SUBURBS OF ULAANBAATAR
Amarbayasgalant Monastery (Khiid)
Amarbayasgalant Khiid is considered to be the most important monastery in Mongolia after Erdene Zuu Khiid in Kharkhorin. It's also one of the most beautiful monasteries. It was originally built in 1737 by the Manchurian king Kansu and dedicated by him to the great Mongolian Buddhist and sculptor, Zanabazar. The communists found their way here in the 1930s and destroyed 10 of the 37 temples and statues. These days the temples are normally closed but you can ask the head monk to open them and you're welcome to watch the 30 resident monks conduct their daily ceremonies.
A daily bus and frequent express trains link Ulaanbaatar and Darkhan, which is 219km north-west of the capital. The monastery is 140km south-east of Darkhan. You need a jeep to reach the monastery from Darkhan. |
