Our first full day in the capitol city of Ulaanbaatar (also known as “UB”), was a slow walking tour we did on our own. We chose 3 places to visit, the Yampai Guardian Door, the Choijn Lama Temple Museum, and the “Zero Point”, also known as the center of Ulaanbaatar.

Yampai, also known as the Guardian Door, is a tourist attraction in Ulaanbaatar. This site offers cultural heritage and architecture that was designed primarily as a backdrop for tourists. Although it looks ancient, the actual building date is 1904-1908. It was established as an entrance to the tourist area of Ulaanbaatar. Not ancient but worth a few photos.

Off and running. Nope. Made it to the gate and the place was blocked off by UB’s finest. Seems there was a dignitary visiting and we would have to come back in an hour or so, according to the English speaking officer. We also noticed that the Temple Museum was in the same courtyard as the Guardian Door so let’s shoot for number 3, the Zero Point. Easy enough, this country has GPS so a simple stroll to the center. Biggest challenge now is crossing the street. Thanks to the ex-owners of Ulanbaatar (hint: USSR), people are not a priority, cars are! Finding a cross walk is difficult at best, they are few and far between. Far may be an understatement because we had to walk a NY city block to find one. But we made it.

Cute sculpture celebrating the Asia-Europe Meeting 2016

The Conductor

Modern UB

Performing Arts building with high rise

Welcome sign

We arrive at where GPS says the “center” is located but we found no marker or monument, but we did find a massive statue of Chinggis Khan. Turns out Japan gave this huge statue to Mongolia in recognition of the many years of peace they share. Also turns out this place is called “Sukhbaatar Square” and “Chinggis Square”. The square was originally named after Damdin Sukhbaatar, who declared Mongolia’s final independence from China in 1921. He is depicted on a horse, pointing to the sky and calling for his fellow countrymen to rise up and fight. The statue was erected in 1943 to recognize the 25^th anniversary of the Peoples Revolution.

Damdin Sukhbaatar

In 2013, the square’s name was changed to Chinggis Khan Square in recognition of the founding father of Mongolia but that didn’t last long. In 2016, the square’s name was reverted back to Sukhbaatar Square.

Chinggis Khan Square

Enough trekking in UB, let’s find a coffee shop and have a fika. Found a great little spot called “Sip” serving coffee, pastries, and a limited lunch menu. Great, time for a snack and coffee. I decided to try the pepperoni pizza and a hibiscus tea, while Collette went for the chicken soup and a grapefruit tea. Both were excellent!

Pepperoni pizza and chicken and veggie soup, with a chunk-o-corn

Finished our break and headed out for the temple and the gate. Got some shots from outside the temple, seemed to be sufficient, then the gate. Later we read that the gate was erected in 1908 so not really a big deal.

Tourist gate

The Choijin Lama Temple complex was built at the order of the eighth Javzandamba Khutagt, spiritual leader of Mongolian Buddhism (or Bogd Khan) and later head of the Bogd Khaganate in Mongolia following its independence in 1911. The complex was dedicated to his younger brother, the sitting Choijin Lama, or protector of Buddhist teachings in Mongolia. The Choijin Lama served as the official state oracle of Mongolia and occupied the temple until his death in 1918. Now you know.

Temple museum front

Temple museum

Eave detail

Continued on to home but not before stopping at a grocery store to stock up for three days. One great thing about Mongolia, they LOVE vodka! Could be the Ruskie influence but who cares, there are 20 different brands of vodka in the grocery store. Why not try Chinggis Khan Gold! Grabbed a bottle, a few goodies for breakfast, dinner, then off to the apartment. Done for the day.

Kinda fits

Tomorrow is laundry day and hanging out. Got to save our energy for the tour.

Til tomorrow, Comrade.