Gandan Monastery is located in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia. It is the only remaining Tibetan Buddhist monastery in the country and the most spiritually active temple in Mongolia. The monastery has witnessed the rise, decline, and revival of Buddhism in Mongolia.
The establishment of Gandan Monastery dates back to 1809, when the 4th Jebtsundamba Khutuktu set up a Buddhist sutra hall here as an institution for advanced Buddhist studies, providing a tranquil place for monastic scholars to practice. In 1838, the 5th Jebtsundamba Khutuktu carried out a large-scale expansion of the sutra hall, eventually forming a grand complex of religious architecture.
From then on, Gandan Monastery began to flourish. In the mid to late 19th century, it housed over 2,000 resident monks. Countless Buddhist scholars graduated from the monastery, spreading Buddhist culture far and wide.
The architectural structure of Gandan Monastery reflects a blend of Mongolian, Tibetan, and Han Chinese styles. Wandering through the temple complex to explore the fusion of these different cultural influences is a rewarding experience. Beyond the architecture, traces of Mongolian-Tibetan cultural integration can also be seen in the monastery’s daily rituals and ceremonies.
The most awe-inspiring sight in the entire Gandan Monastery is undoubtedly the 26.5-meter-tall statue of Avalokitesvara, also known as the “Golden Buddha”. Crafted from gold, bronze, and precious gemstones, the statue stands as a powerful symbol of the Mongolian people’s deep devotion to their faith.
As you walk through the monastery, rows upon rows of prayer wheels of various sizes can be seen everywhere. Spinning them is believed to accumulate merit and purify the soul.
With its morning bells and evening drums, the Gandan Monastery, nestled in the heart of the city, is considered the “soul of Ulaanbaatar”.
Visit this deeply spiritual Buddhist sanctuary to offer sincere prayers, admire the golden-roofed temples, walk along the prayer wheels, and listen to the monks’ chants—before you know it, a sense of calm will naturally settle in.
