Central to the city centre of Ulaanbaatar you find the Genghis Khan Square. Until 2013, it was still called Sükhbaatar square because Damdin Sukhbataar declared independence from China in 1921. This “hero of the revolution” is displayed as a huge statue in the middle of the square, sitting on his horse.
On the north side is a large marble structure with a bronze Genghis Khan statue on it, flanked by two Mongolian soldiers on horseback (Ögedei and Kublai). Directly behind it you will find the Parliament building.
Around the square there are some other notable buildings such as the Cultural Palace containing the Mongolian National Modern Art Gallery, the pink-coloured State Opera & Ballet Theatre, the luxury shopping Tower Central Tower and the Stock Exchange building of the Mongolian Stock Exchange.
The Genghis Khan Square is used for festivals and events, sometimes for protests and ceremonies. Here we saw the Naadam Festival opened with an impressive ceremony full of soldiers and horses and we experienced how it ended with fireworks and a concert.
Travelling with children? Take a look at the toy cars that kids themselves are allowed to drive while an employee with the remote control is walking behind the car, or rent a tandem bike for a spin around the square.