heymongolia
Monasteries & temples

Gandan Monastery

Mongolia's largest working monastery, home to a 26 m golden statue of Avalokiteshvara.

Gandantegchinlen (Gandan) is the centre of Buddhism in Mongolia, with several temples and a monastic college. The main hall houses Migjid Janraisig, a 26 m gilded statue rebuilt in the 1990s. Visit in the morning to hear the monks chanting.

  • Region: Ulaanbaatar (Ulaanbaatar)
  • Best time: All year, mornings
  • Time needed: 1 hour
  • Entry: Fee for the main temple

Tips

  • Walk clockwise and spin the prayer wheels clockwise.

Tours that visit Gandan Monastery

  • Golden Eagle Festival (7 days · Altai & the west · Nomadic Expeditions · from $7,115)
    A 7-day group trip from Ulaanbaatar to Bayan-Ulgii for the Golden Eagle Festival, with a trek around Tolbo Lake, Kazakh family visits and ger camp stays.
  • Golden Eagle Festival (8 days · Altai & the west · Nomadic Journeys · from $3,950)
    An 8-day October trip flying from Ulaanbaatar to Bayan-Ulgii for the Golden Eagle Festival, with an eagle hunter family visit and a temporary ger camp stay.
  • Ulaanbaatar City tour (1 days · Ulaanbaatar · Nomadic Journeys · from $140)
    A guided full-day sightseeing tour of Ulaanbaatar covering the main monastery, central square, museum, palace and hilltop memorial, with lunch included.
  • Ulaanbaatar City Tour (1 days · Ulaanbaatar · Sky Ice Telmuun Tours (Mongol Tours) · from $130)
    A one-day guided tour of Ulaanbaatar's main sights, including Gandan Monastery, Sukhbaatar Square, the national history museum and the Bogd Khan Winter Palace.
  • Wilderness Khustai and Beautiful Terelj National Park (6 days · Terelj & Khentii · Sky Ice Telmuun Tours (Mongol Tours) · from $1,150)
    A 6-day trip based in Ulaanbaatar with stays at Khustai National Park and Terelj National Park, nomadic family visits and the Chinggis Khaan Equestrian Statue.
  • Mongolia Buddhist Monasteries Tour (6 days · Several regions · Mongolian Four Seasons Travel)
    A 6-day tour of Buddhist monasteries in and around central Mongolia, from Gandan and Erdene Zuu to Tuvkhun and Manzushir, staying in ger camps.
  • UB City Night Tour (1 days · Ulaanbaatar · Sidecar Touring Mongolia (Anna Line) · from $90)
    A private late-evening sidecar ride of two to three hours around Ulaanbaatar, passing Gandan Monastery, Sukhbaatar Square, Zaisan Hill and the Tuul River.
  • Birthplace of Chinggis Khaan tour (9 days · Terelj & Khentii · BT&TC Travel · from $2,049)
    A 9-day 4WD loop from Ulaanbaatar through Khentii province to sites linked to Chinggis Khaan, including Deluun Boldog and Dadal, ending in Terelj National Park.

Nearby places