Stupa at the Gandan Monastery

Gandan Monastery, also known as the Gandantegchinlen Khiid Monastery, is one of the most important attractions of Ulaanbaatar. Originally situated in the center of Ulaanbaatar, Gandan Monastery was moved to its present location by the 5th Bogd Jebzundamba in 1838. Over the next century the Monastery grew to include nine dastans or institutes, a library and housed a community of around 5000 monks. Gandan became an important center for learning and practicing Buddha's teachings, hot only in Mongolia but for the entire Mahayana Buddhist community.

In the 1930s, the Communist government of Mongolia ordered the destruction of around 700 Buddhist monasteries, however, the Gandan Monastery was spared. In 1938, it was closed down only to be reopened in 1944. When the Communist goverenment lost power in 1990s, Gandan Monastery was thrown open for public worship. Today, the monastery houses around 150 monks and has 26 meter high 20 ton gilded statue of Migjid Janraisig (Avalokitesvara), decorated with jewels as its prime highlight.