Suspension bridge
Over the stream.
Chongkian — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Smnirven — Public domain · Römert — CC BY-SA 4.0 · GlacierNPS — Public domain
A Buddhist temple and meditation centre on a rocky mountainside in the Terelj valley, built recently in traditional temple style; its shape is said to resemble an elephant's head, with the long stairway as its trunk. It is one of the park's finest viewpoints. Visitors cross a small suspension bridge over a stream, then follow a path through trees lined with wooden boards of Buddhist sayings, then a long stone stairway climbing among the rocks to the temple with its curving coloured roofs and red prayer wheels along the veranda. The temple terrace opens onto the whole valley: green meadows, white ger camps, rocky mountains and pine forest, a calm and sweeping view. The place is meant for meditation, so silence reigns. The entry fee is small, and the moderate climb takes about half an hour. Monasteries are living places of worship: dress modestly, walk clockwise around temples and prayer wheels, and ask before taking photos inside, as some charge a photo fee. June to September is the best time; winters are bitter, with temperatures far below freezing.
Over the stream.
Among the rocks.
The whole valley.
Mountainside in Gorkhi-Terelj National Park
About half an hour from the car park over the bridge, path and stone stairway; the climb is moderate.