibits, which are now housed in 40 different thematic halls.

Open: 10:00-16:30 daily from June to September.

Location: North of Parliament

Choijin Lama Monastery Museum

A former monastery and temple complex whose collections include the most complete collection of 108 masks used in the ceremonial Tsam dance.

Open: 9am-6:30pm daily.

Location: Genden Street, north of the National Culture and Recreation Park.

Museum of Fine Arts, Zanabazar

Named after the First Bogd Khaan, theocratic leader and renowned scholar, philosopher, sculptor and painter, Zanabazar, the museum houses religious paintings and sculptures from prehistoric times to the early 20th century.

Open: 10am-6pm (except Saturday and Sunday).

Location: Juulchin Street, West of Trade and Development Bank

Mongolian National Gallery of Modern Art

Mongolian National Gallery of Modern Art regularly collects modern and contemporary Mongolian paintings, sculptures, prints, handicrafts and other emerging art forms or artifacts of outstanding identity and originality. The Gallery focuses on modern and contemporary Mongolian works from the beginning of the 20th century to the present.

The Gallery has a comprehensive database of Mongolian artists and painters that is updated regularly. Since its foundation, the Gallery has continuously enriched its collections with the support of state funding. Visitors have a great opportunity to familiarize themselves with Mongolian art and culture. The Modern Mongolian artworks and sculptures preserved in the Gallery represent a unique collection that combines Eastern and Western techniques. In this sense, it has gained great appreciation from both Mongolian and international art experts and viewers.

Open: 9:00-17:00.

Location: Central Cultural Palace B complex, East of Sukhbaatar Square