We will begin the route at the new “Genghis” Khan Airport in Ulaanbaatar (inaugurated on July 3, 2021, located 52 km / 32.3 miles away, about 2+ hours of travel depending on traffic), the capital of Mongolia, with reception by the Samar Magic Tours team.
The Danshig Naadam Festival began to be celebrated annually by decree of the Government of Mongolia starting in 2025, during the last 7 days of June (it was previously held in August), in the western part of Ulaanbaatar (in a place known as Hui Doloon Hudag), approximately 35 km (18 miles) away. The Danshig Naadam Festival celebrates ancient Buddhist traditions, such as the Tsam Dance, and is dedicated to the first Buddhist leader of Mongolia, Zanabazar. “Khuree Tsam,” which means religious mask dance, was first introduced to Mongolia in the early 18th century. Dancers wearing masks perform the movements of gods and deities as if the gods had physically descended to Jambutiva (“earth” in Tibetan). Visitors can attend Naadam Festival’s activities such as Mongolian wrestling, horse racing, and archery, as well as musical performances. This is an excellent opportunity to photograph Buddhist dances, traditional wrestling competitions, horse races, and archery contests.
Spiritual journeys to Mongolia with Samar Magic Tours focus on the experience of Tibetan Buddhism, combining the exploration of desert and mountain landscapes with visits to two of Mongolia’s most important monasteries: the great “Gandan” Monastery in Ulaanbaatar and the “Erdene Zuu” Monastery in Karakorum (Central Mongolia). These trips offer the opportunity to connect with nomadic culture, meditate in sacred places, and learn about the Kalachakra Tantra prophecies, which invoke the ideal of Shambhala as a hidden Buddhist kingdom.
– In the first part of this great journey, we will visit the “Gandantegchinlin” Monastery, or “Gandan” Monastery, a historic Buddhist monastery in Ulaanbaatar, known as the “Great Place of Complete Joy.” Founded in 1809, it was the only active monastery in the country between 1944 and 1989, and today houses several hundred monks, serving as the center of Buddhism in Mongolia. Its main attraction is an imposing statue about 25 meters high. Inside, visitors can witness traditional Buddhist ceremonies, including collective prayers, mantras, and rituals seeking inner peace and spiritual balance.
History and Meaning of the Gandan Monastery:
Foundation: The monastery was founded in 1809.
Persecution and Restoration: It was closed during the Stalinist persecutions in 1939 but became the only active monastery in the country until 1989.
Reactivation: Beginning in 1990, it was restored and revitalized, and today it serves as an important center for Buddhism in Mongolia.
Main Attractions
Statue of Migjid Chenrezig (Avalokiteśvara), the Bodhisattva of Compassion: The most famous feature is a statue over 25 meters high of the Bodhisattva of Compassion, made of gilded bronze and adorned with precious stones.
Buildings: It houses several Tibetan-style buildings and serves as the main Buddhist study center.
Teaching Center: Gandan hosts a Buddhist university where monks study philosophy, rituals, and practices. Courses in Tibetan, Sanskrit, and English are also offered.
Religious Activities: Daily ceremonies and rituals, such as chanting and prayer, are held and open to both locals and tourists. The monastery’s prayer drums create a uniquely spiritual atmosphere.
Other Temples and Colleges: The complex includes several temples and colleges, many of which have been rebuilt and restored since the 1990s.
Cultural Environment: The monastery remains an active and vital spiritual center, offering visitors a true experience of the heart of Buddhism in Mongolia’s capital.
About the Statue of Migjid Chenrezig (Avalokiteśvara):
The original statue was made of gold and bronze and erected in 1913 through donations from Mongolians for the Bogdo Khan (the Eighth Javzandamba, who had become Emperor of Mongolia) to help him recover his eyesight. The statue stood 32 meters (105 feet) tall and symbolized Mongolia’s independence from the Manchu system. Twenty-four years later, in 1937, Soviet troops demolished it—its remains are believed to have been used to make bullets during the Siege of Leningrad.
After the democratic revolution of 1990, the government guaranteed freedom of religion. The reconstruction of the statue symbolizes the goodwill of the government and its commitment to ensuring security, freedom, and independence. The Mongolian government and people placed great importance on its rebuilding.
The Dalai Lama inaugurated the new statue of Megjid-Janraiseg (meaning “The Lord Who Looks in All Directions”) in 1996, after five years of work. This 25-meter-high statue, weighing more than 20 tons, is made from copper mined in Erdenet. It is gilded with gold donated by Nepal and Japan and wrapped in gold-embroidered brocade and over 100 kilograms (220 pounds) of silk. The statue contains 2,286 precious stones, 27 tons of medicinal plants, 334 sutras, and 2 million mantras. One thousand small statues of the deity Amitabha (Ayush) surround it. Two stone lion statues are placed nearby according to Buddhist sculptural tradition.
The Temples that Make Up the Monastery:
The first temple of the monastery was built under the initiative of Luvsanchultimjigmed Dambiijantsan, the fifth incarnation of the Bogd. Constructed by Mongolia’s finest architects, the temple was primarily made of wood and earth according to traditional Mongolian architectural concepts of that period, with roofs covered in gold. It also housed highly valuable symbolic Buddhist decorations. Many statues and images of Bodhisattvas within Gandan hold great significance. Among them are:
- A bronze statue of Zanabazar, the first living Buddha incarnation, sculpted by himself at his mother’s request;
- The Tripitaka (Gangiur), a collection of Buddhist teachings in 108 volumes;
- A silver statue of the famous Tsongkhapa of Amdo, made in the 16th century in Western Mongolia.
The Vajradhara Temple, built between 1840 and 1841, is made of stone and brick with ceramic roofs and golden decorations. On the main altar of the Dzu Temple stands a statue of Buddha and his two disciples, created in Dolon Nuur, Inner Mongolia, in the early 19th century. Religious services are held there daily.
The “Dedanprovan” building, built in the early 20th century, was originally a two-story library for the fifth incarnation of the living Buddha, Luvsanchultimjigmed Dambiijantsan. It features ceramic roofs and valuable golden decorations. In 1904, the 13th Dalai Lama stayed there. Today, this fifth building, known as the “Library,” holds more than 50,000 books and 1 million sutras written in Mongolian, Tibetan, and Sanskrit. It also preserves 16th-century surgical instruments.
The temples display the Eight Noble Symbols, Damdin Choijil, Mahayana and Hinayana representations, and sixteen Arhats crafted by Mongolian, Tibetan, and Indian artists. Embroideries and paintings depicting Bodhisattvas by Mongolian artists, as well as numerous satirical drawings and illustrations, are also found throughout the monastery.
The Dechingalav Datsan teaching center was originally located in downtown Ulaanbaatar before being rebuilt within the monastery in 1992. Every spring, this school performs the Kalachakra Ritual. Its construction began in 1800 after the Fourth Bogd Jevzundamba visited the Kalachakra Zuu Baruun Monastery in Tibet. At that time, Lkhokh Jalsrai Gegeen introduced him to the Kalachakra (Wheel of Time) philosophy. The Bogd inaugurated the Dechen Gelpa Datsan in 1801, which functioned until its closure in 1937.
When His Holiness the Dalai Lama performed a Kalachakra initiation in Varanasi, India, in 1990, he announced that the next initiation would be held in Mongolia at Gandantegchinlen Monastery. Preparations began immediately, and the datsan was reconstructed. The initiation took place in 1995. Before that, Tibetan masters visited to teach local lamas how to create a sand mandala. During the summer of 1995, the Dalai Lama visited the monastery and conducted the initiation. Since then, the Kalachakra ritual has been held annually on the 15th day of the last month of spring (lunar calendar).
The Idgachoinzinlin Teaching Center was founded by the Eighth Bogd Jevzundamba, based on the works of Tibetan scholar Sera Jebzunpa. The datsan was destroyed in 1938 but reopened in 1990 thanks to the efforts of his former disciples Tserendemchig and Naidan. A new temple was inaugurated in 2004.
The Tashchoimphel Teaching Center was established in 1756 by the Second Bogd Jebzundamba and Manjusri Khutagtu. It was destroyed in 1938 and restored in 1990; the temple was completed in 1994. The Gungaachoiling Center, founded in 1809 by the Fourth Bogd Jetsundamba, taught the works of the Tibetan scholar Panchen Sonamdagva. The datsan trained over 3,000 lamas, including renowned Mongolian masters such as Agvanrinchen, Darp Pandita, and Zava Damdin Gavju. It resumed activity in 1990 and continues to train new disciples.
The Mongolian Buddhist University, founded in 1970, combines modern education with traditional methods. It offers a four-year post-secondary program with two main divisions:
- Internal Sciences Section: Buddhist philosophy and chanting.
- General Knowledge Section: Tibetan, Sanskrit, and English languages, traditional medicine, and astrology.
The Badam Yoga Teaching Center, built in 1745 by the Second Bogd Jebzundamba, was devoted to chanting and prayer recitation. It ceased activity in 1938 and reopened in 2002 at the Geser Temple, on the eastern side of Gandan. Its main goal is to practice traditional Mongolian medicine and astrology, predicting auspicious and inauspicious dates for events. Doctors diagnose illnesses and treat patients accordingly.
The Lud Teaching Center, founded in 1739 by the Second Bogd Jebzundamba, was closed in 1938 and reopened fifty years later, in 1998. It specializes in tantric services and ritual chants.
Additionally, there are three Buddhist philosophy colleges (datsans), one of medicine and astrology, and two tantric colleges:
- Dashchoimphel College, founded in 1736 by the Second Jebtsundamba, follows the Gunchen Jamyan Shadba principle of the Tibetan Gelug tradition.
- Gungaachoilin College, founded in 1809, follows the Banchen Sodnamdagva principle.
- Idgaachoinzinlin College, founded in 1912, follows the Sera Jebtsunba principle.
- College of Medicine and Astrology, teaching traditional Mongolian medicine and astrology.
- Jud Tantric College and Kalachakra Tantric College, where students are trained in tantric Buddhist practices and rituals.
In Ulaanbaatar, we will also visit the Choijin Lama Monastery-Museum: This monastery-museum, a masterpiece of Buddhist architecture, offers an in-depth look into Mongolian Buddhist teachings and practices. Visitors can admire its sculptures, paintings, and ritual objects, connecting with the spirituality that continues to thrive in the country today. The complex consists of six temples, originally occupied by Choijin Lama Luvsankhaidav, the brother of the Eighth Bogd Jetsun Dampa Khan, who was the State Oracle and Khutugtu of “Precious Wisdom and Clear Devotion” at the time. The complex was initiated in 1904 and completed in 1908 in honor of the State Oracle Lama Lubsanhaidub, brother of the Eighth Bogd Khan. Originally, it was a Buddhist temple complex, comprising a main temple and five subsidiary temples. It remained active until 1937, when it was closed during the height of the Stalinist repression against Buddhism and other religious traditions.
Restoration of the Yadam Temple: Faced with deterioration, one of Mongolia’s few surviving temples from the period of religious repression received international assistance for its preservation. Following the creation of a master conservation plan in collaboration with the Arts Council of Mongolia (ACM), the World Monuments Fund (WMF) organized a scientific advisory team to support the restoration of the Yadam Temple within the Choijin Lama Museum complex. This initiative also promoted local capacity building focused on traditional craftsmanship and conservation techniques.
Funded by the U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) and the U.S. Embassy in Ulaanbaatar, restoration works began in May 2022 and concluded in October 2023, when the official inauguration ceremony took place.
The main temple features an 18th-century gilded statue of Buddha Sakyamuni, with a statue of Choijin Lama Luvsankhaidav to the Buddha’s right and the embalmed body of Baldan Choephel to his left. The temple also holds a rich collection of religious instruments, thangka paintings, silk embroideries, wood carvings, statues, and an impressive assortment of cham dance masks.
An annex within the temple contains another structure known as “Zankhang”, along with a central courtyard where Choijin Lama Luvsankhaidav performed State Oracle trance rituals.
The “Zuu” Temple, dedicated to Buddha Shakyamuni, displays papier-mâché sculptures of Buddha in his past, present, and future forms. The 16 Arhat disciples of Buddha are painted on the temple walls, accompanied by the four Maharaja protectors seated in cave-like niches on either side of the entrance.
The “Yidam” Temple served as Choijin Lama Luvsankhaidav’s private prayer temple, and was once closed to the public. It is now open for visitors. At its center stands a gilded bronze sculpture of one of the 84 Indian yogis, or Mahasiddhas. Also represented are tantric deities such as Kalachakra, Mahamaya, and Vajradhara, depicted with their shakti (consorts) in meditative postures symbolizing power and divine energy.
The fourth temple, known as the “Amugulang” or “Peace” Temple, is dedicated to the first Mongolian reincarnation of Bogd Jevzundamba, Öndör Gegeen Zanabazar.
The Choijin Lama Monastery-Museum preserves a rich collection of Buddhist artifacts. During Mongolia’s monastic golden age, nearly 700 monasteries were built, yet the Choijin Lama Temple stands out for its distinctive history and artistic character. It represents a sublime legacy of Mongolian craftsmanship, fine arts, and sculpture from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Located in central Ulaanbaatar, directly south of Sukhbaatar Square, the museum is open year-round (with reduced hours during winter months).
The explanations of the almost overwhelming collection are not as detailed as they could be, but each temple has room attendants who can provide additional information.
The museum itself, along with its exhibits, also reflects the revival of Buddhism in Mongolia after communist repression, featuring a particularly fascinating exhibition on the Buddhist cham dance and its modern-day resurgence.
T
he Danshig Naadam Festival began to be celebrated annually by decree of the Government of Mongolia starting in 2025, during the last 7 days ofJune (previously it was celebrated in August), in the west of the city of Ulaanbaatar (in a place known as Hui Doloon Hudag), approximately 35 km (18 miles) away.
The Danshig Naadam Festival celebrates the ancient Buddhist traditions, such as the Tsam dance, and is dedicated to the first Buddhist leader of Mongolia, Zanabazar. “Khuree Tsam,” which means religious mask dance, was first introduced in Mongolia at the beginning of the 18th century. The masked dancers perform the movements of gods and deities, as if the gods had physically arrived in Jambutiva (“earth” in Tibetan). Visitors can attend the Naadam Festival activities, such as Mongolian wrestling, horse racing, and archery, as well as musical performances.This is a great opportunity to photograph
Buddhist dances, Mongolian national wrestling competitions, horse races, and archery contests.
– In the third part of this great journey, we will head west to the legendary Karakorum, the ancient capital of the Mongol Empire, where Genghis Khan began the construction of the capital in the year 1220 (later destroyed by the Manchu soldiers). In this place, we will visit the Erdene Zuu Monastery, founded in the 16th century, the oldest Buddhist monastery in Mongolia, representing the enduring influence of Buddhism in the country. With its impressive walls and white stupas, Erdene Zuu stands as a symbol of Mongolian faith and cultural resilience. During the visit, participants will be able to observe monastic life and take part in traditional rituals.
The Erdene Zuu Monastery: It is located in the province of Uvurkhangai, about 2 kilometers from the center of Kharkhorin (Karakorum), in the southern area of the ancient capital of the Mongol Empire, Karakorum. It is part of the World Heritage Site known as the Cultural Landscape of the Orkhon Valley.
History of the Erdene Zuu Monastery: It began to be built by order of Abtai Sain Khan in 1585, after the second introduction of Tibetan Buddhism in Mongolia and following a meeting in 1580, during which the Dalai Lama of that time instructed him to do so. Blocks from the ruins of Karakorum were partly used in its construction. The work was considered complete almost three centuries later with the construction of a wall surrounding the monastery. The sides of this wall measure 400 meters long, and it contains a total of 100 stupas, spaced about 15 meters apart. It was probably intended to have 108 stupas, the sacred number in Buddhism and the number of beads on a Buddhist rosary, although that number was never reached.
The temple walls were painted, and the Chinese-style roofs were covered with green tiles. From its early days, the monastery had a large number of temples, up to 1,000 resident monks, and hosted about 300 Gers (the traditional felt tents of Mongolian nomads), since monks lived both inside the monastery and around its walls.
It suffered damage during the Manchu invasions in the 1680s, although Chinese pressure in earlier years had already caused a certain abandonment, as had happened before with the ancient Mongol capital and base of the monastery, Karakorum. Several reconstruction projects followed: the first led personally by Zanabazar after his return in 1701, which also served to reconsecrate the temples; another began around 1760 and was completed in 1796; and one more, led by the Mongolian architect Manzushir, started in 1806 and finished in 1814.
After the completion of this reform in the early 19th century, the monastery contained 62 complete temples combining Chinese and Tibetan influences and was inhabited by more than 1,000 lamas during its period of greatest splendor.
In 1939, leader Horloogiyn Choybalsan ordered the destruction of the monastery as part of a Stalinist purge that devastated hundreds of monasteries across Mongolia, killed more than 10,000 monks, and sent many others to Siberia. Only five temples remained (including the three main ones still standing today), a few small buildings, and the outer wall with its stupas. The temples were converted into museums in 1947.
It is often said that this part of the monastery was spared from destruction due to pressures from Joseph Stalin. A researcher claimed that these pressures were related to the brief visit of U.S. Vice President Henry A. Wallace’s delegation to Mongolia in 1944.
Despite the devastation, a surprising number of statues, tsam masks, and parchment paintings were saved by being buried in nearby mountains or hidden in the homes of local residents. Even today, thefts still occur, and in the early 2000s, alarm systems had to be installed following the disappearance of several statues.
Erdene Zuu could only continue to exist as a museum because the only monastery officially permitted to remain active in Mongolia was the Gandantegchinlen Monastery in Ulaanbaatar. Even after its transformation into a museum, it did not open for this purpose until 1965, almost twenty years later. This changed in 1990, when the monastery was returned to the lamas, and Erdene Zuu once again became a place of worship. Today, it remains an active Buddhist monastery as well as a museum open to tourists.
The three large temples that survived the purge are dedicated to the three stages of Buddha’s life: childhood, adolescence, and adulthood.
- The western temple, built by Abtai Khan and his son, is dedicated to the adult Buddha. Inside, on either side of Sakyamuni (the historical Buddha), there are statues of Divangar (from Sanskrit Dīpankara), the past Buddha, on the left, and Maidar (from Sanskrit Maitreya), the future Buddha, on the right. The latter is one of the most popular bodhisattvas—a deity who delays his own attainment of nirvana to guide others. In fact, Zanabazar himself, after one of his visits to Tibet, performed a series of ceremonies that included a circumambulation of the monastery while carrying an image of this Buddha, a practice that became traditional in Mongolian Buddhism and is still occasionally performed today. Other objects displayed include a golden “Wheel of Eternity”, the Naimin Takhel or Eight Auspicious Symbols (in this case: umbrella, fish, vase, flowers, cards, fortune diagram, victory banner, and wheel), figurines from the 17th and 18th centuries, and traditional decorations called balin, made from wheat dough and richly decorated, accompanied by mutton and goose fat.
- The main and central temple, known as Zuu of Buddha, has an entrance flanked by the gods Tsagaan Mahagal (from Sanskrit Sita Mahākāla, the White Mahakala) on the left, and Baldan Lkham (from Tibetan Palden Lhamo, Sanskrit Shri Devi; Mongolian name Ukin tengri) on the right. Both are Dharmapalas, wrathful deities with terrifying appearances who are emanations of bodhisattvas. They represent their furious actions and serve to destroy and remove obstacles that stand before sincere followers of the doctrine. Their title Dharmapala literally means defenders or protectors of the Dharma (law).
Inside, on either side of the child Buddha, stand Otoch Manal (from Mongolian Оточ Манла, Sanskrit Bhaiṣajyaguru), the Medicine Buddha, on the right, and Amindavaa (from Mongolian Аминдаваа, Sanskrit Amitābha, translated as Tsaglasi ügei gereltü), the Buddha of Infinite Light and Justice, on the left. The temple also contains statues of Niam and Dabaa, the gods of the sun and moon respectively, several Tsam masks, guardian figures carved in aggressive postures from the 16th and 17th centuries, and samples of works by the revered Buddhist sculptor Zanabazar. - The eastern temple houses a statue representing the adolescent Buddha. The statue to his right is Tsongkhapa, who founded the Gelug tradition or “Yellow Hat Sect” of Tibetan Buddhism. The figure to his left is Migjid Janraisig (from Mongolian, Tibetan Jainraisig, Sanskrit Avalokiteśvara, translated into Mongolian as Nidüber üjegci), the Bodhisattva of Compassion.
(Source: Wikipedia)
On the way back to Ulaanbaatar, we will explore the Uvgun Temple, located in the Khogno Khan Mountain Nature Reserve. This site was destroyed in the 1930s, but it still remains an interesting destination and is included in various tours in Mongolia. The Uvgun Temple was built in the 17th century by Zanabazar, an important religious figure in Mongolia. The Park offers a unique landscape where taiga and steppes meet, and to the north lie the Elsen Tasarkhai dunes (Bayangobi Desert).
– In the last part of this great journey, we will head northeast to visit the Grand Equestrian Statue of Genghis Khan. The statue symbolically points east, toward his birthplace (Khentii Province). At the base of the monumental complex stands a visitor center, 10 meters high, with 36 columns representing the 36 Khans of Genghis from Ligdan Khan. It was inaugurated in 2008. Visitors can ascend to the head of the horse, through its chest and neck, where they can enjoy a panoramic view. The area around the main statue will be surrounded by 200 designed Gers (yet to be built), following the hoof-print pattern used by Mongol tribes in the 13th century.
The museum within the complex features exhibitions related to the Bronze Age and Xiongnu archaeological cultures of Mongolia, highlighting daily tools, belt buckles, knives, sacred animal figures, etc.; and a second exhibition on the Great Khanate period of the 13th and 14th centuries, displaying ancient tools, jewelry, and some Nestorian crosses and rosaries. Adjacent to the museum is a tourist recreation center covering 212 hectares.
At the base of the statue, visitors can see a replica of the legendary Golden Whip of the Great Khan. Near the Grand Statue of Genghis Khan, visitors can take beautiful photos with Kazakh people and their Golden Eagles, enjoy camel rides on Bactrian camels, horseback riding on Mongolian horses across the steppe, and try archery (extra charge paid directly on site).
Next, we will continue toward the Gorkhi-Terelj National Park, located in the northeast, at an altitude of 1,600 meters above sea level, featuring tall Mesozoic granite rock formations, mountains, steppes, alpine forests, and large rock formations of curious shapes from the Mesozoic era, such as the Turtle Rock. It was declared a National Park in 1990 and covers an area of 300,000 hectares. Stop for photos, souvenir shopping, and an easy walk to the Great Turtle Rock, the symbol of Gorkhi-Terelj National Park.
Take an easy hike to the Arryabal Meditation Temple, a Buddhist meditation center located on a mountain slope, notable for its 108 steps leading up to the temple, a gallery with Buddhist paintings, and a thangka depicting the myth of Shambhala, located at the top of a hill.
The Stairs: There are 108 steps, symbolizing the number 108 as an auspicious figure in Buddhism and representing the elephant’s trunk.
Gallery of Buddhist Philosophy: On the ground floor, there are 220 paintings by Bayantsagaan, depicting various Buddhist beliefs.
Main Temple: Dedicated to the Kalachakra philosophy (“the Wheel of Time”) and contains a thangka of the Shambhala myth and a Kalachakra mandala. Buddha Sculpture: A modern Buddha sculpture is carved into the rock of a nearby hill.
