Ulaanbaatar

Overview

Ulaanbaatar is the capital and most populous city of Mongolia. It has 1.67 million people. It is also the coldest capital city in the world by average yearly temperature. The city sits in a valley on the Tuul River at an elevation of about 1,300 metres.

History

The city was founded in 1639 as a nomadic Buddhist monastic centre. It moved many times before being permanently settled in 1778. During its early years as Örgöö (or Urga), it was Mongolia's main religious centre and the home of the Jebtsundamba Khutuktu, the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism in Mongolia.

The city played an important role in Mongolia's history, especially during the independence efforts of 1911 and the communist revolution of 1921. It became the official capital in 1924 and was renamed Ulaanbaatar. Since then, the city has grown quickly, especially after 1990. It is now the cultural, industrial, and financial centre of Mongolia.

However, it also faces serious harmful air pollution in the winter due to coal use.

Names and etymology

See also: Names of Ulaanbaatar in different languages

Ulaanbaatar has had many names over time. In 1639, it was called Örgöö, meaning "Palace." Later, it was known as Nomiĭn Khüree, which means "Khüree of Wisdom," and then as Ikh Khüree, meaning "Great Khüree."

After Mongolia became independent in 1911, the city's name changed to Niĭslel Khüree, meaning "Capital Khüree." In 1924, when the city became the capital of the new Mongolian People's Republic, it was renamed Ulaanbaatar, meaning "Red Hero," possibly to honor Damdin Sükhbaatar. The name was chosen to show the spirit of the Mongolian people.

History

Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, has a long history. People have lived in the area since ancient times.

Before 1639, the area was important for trade and travel. Famous leaders like Genghis Khan are said to have visited. In 1639, a small monastery was founded and moved many times before settling in its current location in 1778. It became a major religious and trading center, especially known for trade between Russia and China.

In 1911, Mongolia declared independence, and Ulaanbaatar became its capital. In 1924, the city was renamed Ulaanbaatar, meaning "Red Hero City." The city grew quickly after Mongolia’s transition to a market economy in 1990. Today, Ulaanbaatar continues to grow, becoming a busy modern city.

Geography

Ulaanbaatar is Mongolia's capital city. It sits about 1,350 metres above sea level, slightly east of Mongolia's centre, along the Tuul River. The city rests in a valley at the base of Bogd Khan Mountain, a large, forested peak.

The surrounding mountains have forests, and the Tuul River has forests of poplars, elms, and willows. Ulaanbaatar shares similar latitudes with Vienna, Munich, Orléans, and Seattle, and similar longitudes with Chongqing, Hanoi, and Jakarta.

The city's centre has buildings from the 1940s and 1950s, mixed with apartment towers and traditional ger districts. Since the 2010s, construction has added tall apartments and offices. Sükhbaatar Square, with a statue of revolutionary hero Damdin Sükhbaatar and Chinggis Khan, marks the city's heart. Nearby is the Government Palace, and Peace Avenue runs along the square's south side.

Notable spots include Gandantegchinlen Monastery, the Zaisan Memorial, Bogd Khan's Winter Palace, and Choijin Lama Temple. Mongolia's tallest building is Tower C of the Shangri-La Hotel, at 120 metres. The Encanto Trade Center, under construction, will stand 150 metres tall when finished.

Shopping areas include the 3rd Microdistrict Boulevard, Peace Avenue around the State Department Store, and the Narantuul Market. Ulaanbaatar has cinemas, a ski resort, large indoor stadiums, department stores, and an amusement park.

Several national parks and protected areas belong to the city. Gorkhi-Terelj National Park lies about 70 km away. The Mongol Olle Trail's Routes 2 and 3 pass through it. The Genghis Khan Equestrian Statue stands 54 km east of the city.

Bogd Khan Uul, a protected area, covers many hectares. Conservation dates back centuries.

The National Amusement Park, south of Shangri-La Hotel, offers rides and games. It has an original Artificial Lake Castle built in 1969.

The National Garden Park, opened in 2009, spans many hectares with many trees. It aims to teach healthy living and environmental care.

Other parks and gardens include Bogd Khaan Memorial Garden, Korea-Mongolia Friendship Forest, and Misheel Botanical Garden.

Demographics

Ulaanbaatar is the biggest city in Mongolia and has grown a lot. In 1979, about 400,000 people lived there. By 2020, the city had about 1.5 million people.

Most people in Ulaanbaatar live in areas called ger districts. Many people were born in the city, but some came from other places.

Religion

Main article: Religion in Mongolia

Ulaanbaatar has many places for different kinds of worship. It was first built for Buddhist monks. You can visit important Buddhist sites like the Gandantegchinlen Monastery and Choijin Lama Temple. Today, the city also has Christian churches and Islamic mosques like the Ulaanbaatar Central Mosque.

Most people in Ulaanbaatar are not religious, but some follow Buddhism, Shamanism, Christianity, or Islam. The Muslim community is mainly made up of ethnic Kazakhs living in Nalaikh.

Governance

Ulaanbaatar is its own special area, not part of the nearby Töv Aimag. It has a city council with 45 members who are chosen every four years. The Prime Minister of Mongolia picks the city's leader, called the Governor of the Capital City and Mayor of Ulaanbaatar, after the council suggests someone.

Districts

Main article: Districts of Ulaanbaatar

The city has nine districts (Mongolian: дүүрэг, romanized: Düüreg): Baganuur, Bagakhangai, Bayangol, Bayanzürkh, Chingeltei, Khan-Uul, Nalaikh, Songino Khairkhan and Sükhbaatar. Each district has smaller areas called khoroos, totaling 204.

Even though Nalaikh and Baganuur are part of Ulaanbaatar, they are run like separate cities. Bagakhangai and Baganuur are special because they are not next to the rest of the city. Bagakhangai sits inside the Töv Province, and Baganuur is on the edge between Töv and Khentii provinces.

Municipal symbols

The city's official symbol is the garuḍa, a special bird from old stories in Buddhist and Hindu traditions, called the Khangar'd (Mongolian: Хангарьд) by Mongols.

The garuḍa is shown on the city's emblem. The city's flag is sky blue for the endless sky and shows the garuḍa in the middle.

Economy

See also: Category:Companies based in Ulaanbaatar

Many of Mongolia's big companies are in Ulaanbaatar. In 2017, the city had five very rich people and ninety others with more than ten million dollars. Some important companies are MCS Group, Gatsuurt LLC, Genco, MAK, Altai Trading, Tavan Bogd Group, Mobicom Corporation, Bodi, Shunkhlai, Monnis, Suu and Petrovis. These companies affect the whole country.

Ulaanbaatar has always been important for Mongolia's economy. Unlike the moving homes of nomads, the city was built to stay in one place. It moved a few times in the past because of wars and invasions, but settled in its current spot in 1778. Since then, it has grown a lot, especially after Mongolia became a market economy in 1990. Today, Ulaanbaatar makes most of Mongolia's goods and creates two-thirds of the country's wealth. Services are now the biggest part of the city's economy, followed by mining, with several gold mines close by.

Culture

Ulaanbaatar has many places where you can learn about Mongolian culture. The Ulaanbaatar Opera House offers concerts, musical shows, and ballet performances. The Mongolian State Grand National Orchestra plays traditional and international music.

The city also has museums with interesting exhibits. The Mongolian Natural History Museum shows dinosaur fossils and meteorites from Mongolia. The National Museum of Mongolia has items from ancient times through the Mongol Empire to today. The Zanabazar Museum of Fine Arts displays beautiful Mongolian art.

Two important old monasteries in Ulaanbaatar are the Choijin Lama Monastery and the Gandan Monastery. The Gandan Monastery has a tall golden statue of Migjid Janraisig.

Main article: List of museums in Mongolia

Education

Ulaanbaatar has many important universities in Mongolia, including the National University of Mongolia and the Mongolian University of Science and Technology. There are also schools that use Western styles, like the American School of Ulaanbaatar and the International School of Ulaanbaatar, where students learn in English.

The city has the National Library of Mongolia, which holds many historical items and has a special area for children. The Metropolitan Central Library is a large public library with many books and free internet. It has smaller libraries in different parts of the city, including one just for children. There are also libraries at universities and special places to learn, such as a library with audiobooks for students who have trouble seeing and a research library at the American Center for Mongolian Studies.

Sport

The National Sports Stadium is the main place for sports in Ulaanbaatar and hosts the yearly Naadam festival. Other important venues include the Buyant Ukhaa Sport Palace, AIC Steppe Arena for indoor skating, and Bökhiin Örgöö for Mongolian wrestling. Sky Resort is a favorite spot for skiing and has a golf course.

Ulaanbaatar has hosted big events such as the 2019 FIBA 3x3 U18 World Cup, the East Asian Youth Games, and the FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup. All Mongolian Premier League football teams play their games at the MFF Football Centre in Ulaanbaatar, even teams that are not from the city.

Infrastructure

Ulaanbaatar is Mongolia’s main hub for roads, air travel, and rail. People get around the city using private cars, buses, trolleybuses, taxis, and informal taxis or minivans.

Buses are the most common public transport, with many routes and stops. There are also trolleybuses and taxis available. The city has many paved roads, but traffic can be slow during busy times. The main railway line runs through the city, and the main airport is located a bit south of Ulaanbaatar, offering flights to many places.

The city's electricity and heat mainly come from large coal-powered plants. These plants also provide hot water to buildings during the cold winter months. Areas outside the city centre must find their own ways to stay warm. The city gets its water from underground sources connected to the Tuul River.

Pollution

Air pollution is a big problem in Ulaanbaatar, especially during winter. The air can have too much dirt and dust, which is bad for people's health. This pollution comes mostly from simple heaters and stoves used in homes, and from coal power plants.

The city is located in a valley between tall mountains, which can trap the dirty air and make the problem worse.

Twin towns and sister cities

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Mongolia

Ulaanbaatar has friendly partnerships with many cities around the world. Some of these include:

• Moscow, Russia (since 1957)
• Hohhot, China (since 1991)
• Bonn, Germany (since 1993)
• Seoul, South Korea (since 1995)
• Irkutsk, Russia (since 1998)
• Denver, USA (since 2001)
• Havana, Cuba (since 2002)
• Ankara, Turkey (since 2003)
• Oakland, USA (since 2006)
• Elista, Russia (since 2010)
• Gaziantep, Turkey (since 2010)
• Beijing, China (since 2014)
• Novosibirsk, Russia (since 2015)
• Ulan-Ude, Russia (since 2015)
• Incheon, South Korea (since 2017)
• Bangkok, Thailand (since 2017)
• Astana, Kazakhstan (since 2019)
• Chongqing, China (since 2022)
• Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan (since 2023)
• Ashgabat, Türkmenistan (since 2025)