Ulaanbaatar

Ulaanbaatar is located in the confluence of Tuul and Selbe river and surrounded by 4 sacred mountains. It lies at the foothills of Bogd Khaan Mountain, covering an area of 4700 sq.km. Ulaanbaatar’s population as of 2020 was over 1.5 million. It means almost 50% of total population of Mongolia. It is located at an average altitude of 1351m above sea level. Ulaanbaatar means Red Hero. This name was given just after Mongolia declared independence from China. Most of the city spreads from east to west along the main road. Sprawling suburbia is limited by the 4 majestic mountains & river. The city is divided into 9 districts and 122 khoroos (subdistricts).
Last 20 years population boom has made it a busy and rapidly developing city. Livestock once commonly seen in the city are no longer visible downtown but Ulaanbaatar is still defined by contrast where modern life blends with traditional lifestyle.

-         History of Ulaanbataar: The foundation of city is closely linked to political life of Mongolia. The City was established in 17th century just before Qing Dynasty domination in Mongolia.

-         In 1639, Zanabazar, direct descendant of Genghis khan, was chosen as the spiritual leader of Khalkha and given the title of Saint. Then city was established as a Buddhist center dedicated to Zanabazar’s residence in Shireet Tsagaan Nuur (in today’s Burd soum, Uvurkhangai province). The foundation of capital City was intended to pursue centralized policy & unify nobleman and people against Manchu statehood (Qing Dynasty) which was on rise in Central Asia.

-       The city changed its name 5 times, location 28 times along the valleys of the Orkhon, Tamir and Tuul rivers, and finally remained in its current location in 1778 as renamed Ikh Khuree. Throughout the years, this city was named Orgoo, Nomiin Khuree, Ikh Khuree, Da Khuree and Niislel Khuree before it was named Ulaanbaatar.

-       After the revolution of 1911, Bogd Khaan decreed the city to be named Niislel Khuree or Capital City. Finally, on the 29th of October, 1924, Niislel Khuree was officially designated the capital of Mongolian People’s Republic and renamed to Ulaanbaatar.

-       Between 1780 and 1870, more than 70 settlements and temples, especially the present-day Gandan Tegchenling Monastery, were built in 1809. In 1861 the Russian consulate was established. The Khuree population increased to 50,000 in 1910

-       Formerly a religious and commercial center, it has been the capital of the country since 1911.

-       According to the 1924 constitution, it was renamed as Ulaanbaatar.