Erdene Zuu Monastery

This is my sixth visit to Erdene Zuu Monastery, and even after all these times, it still feels like I have not had enough. Every visit reveals something new — a detail in the architecture I hadn’t noticed before, a quiet corner where the sound of the wind carries the whispers of centuries past, or the warm smiles of the monks and locals who keep the spirit of the place alive. Erdene Zuu is not only one of the most well-preserved and beautiful temples in Mongolia, but also a wonderful place to deepen your understanding of Himalayan Buddhism. Walking through its courtyards, you are surrounded by centuries of history, from the intricate wood carvings and colorful thangkas to the solemn prayer wheels that invite you to pause and reflect. The monastery embodies a blend of Mongolian and Tibetan Buddhist traditions, offering a rare opportunity to connect with a spiritual heritage that has been carefully protected through the ages. On this trip, I even purchased a ticket that allowed me to take photos inside the temple. Capturing the intricate details, vibrant murals, and serene expressions of the statues was truly special, and I look forward to sharing these images with future guests who plan to visit — so they can already have a glimpse of the beauty awaiting them. Outside the monastery walls, the atmosphere shifts to a lively and colorful scene. There are many souvenir stalls where you can browse a variety of gifts — from hand-crafted jewelry and felt products to traditional artworks. If you want a truly memorable photo, you can rent a set of traditional Mongolian costumes and step back in time for a moment. One thing I deeply appreciate about Mongolia is that shopkeepers are generally fair — prices remain consistent whether you’re buying in a wholesale supermarket, at a small local stall, or even at the airport. For me, Erdene Zuu is more than just a tourist attraction. It is a place where history, spirituality, and culture intertwine in the most beautiful way. Each visit leaves me with a deeper appreciation of Mongolia’s heritage, and I know that no matter how many times I return, there will always be another layer of its story waiting to be discovered.

Amazing place. Make sure to come with a local guide who knows the history and stories of each part of thr Monastery. Took us 3 hours to stroll at ease and explore every corner of the place.

We were worried from the photos it would be crowded. We walked over at 8:50 AM and had the site to ourselves (as tourists), only joined by the monks starting their chant and religious devotees. The next tourists started to arrive at 9:20 and the local tour groups started arriving at 9:45, so if you get there like we did before 9, you can walk around the stupha and listen to the monks chanting without any crowds. Free to enter, the central courtyard is 10k if you want to visit that area.

A very interesting and beautiful Buddhist monastery complex. A must-see in Kharkhorin.

The commentators are great. Coffee was nice, and toilet is not that bad. Parking is very difficult to find during the tourist season. One of the must-see places if you are traveling to Mongolia.

The walls are spectacular but not well maintained so in some places it looks ruined. The buildings are really nice but there are just around 6-10. Inside is almost empty. According to history, there were more than 1000 houses for monks before the 1930's due to the communist purge.

Since it was the Naadam holiday, it was very crowded. Adults need to buy a ticket to enter the religious museum. Children enter for free. The guides explained things very well.

The ancient palace which now becomes a temple. There are three buildings inside each of them have three Buddha statues and each of them have their own meaning. They are ancient statues and beautiful decorations. Behind the palace is a temple building currently many people come to pray and meet the monks. A lady gave me horse fermented milk, my guide asked me to try and its taste quite strange for me. However it made me feel warm after drinking, so fantastic 😊.