Erdene Zuu monastery
About Erdene Zuu monastery
Situated near the ancient city of Karakorum, the Erdene Zuu monastery is one of the most ancient Buddhist monasteries in Mongolia. It was built in 1585 when Buddhism was introduced as the state religion, and was constructed using stones from the ruins of Karakorum.
The walls of the monastery featured 108 stupas (a sacred number in Buddhism) and a number of temples. Erdene Zuu was mostly destroyed in 1939, although part of the smaller temples were preserved and turned into a museum. Today, the monastery is functional, although the museum is still maintained.
Nearby to the monastery is turtle rock, as well as a phallic rock.
The walls of the monastery featured 108 stupas (a sacred number in Buddhism) and a number of temples. Erdene Zuu was mostly destroyed in 1939, although part of the smaller temples were preserved and turned into a museum. Today, the monastery is functional, although the museum is still maintained.
Nearby to the monastery is turtle rock, as well as a phallic rock.
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Getting there:
Situated near the town of Kharkhorin, adjacent to the ancient city of Karakorum. The trip from Ulaanbaatar takes approximately 5 hours by car.
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First To Review:
Apr 25, 2009
Erdene Zuu Khiid is a really magical place! It is one of the few Buddhist monasteries in Mongolia to have survived the Stalinist purges of the 1930's, which saw the destruction of 90% of Mongolia's monasteries.
Located near the town of Kharkhorin, it is a truly splendid set of temples enclosed by a huge rectangular wall with 108 stupas. Only 3 temples remain today, 2 of them are in the Chinese-style similar to Amarbayasgalant Khiid, and the third one is in the Tibetan-style. There are some really impressive and beautiful statues, murals, thangkas and tsam masks inside the temples.
It is a fabulous place infused with atmosphere.
I strongly recommend spending a long time here as it is a real joy to wander around the complex. Most tourists come in the morning and only spend an hour or two at the monastery. Once they have gone you will have the whole place practically to yourself!
Located near the town of Kharkhorin, it is a truly splendid set of temples enclosed by a huge rectangular wall with 108 stupas. Only 3 temples remain today, 2 of them are in the Chinese-style similar to Amarbayasgalant Khiid, and the third one is in the Tibetan-style. There are some really impressive and beautiful statues, murals, thangkas and tsam masks inside the temples.
It is a fabulous place infused with atmosphere.
I strongly recommend spending a long time here as it is a real joy to wander around the complex. Most tourists come in the morning and only spend an hour or two at the monastery. Once they have gone you will have the whole place practically to yourself!
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