Ulaanbaatar

Ulaanbaatar is the capital and largest city of Mongolia to which its own population (over 1.3 mil. in 2014) is almost half of the country's total population. It is the central of country's road network and it is the main connecting gate of Mongolia to the outside world. Long cold and dry winters and short warm summers are the weather's features to which it is also known as the coldest capital in the world. This city has numerous temples, monasteries and museums and short day trip can take you to the Gorkhi-Terelj National Park.

If you are looking for the best collection of fine arts in Mongolia, this museum has a marvelous display of carvings, paintings, sculptures, Buddhist statues and other exceptional religious demonstrations. Especially, English captions are widely used, so that tourists can easily understand the descriptions and meanings.

Its full name is Gandantegchinlen (meaning 'the great place of complete joy'). Although there are so many temples and monasteries in this country, this place is a 'must-go' due to its long history and infrastructures. Building was commenced in 1838 and it has been opened for foreign visitors since 1944 thanks to the US vice president Henry Wallace's visit on that year.

This was the home of the Mongolia's last king, Jebtzun Damba Hutagt VIII, and eighth Living Buddha (often called the Bogd Khan) for 20 years which was buitt between 1893 and 1903. After the spared destruction by the Russians in the past, this place has been turned into a museum. Buddhist artworks can be found along in 6 temples in the grounds and you can also find a collection of presents gifted from foreign dignitaries such as a ger lined with the skins of 150 snow leopards, golden boots, and robe made from 80 foxes, etc. Last but not least, the display of stuffed animals in the palace also explains the king's enjoyment of wildlife.

This small amusement park is known as 'Children's park' here. It features paddleboats, games and rides. Especially, there is ice skating activities here during winter