Religious places: The Erdene Zuu monastery (Mongolia)

Location

Coordinates : 47° 12′ 6″ N, 102° 50′ 36″ E

Erdene Zuu monastery is probably the most ancient Buddhist monastery in Mongolia, located Uvurkhangai province which near the town of the well- known ancient city of Kharakhorum. Altai mountain is in the south-west. Gobi desert is in the South.

Uvurkhangai is a thriving province, large number of families found themselves living in lower incomes and some are living in poverty and having health problems. It is about 370 kilometers from Ulaan Bataar (the capital and the largest city in Mongolia).

How do we go there?

The easiest way to go is by plane but all flights land at the International Airport which is the only one in Mongolia (Ulaan Bataar).

Then you will have to take the domestic flight to Uvurkhangai.

or by car which will takes all day long

Bumping roads

Dirt tracks. When it rains, cars drive around the puddles which always creating a new route.

History

The monastery was built in 1585 upon the introduction of Buddhism into Mongolia as the state religion. Stones from the ruins of Karakorum (the ancient city) were used to constructed. It is surrounded by a wall with 108 stupas which are all being a sacred Buddhism.

In 1680s, the monastery was damaged by warfare but then it was rebuilt in the 18th century until there were 62 temples inside (about 70 years).

In 1939 the Communist leader had the monastery ruined, as part of a purge, that obliterated hundreds of monasteries in Mongolia and killed over ten thousand monks. It remained three small temples and the external wall with the stupas.

Erdene Zuu was allowed to exist as a museum but not a place to worship. However, after the fall of Communism in 1990, Erdene Zuu then became a place of worship. Today Erdene Zuu remains an active Buddhist monastery as well as a museum that is the tourists destination.

Stupas

temples inside

Monastery wall

Surroundings and Affected by Tourism

Mongolia from google earth

As we can see above, Erdene Zuu still maintain its identity as the time paased. This might be the reason why tourists are willing to visit.Whereas, areas around the monastery are full of houses, roads, markets and shops. Because the monastery was destroyed in the late 1930s, along with plenty of other monasteries and monks all over Mongolia.
A small section of the complex remained, and this is what tourists are desire to visit today.

Uvurkhanngai is lack of development province in the country, but in fact, the lack of development is what keeps the province so beautiful and attract tourists. There are many unexpected situations happen during the trip because of the climate and thaose challage the tourists very much.