Erdene Zuu
Erdene Zuu
Erdene Zuu (Kharkhorin 62090) – located 5 hours (365 km) west of the capital, the name Erdene Zuu translates to “100 Treasures,” a name that refers to the many temples and stupas that originally surrounded this monastery. Erdene Zuu is thought to date back at least to the 16th century, perhaps further, and it is the oldest monastery in Mongolia that is still standing today.
Although much of it was destroyed in the 1930s, and its inhabitants murdered or imprisoned several of the central temples of Erdene Zuu were kept standing to serve as a museum for important visitors like former US Vice President Henry Wallace. Today, the site is a monastery again, although it is also still a museum, and the lamas who live there hope one day to return it to its former glory. Free admission.