Choijin Lama Temple, Buddhist temple museum in central Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Choijin Lama Temple is a museum complex with five separate buildings arranged around a central courtyard, each topped with green-tiled roofs and supported by wooden posts. The structures are built from blue brick and form a unified compound in the heart of the city.
The complex was built between 1904 and 1908 as the residence of a high-ranking Buddhist lama and spiritual advisor to the ruler. The site survived political upheaval in the following decades and was eventually converted into a museum.
The rooms display Buddhist artwork and sacred objects that show how religion shaped daily life in old Ulaanbaatar. The painted masks and sculptures reflect practices that were central to spiritual and community gatherings.
The museum sits south of Sukhbaatar Square and is easy to reach on foot while walking through downtown. Visitors should expect to pay extra for photography and can choose between audio guides and live guides for more detailed information.
One of the temple buildings houses wooden and bronze statues created by sculptor Zanabazar, including a self-portrait of the artist. These pieces are among the rare surviving examples from this creative period in the city's history.
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