Erdene Zuu Monastery
Erdene Zuu Monastery
4.5
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4.5
123 reviews
Excellent
70
Very good
45
Average
8
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chaletaria
London, United Kingdom557 contributions
Sept 2019
Not necessarily the easiest place to get to, but worth the trip. A mostly intact Mongolian (Tibetan) Buddhist monastery. The wall paintings are particularly worth seeing in the Western and Eastern Temples. A short walk from the rear is the famous tortoise and the site of Karakoram (really nothing left to see). As it is a long way from Ulaanbaatar it’s best combined with other nearby attractions (eg. Karakoram Museum, Tovkhon)
Written 12 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Masood K
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania1,468 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
Expanse over a large area, this Monastery is among the biggest one in Mongolia. We were lucky to be on time to listen to the soothing chant of the Head Priest, who seeing the large number of devotees, organized to set up the chanting outside the temple, even though there were chances of rain.
The moment he started the chant, everyone was in a sort of meditation swaying their bodies in rhythm with the chant.
One should visit this monastery and try and synchorinise it with the chant timing.
The moment he started the chant, everyone was in a sort of meditation swaying their bodies in rhythm with the chant.
One should visit this monastery and try and synchorinise it with the chant timing.
Written 14 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tad L
Lexington, KY97 contributions
Sept 2012 • Friends
Erdene Zuu Khiid is the oldest Bhuddist monastery site in Mongolia founded in 1585. Many of its treasures were hidden during the Stalin purges of the 1920's and '30's and re-constituted after the fall of Communism. The temples are beautiful on the outside and the shrines inside are spectacular. I particularly enjoyed visiting the "working" monastery sight and seeing the monks as they taught aspiring young apprentices. The entire monastery complex is surrounded by a substantive wall with 108 stupas placed at regular intervals. Well worth the time to drive and tour. We spent more than 2 hours viewing the entire site.
Written 24 September 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mariedragon
Huaraz, Peru338 contributions
Jul 2011 • Friends
Erdene Zuu Khiid is a really magical place! It is one of the few Buddhist monasteries in Mongolia to have survived the Stalinist purges of the 1930's, which saw the destruction of 90% of Mongolia's monasteries.
Located near the town of Kharkhorin, it is a truly splendid set of temples enclosed by a huge rectangular wall with 108 stupas. Only 3 temples remain today, 2 of them are in the Chinese-style similar to Amarbayasgalant Khiid, and the third one is in the Tibetan-style. There are some really impressive and beautiful statues, murals, thangkas and tsam masks inside the temples.
It is a fabulous place infused with atmosphere.
I strongly recommend spending a long time here as it is a real joy to wander around the complex. Most tourists come in the morning and only spend an hour or two at the monastery. Once they have gone you will have the whole place practically to yourself!
Located near the town of Kharkhorin, it is a truly splendid set of temples enclosed by a huge rectangular wall with 108 stupas. Only 3 temples remain today, 2 of them are in the Chinese-style similar to Amarbayasgalant Khiid, and the third one is in the Tibetan-style. There are some really impressive and beautiful statues, murals, thangkas and tsam masks inside the temples.
It is a fabulous place infused with atmosphere.
I strongly recommend spending a long time here as it is a real joy to wander around the complex. Most tourists come in the morning and only spend an hour or two at the monastery. Once they have gone you will have the whole place practically to yourself!
Written 30 October 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vinayak
Tokyo Prefecture, Japan107 contributions
Aug 2019
A 360 Km. drive from UlaanBaatar, this is the oldest monastery of Mongolia which will probably be included in your tour of central Mongolia. I found the Thangka Buddhist paintings impressive and was quite fascinated by the fact that some of the gods of Hinduism are present here also. A lady was kind enough to explain the history and background of the place to us(Mongolian only, our guide translated into English).
There is a nice museum nearby which is worth visiting and also a new coffee shop with free WiFi!
Most non natives will probably be taken to the back side of the monastery where there are some ancient tiles and sculptures but the main purpose is to introduce the souvenir shops which you can ignore because half of the stuff is apparently made in China.
There is also a very cute and friendly cat inside the monastery for the cat lovers!
There is a nice museum nearby which is worth visiting and also a new coffee shop with free WiFi!
Most non natives will probably be taken to the back side of the monastery where there are some ancient tiles and sculptures but the main purpose is to introduce the souvenir shops which you can ignore because half of the stuff is apparently made in China.
There is also a very cute and friendly cat inside the monastery for the cat lovers!
Written 6 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SingaTrav3ll3r
Singapore, Singapore621 contributions
Jun 2019 • Family
Admission fees required for see main temple. Best to get someone to translate the temple guide's explanation. There are no signs to explain the exhibits. An hour should be enough to tour the complex. A row of souvenir shops in front of complex.
Written 13 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jarko2015
Amsterdam, The Netherlands1,731 contributions
Sept 2016 • Solo
It is possible to visit the monastery in a day trip from Ulan Bator, but you probably want to consider making an overnight stop en route to or from Western Mongolia. However, there isn't very much to see here, so an overnight stop might prove somewhat pointless. The drive from UB and back will take 10-12 hours, but the scenery is certainly spectacular and as long as your vehicle is comfortable, it can be done easily. The very good news is that the last 2/3 of the journey is on a brand new road. So new that they were still painting the white centre stripes as we drove through.
The monastery itself is completely isolated, built near the site of what was Mongolia's first capital. Nothing remains at all of the city that once stood here, but the museum does show off some of the artefacts they've recovered, which are few. Alas, the Soviets have built power stations and there are several fuel stops surrounding the monastery, rather spoiling the tranquility and isolation. Behind the white walls of the monastery complex are five temples, where a guide will take you around. This is in part to sop you taking any photographs. You might be able to sneak a few, but don't count on it. It's a long, long way to come not to be allowed any material memories. Also inside the complex is a small, active monastery, but entrance is forbidden. Outside the walls are a couple of small rock clusters, the turtle rock to the north and the penis rock to the south, both worth seeing. Other than the museum, that's really all there is. Three hours touring if you're very, very slow, for 10-12 hours driving might not be to everyone's satisfaction, but it is a unique site.
If you take a tour from UB, you will of course have the mandatory visit to a Ger to meet a local family and there's also a small desert east of the monastery, where camel rides are available. If you're staying the night, there are some motels and several camp sites nearby.
The monastery itself is completely isolated, built near the site of what was Mongolia's first capital. Nothing remains at all of the city that once stood here, but the museum does show off some of the artefacts they've recovered, which are few. Alas, the Soviets have built power stations and there are several fuel stops surrounding the monastery, rather spoiling the tranquility and isolation. Behind the white walls of the monastery complex are five temples, where a guide will take you around. This is in part to sop you taking any photographs. You might be able to sneak a few, but don't count on it. It's a long, long way to come not to be allowed any material memories. Also inside the complex is a small, active monastery, but entrance is forbidden. Outside the walls are a couple of small rock clusters, the turtle rock to the north and the penis rock to the south, both worth seeing. Other than the museum, that's really all there is. Three hours touring if you're very, very slow, for 10-12 hours driving might not be to everyone's satisfaction, but it is a unique site.
If you take a tour from UB, you will of course have the mandatory visit to a Ger to meet a local family and there's also a small desert east of the monastery, where camel rides are available. If you're staying the night, there are some motels and several camp sites nearby.
Written 14 September 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bayandorj L
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia33 contributions
Oct 2015 • Business
The Erdene Zuu Monastery (Mongolian: Эрдэнэ Зуу хийд ) is probably the earliest surviving Buddhist monastery in Mongolia. Located in Övörkhangai Province, approximately 2 km north-east from the center of Kharkhorin and adjacent to the ancient city of Karakorum, it is part of the Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape World Heritage Site.
Abtai Sain Khan, ruler of the Khalkha Mongols and grandfather of Zanabazar, the first Jebtsundamba Khutuktu, ordered construction of the Erdene Zuu monastery in 1585 after his meeting with the 3rd Dalai Lama and the declaration of Tibetan Buddhism as the state religion of Mongolia. Stones from the nearby ruins of the ancient Mongol capital of Karakorum were used in its construction. Planners attempted to create a surrounding wall that resembled a Tibetan Buddhist rosary featuring 108 stupas (108 being a sacred number in Buddhism), but this objective was probably never achieved.The monastery's temple walls were painted, and the Chinese-style roof covered with green tiles.
The monastery was damaged in 1688 during one of the many wars between Dzungars and Khalkha Mongols. Locals dismantled the wooden fortifications of the abandoned monastery. It was rebuilt in the 18th century and by 1872 had a full 62 temples and housed up to 1000 monks.
According to tradition, in 1745 a local Buddhist disciple named Bunia made several unsuccessful attempts to fly with a device he invented similar to parachute.
Abtai Sain Khan, ruler of the Khalkha Mongols and grandfather of Zanabazar, the first Jebtsundamba Khutuktu, ordered construction of the Erdene Zuu monastery in 1585 after his meeting with the 3rd Dalai Lama and the declaration of Tibetan Buddhism as the state religion of Mongolia. Stones from the nearby ruins of the ancient Mongol capital of Karakorum were used in its construction. Planners attempted to create a surrounding wall that resembled a Tibetan Buddhist rosary featuring 108 stupas (108 being a sacred number in Buddhism), but this objective was probably never achieved.The monastery's temple walls were painted, and the Chinese-style roof covered with green tiles.
The monastery was damaged in 1688 during one of the many wars between Dzungars and Khalkha Mongols. Locals dismantled the wooden fortifications of the abandoned monastery. It was rebuilt in the 18th century and by 1872 had a full 62 temples and housed up to 1000 monks.
According to tradition, in 1745 a local Buddhist disciple named Bunia made several unsuccessful attempts to fly with a device he invented similar to parachute.
Written 18 February 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
fieldarcher
fieldarcher63 contributions
Jun 2014 • Solo
I visited this Monestry as an independent traveller, to be frank I had always wanted to see the last remaines of ancenit Karokorum (the Turtles) but when I entered the Monastry i was blown away, I loved that there differing temple styles, and the situation rising out of the Steppe. from the monestary it is but a short walk to the remaining Turtle let your imagination run wild and just enjoy
Written 27 March 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Craig M
Porto, Portugal3,047 contributions
May 2014 • Friends
More commercialised and less enjoyable than Amarbayasgalant Khiid, but still worth a visit.
There are several temples of varying sizes spread around the grounds of the monastery, some of which can be entered.
There are several temples of varying sizes spread around the grounds of the monastery, some of which can be entered.
Written 10 October 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kuonhunt
Portland, Oregon
Karen, How did you set up your wonderful guide? I will be coming with a guide provided by a company in UB. Will I be able to take on another guide here who really knows the details?
Thanks!
Written 31 May 2017
kuonhunt
Portland, Oregon
I am a Newar Vajrayana Buddhist (akin to Tibetan Buddhist) and would like to visit inside the temples themselves inside this monastery. My mahavihara priest, Prajwal Vajracharya, would like to write a letter of introduction for me to facilitate this, but we do not know how to address the letter appropriately in this culture or to whom to address it. It would be in Sanskrit with an English translation. Do you have any ideas on how to do this most respectfully?
Written 31 May 2017
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