Tourist Map (22KB); Mongolia Destinations (main page)
If you are in Darkhan city, north-west of Ulaanbaatar (219km/136mi), make an effort to stop by Amarbayasgalant Monastery located 140km/87mi from Darkhan city, though it can be reached only by jeep. After Erdene Zuu, the Amarbayasgalant is considered the second most important monastery in Mongolia and sure it is also one of the most beautiful. It was originally built in 1737 by the Manchurian King Kansu, who dedicated it to the great Mongolian Buddhist and sculptor, Zanabazar. In the 1930s, 10 of the 37 temples and few statues were destroyed. These days the temples are normally closed, but usually, if to ask the head monk to open them, it is possible to witness a ceremony and daily rituals practiced by new generation of monks.
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