The Mongolian National Museum was established in 1924 as the first museum in Mongolia. Exhibitions cover prehistory, pre-Mongol Empire history, Mongol Empire, Mongolia during Qing Rule, ethnography and traditional life, and twentieth-century history. The ethnographic collection has significant displays of the traditional dress of various Mongolian ethnic groups and of snuff bottles. Most exhibits have labels in both Mongolian and English. The museum publishes one or more issues of its in-house journal each year, with articles in Mongolian and foreign languages, including Russian and English.
The current building of the museum was built in 1971, when it was erected as the Museum of Revolution. Since April 2008 the museum has been renamed as the National Museum of Mongolia.
Choijin Lama Temple Museum
The museum preserves a rich heritage of Buddhist artifacts. When the monasteries were being built in Mongolia, nearly over 700 monasteries had been built but among them, Choijin Lama Temple has highly distinctive features and history. This is a sublime heritage of Mongolians' history of handcrafts, fine arts, and sculpting of the late 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. Located in central Ulaanbaatar directly south of Sukhbaatar Square, the museum is open year-round (with reduced hours during the winter months). Explanations of the almost overwhelming collection are not as detailed as they could be, but each temple has room attendants who can provide additional material. The museum itself and its objects also show the re-emergence of Buddhism in Mongolia after Communist repression, with a particularly interesting display on Buddhist Tsam dancing and its modern revival.
The temple complex was the home of Luvsan Haidav Choijin Lama, the state oracle lama and brother of the 8th Bogd Khan Jebtsundamba Khutugt. Construction of the monastery commenced in 1904 and was completed four years later. It was closed in 1938 and probably would have been demolished had it not been saved in 1942 to serve as a museum demonstrating the ‘feudal’ ways of the past.
There are five temples within the grounds. As you enter, the first temple you see is the Maharaja Temple. The main temple features statues of Sakyamuni (the historical Buddha), Choijin Lama and Baltung Choimba (the teacher of the Bogd Khan), whose mummified remains are inside the statue. There are also some fine thanka paintings and some of the best tsam masks in the country. The gongkhang (protector chapel) behind the main hall contains the oracle’s throne and a magnificent statue of yam-yum (mystic sexual union).
The other temples are Zuu Sum dedicated to Sakyamuni; Yadam Sum, which contains wooden and bronze statues of various gods, some created by the famous Mongolian sculptor Zanabazar; and Amgalan Sum, containing a self-portrait of Zanabazar himself and a small stupa apparently brought to Ulaanbaatar by Zanabazar from Tibet.
The audio guide offers detailed information, and there are also volunteer guides who can answer your questions.
Bogd Khan Palace Museum
The palace complex was built between 1893 and 1903 for Mongolia’s eighth Living Buddha, and last king, VIII Bogd JebtzunDamba Hutagt. The Bogd Khan had four main imperial residences, which were located between the Middle (Dund gol) and Tuul rivers. The summer palace was called Erdmiin dalai buyan chuulgan süm or Bogd khaanii serüün ord. Other palaces were the White Palace (Tsagaan süm, or Gьngaa dejidlin), and the Pandelin Palace (also called Naro Kha Chod süm), which was situated on the left bank of the Tuul River. Some of the palaces were also used for religious purposes. He lived in the palace museum for 20 years. Later, from 1924, for reasons that are unclear, the palace was spared destruction by the Russians and turned into a museum. The summer palace, on the banks of Tuul River, was completely destroyed and the palace is the only one left from originally four residences of the Bogd Khan.
Currently there are six temples in the grounds; each now contains Buddhist artworks, including sculptures and thangkas. With the Winter Palace, the Gate of Peace and Happiness, the Cooling Pavilion as well as 6 temples, each containing Buddhist artwork, scripture and thangka, such as Naidan Temple and Makhranz Temple, the palace complex consists of a total of about 20 structures. The museum has about 8,600 exhibits and receives over 40,000 visitors annually.
The Bogd Khan’s penchant for unusual wildlife explains the extraordinary array of stuffed animals in the palace. Some of them had been part of his personal zoo – look out for the photo of the Bogd’s
The Winter Palace is a few kilometres south of Sukhbaatar Sq
CHINGGIS KHAAN MUSEUM
Chinggis Khaan National Museum was established in 2019. The museum has more than 10,000 original exhibits ranging exhibits from the first nomadic state, to the beginning of the 20th century.
However, the exhibit is much more than a brilliant collection of artifacts; it’s an immersive experience. At the beginning of the journey, visitors will receive the identity of a Mongolian resident. Whether a warrior, spy, or princess, visitors will follow their life throughout the rise of the great Mongol Empire across six key scenes and eight unique galleries:
In the museum, you can discover the daily life of a nomad on the high plateaus of Central Asia and learn about Chingghis Khan’s earliest struggles as an outcast. Walk into a traditional Mongol ger (yurt) home. Stand in the midst of a herd of stampeding horses.
Rise of the Mongols: Learn how the young, charismatic Genghis Khan united warring tribes in order to form an unrivaled cavalry. Explore the equestrian culture and innovations in weaponry that Genghis Khan mastered in order to control four times more land than any empire in history.
The Walled City: Enter the recreation of Karakorum, the walled city, which became the capital of the Mongolian Empire after Genghis Khan’s son inherited the kingdom. See how life changed for the Mongols once they had vanquished all of their enemies, when arts and diverse religions and cultures flourished as the need for war subsided.
The Silk Road: Learn how Genghis Khan was a ruthless warrior but also a savvy statesman and benevolent ruler. Understand how he developed a written language and a sophisticated society with fair taxation, stable government, appreciation of the arts, religious freedom and open trade along the Silk Road. Explore this vital trade route which enabled the exchange of both goods and ideas between cultures.
The Palace of Kublai Khan: Enter the Chinese palace of Xanadu, the center of the Empire of Genghis Khan’s grandson, Kublai, who became the first Mongol to rule in China. See porcelain treasures and a sword with the emblem of a guardian of Marco Polo, among many others.
Mongolia Today: Understand the distinctive nomadic culture of Genghis Khan’s time which persists to this day as the nation and language he created lives on eight centuries after his rule. Mongolia is a country in transition as traditional ways intersect with the modern trappings of life in the 21st century. Through photography and music, catch a glimpse of this remote Central Asian country and its people.
In the museum, therea are Peace Center, Children’s Area, Open Storage, Interactive Science Gallery, Resource Center, Library, Museum Café and Restaurant.
Modern science has uncovered another legacy of Genghis Khan: his DNA. OMSI’s Genetic Connection exhibit explores gene inheritance and Y-chromosomal lineages to examine how DNA research has found 16 million men to be descendants of Genghis Khan. Visitors will collaborate to complete touch-free challenges as well as consider thought-provoking questions about the controversial actions of Genghis Khan and how genetics can influence our personal identity.
Museum Hours: The Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The Museum is closed on Mondays.
Chinggis Khaan Museum and Peace Center
J.Sambuu’s street, 4th khoroo, Chingeltei District, Ulaanbaatar City, 15141, Mongolia
