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Ulaanbaatar (means Red Hero), is the capital
of Mongolia, main center of politics, business
and finance, culture and science. Named after
the establishment of the capital earlier last
century by Communist zealots. The capital is a
unique mix of Russian inspired architecture; incredibly
slim girls with platform shoes, bright lights,
discos and internet cafes, all hurried attempts
to rush into the 21st century; and the older generation,
taking life slow, sitting with their grand children
and chess sets in the sun wearing their time faded
deels. Take your time to look at this unique city
from all its many and varied aspects.
Ulaanbaatar is situated in central east Mongolia.
The city spreads from east to west along a large
wide valley. The capital had changed its location
more than twenty times prior to settling down
in the present day site at the altitude of 1,351
meters above the sea level along the River Tuul
trimmed by Bogd Khan Mountain in the south and
surrounded by three other mountain ranges- Bayanzurkh,
Chingeltei and Songino Khairkhan.
The city marked its 360th anniversary of foundation
on October 26, 1999. It is the home for the one
third or about 800,000 people of the nation's
population. The capital city is the hub of international
and domestic flights, train service and long distance
buses. As the cultural and academic centre of
the nation, Ulaanbaatar is the seat of major art
and culture establishments, museums, and educational
institutions. Monasteries are an integral part
of the city.
Often called UB by foreigners, Mongolia's capital
had the look and feel of a neglected 1950s European
city. But the old Soviet cars and buses are slowly
being replaced by newer Japanese, Korean and western
versions. Ulaanbaatar is dominated by communist
style highrise apartment buildings, but about
300,000 locals also live in the extended ger suburbs
on the outskirts of town.
The main road through the city is Enkh Taivny
Orgon Choloo or Peace Avenue. The centre of the
city is Sukhbaatar Square, from where all other
distances are measured. From this spot in July
1921 Damdiny Sukhbaatar, the 'hero of the revolution',
declared Mongolia's independence. The square was
also where the first protests were held in 1989
which eventually led to the fall of communism.
On normal days, it's a serene place where only
pigeons and peddling photographers do much of
anything. The grey State Parliament House faces
the square, as does the tall, modern Palace of
Culture, a useful landmark containing the impressive
Mongolian Art Gallery and other odes to Mongolian
culture.
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