THE REGIONS OF MONGOLIA
SIGHTS OF INTEREST IN ULAANBAATAR
If you are planning to travel to Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar
(Ulaanbaator) city, the capital, will be your first stop. This is the city that hosts the only
international airport of the country and the single international rail line -
the Trans Siberian
railway. Often described as sunny, peaceful and open,
Ulaanbaatar is a city of contrast where modern life comfortably blends with
Mongolian traditional lifestyle. With close to 700,000 residents, the city
claims almost half of the nations population, with old Soviet cars in the
streets, Russian-style high-rise apartment blocks dominating the city center and
traditional gers in the suburbs.
BEST ULAANBAATAR SIGHTS
OTHER PLACES TO VISIT IN ULAANBAATAR
- Sukhbaatar Square.
In July 1921 in the centre of Ulaanbaator, the 'hero of the revolution',
Damdin Sukhbaatar, declared Mongolia's final independence from the Chinese. The Square now bears his name
and features a statue of him astride his horse. The words he apparently proclaimed at the time are engraved on the bottom of the statue: 'If we, the whole people, unite in our common effort and common
will, there will be nothing in the world that we cannot achieve, that we will not have learnt or failed to do.'
- Nairamdal Park. Also called the National Recreational Park, Nairamdal Park (Friendship Park) is looking a bit sad and neglected these days, but it is a nice enough place to walk around. It is quite
photogenic on Sundays when hundreds of children descend upon it. There are the usual children's rides, including a Fen-is wheel (agonisingly slow, but with great views from the top) and, our favourite, the 'aerobicycle', a sort of tandem bike on a monorail track 3m high. A lake in the south of the park offers boat rides in summer and ice-skating in winter.
- The State Central Library – ancient sudras and other old manuscripts. State Central Library was founded in 1924. Funds of the library include valuable editions of books , which represent cultural heritage of Mongolians. These include the complete manuscript
copy of Kanjir, collections of books "Mongolica" and the "Secret History of Mongols" written in 1240, as well as "Altan tobci"(Golden
Annals) - the only copy of Mongolian historical chronicles compiled in XYIII century.
- The Zaisan Memorial. The tall, thin landmark on top of the hill south of the city is the Zaisan Memorial. Built by the Russians to commemorate 'unknown soldiers and heroes' from various wars, it offers
the best views of Ulaanbaatar and the surrounding hills. The views, are better at night, however, when you can't see the ugly power stations and the layers of dust and pollution, but there's no
public transport there after 10 p.m. (when the sun sets in summer).
- The Naadam Festival is the prime event of the
year in Mongolia with antique roots. It is held all over the country,
but the festivities in the countryside cannot compare to the major
celebration in Ulaanbaatar (every year between 11th - 13th of July). People
are competing in the three "manly sports" - horse racing,
archery and wrestling (though women are allowed to participate in the
first two). The sports activities are accompanied by all other kinds of
celebrations - singing, dancing, feasts. One of the main reasons why
this event is worth visiting is the festive mood that could be felt all
around the country.
- The legendary 'Beatles' group carrying a message of freedom, not only to Mongolia's youth, but to the whole world, has been widely 'welcomed' by
Mongolians. On October 9, 2008, a monument to the famous Liverpool stars was inaugurated on the square fronting the State Department Store.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
PAGES OF THE PICTURE ALBUM. ULAANBAATAR TODAY
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