Foto: The stupas around Erdene Zuu monastery (bron: Ronald van der Veer)
Mongolia - A watery sun shines through as we open the curtains. At least it’s dry. It seems to have been a good decision not to visit the Erdene Zuu Monastery yesterday, but today instead. At nine o’clock we arrive at the entrance gate of Erdene Zuu. The wall surrounding the complex consists of 108 stupas. The number 108 is sacred in Buddhism. During the communist period, the monastery was closed and largely destroyed. The outer wall and a handful of buildings were spared. Inside the complex, three beautiful temples stand in a row. The western temple houses the Buddha statues of the past, present, and future. The central temple contains the young Buddha, and the eastern temple features the adult Buddha. In front of the temples lie the graves of Genghis Khan’s son and grandson. Also on the grounds is a temple dedicated to the Dalai Lama, a museum, and the golden stupa. At the edge stands the Tibetan monastery, which is still used by monks today. Although the Erdene Zuu complex must have been even more magnificent in the past, it remains a stunning Buddhist structure. It is certainly one of the highlights of Mongolia.
The Genghis Khan Equestrian Statue
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The Naadam Festival
Mongolia - The largest event in Mongolia takes place annually on July 11 and 12, and it’s definitely worth planning your trip around. The Naadam Festival has a centuries-old history. It was originally a religious festival, but today, during these "Mongolian Olympic ...
Ulaanbaatar
Mongolia - Today is a day to explore Ulaanbaatar. We walk from the hotel toward the city center. The Land Rover dealer, located near the hotel, is closed on Sundays. Tomorrow morning, we’ll stop by with Brutus. We’ve heard a strange noise, have concerns about ...