The rebuilt hall
A small museum among rocks.
Chongkian — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Laika ac from UK — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Laika ac from UK — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Arabsalam — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Arabsalam — CC BY-SA 4.0
Manzushir Monastery is a quiet site on the south slope of Bogd Khan Mountain, near Zuunmod town south of Ulaanbaatar. Today only a rebuilt hall and ruins among rocks and pine forest remain, but the calm of the valley makes it a lovely outing close to the capital. It suits anyone wanting history and nature together. The monastery was founded in 1733, dedicated to Manjushri, the bodhisattva of wisdom, and came under the country's religious leader in 1750. It became a major monastic centre with 20 temples and over 300 monks, and its largest ceremonies drew more than a thousand. All its temples were destroyed in 1937 and its books moved to the National Library. Restoration followed later. You climb stone steps among large rocks to the ruins, reaching the rebuilt main hall with its small museum. On the rocks above are old paintings and carvings. The valley holds pastures scattered with flowers and pine trees, along with a big bronze cauldron said to have cooked food for the monks. It is about 6 km in a straight line from Zuunmod and about 18 km from central Ulaanbaatar, though the road circles the mountain. You pay at the gate on the road from Zuunmod, and the site closes for lunch according to one source. May to September suits it best. Bring suitable shoes and respect the place, as it remains a religious site.
A small museum among rocks.
Steps and walls on the slope.
Pine, pasture and flowers.
South slope of Bogd Khan Mountain, near Zuunmod, Mongolia
By car or taxi via Zuunmod, as the monastery is about 6 km in a straight line from the town.
Yes. Two hours cover the ruins, museum and valley, and you can return to the capital the same day.