Literally the word Ulayanbayatur mean “Red Hero” and from this word the name of Mongolian capital has emerged – Ulaanbaatar. Earlier the name was anglicized as Ulan Bator.
Ulaanbaatar is the largest city of Mongolia with a population of more than 1.3 million, which is about fifty percent of the total population of the country.
Located in a valley of the Tuul River and founded in 1639 as a nomadic Buddhist monastic centre, the Mongolian capital is also the cultural, industrial and financial heart of the country.
Transportation
The capital city is served by Chinggis Khaan International Airport, which was earlier called as Buyant Ukhaa Airport. It is the only airport in the country to serve with international flights. A New Ulaanbaatar International Airport (NUBIA) is however being developed and once completed would replace the existing airport.
The Chinggis Khaan International Airport serves with direct flights to cities of neighboring countries including Tokyo, Seoul, Frankfurt, Berlin, Paris, Irkutsk, Moscow, Beijing, Istanbul, Bishkek and Hong Kong.
The city is also connected with rail network to the Trans-Siberian railways via Naushki and Chinese railway system via Jining too.
The road network is not in good condition and many are unpaved and unmarked.
What to see in Ulaanbaatar
Zanabazaar Museum of Fine Arts
The Zanabazar museum has a good collection of carvings, sculptures and paintings. The building was built in 1905 and carries historical value. in the 1920s the Soviet troops stayed here and prior to this the campus was used as a Chinese Bank. Since 1966 it is an art museum.
Sukhbaatar Square
Hero of the revolution, Damdin Sukhbaatar, declared in July 1921 the country’s final independence from China and so a square in the centre of Ulaanbaatar is called as Sukhbaatar Square bearing a bronze statue of his.
Choijin Lama Temple Museum
The city was home of Luvsan Haidav Choijin Lama and so a monastery under his name commenced in 1904.
Zaisan Memorail
Located on the top of the hill south of Ulaanbaatar, the Zaisan Memorial was constructed by Russians to commemorate unknown soldiers and heroes from various wars.
Winter Palace of the Bogd Khan
Mongolia’s eighth Living Buddha lived in the palace that was built between 1893 and 1903. The Living Budha was last King, Jebtzun Damba Hutagt VIII who was also often called as the Bogd Khan. He lived for twenty years.
Below are some more things-to-do and to-see in Ulaanbaatar:
Sacred & Religious Sites – Migjid Janraisig Sum, Chenresig Temple, Gandantegchenling, Manzshir Monastery, Dashchoilin Monastery, Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, Aryabal Meditation Temple, Tolgoit Mosque.
Nature & Parks
Gorkhi-Terelj National Park, Hustai National Park, National Park Mongolia 13th Century, Four Holy Peaks, Buddha Park, Sky Resort.
Outdoor Activities – Small-Group Horseback Riding Day Tour, Semi-Gobi Tour including Lunch and Free camel or horseback ride, Day tour of Hustai National Park, Day coach tour of Genghis Khan Statue Complex and Terelj National Park, Day coach tour of Genghis Khan Statue Complex.
