Gandantegchenling Monastery
Gandantegchenling Monastery
4
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
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4.0
653 reviews
Excellent
252
Very good
279
Average
97
Poor
17
Terrible
8
Summerasalifestyle
Malibu, CA3,550 contributions
July 2023
I always try and go to such places. Guessing it might be good for my soul in the here or here after.
Amazing architecture that’s beautiful and historical balanced by the newer stuff.
Yes yes yes
About $10 usd.
Amazing architecture that’s beautiful and historical balanced by the newer stuff.
Yes yes yes
About $10 usd.
Written 23 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gert V
Ballinrobe, Ireland345 contributions
Excellent location. I was in Ulaanbaatar on business. As a practicing Buddhist it was very convenient to stay in the Narantuul Hotel (just 10 minutes walk) and be able to come to the temple in the morning before work.
If you want tranquility and solitude, come here before 09:00 hrs, when most places (including the ticket office :)) are still closed and when you can enjoy Gandan without the hordes of loud tourists with their guides and the attracted souvenir sellers. Buy your incence and feeding grains before you come here.
Around 10:00 hrs the main ceremonies start - if you come here as a tourist, please be respectful to those of us who come here to pray, workship and meditate. I was sitting on a low seat along the walls in one of the temples where the monks were chanting when suddenly a n entire tourist group barged into the temple and always stood on top of us. PLEASE, don't walk around in short or in your underwear !
Gandan is of course a show case - yet if you walk around with open eyes you will find a lot of beautiful small details.
If you want tranquility and solitude, come here before 09:00 hrs, when most places (including the ticket office :)) are still closed and when you can enjoy Gandan without the hordes of loud tourists with their guides and the attracted souvenir sellers. Buy your incence and feeding grains before you come here.
Around 10:00 hrs the main ceremonies start - if you come here as a tourist, please be respectful to those of us who come here to pray, workship and meditate. I was sitting on a low seat along the walls in one of the temples where the monks were chanting when suddenly a n entire tourist group barged into the temple and always stood on top of us. PLEASE, don't walk around in short or in your underwear !
Gandan is of course a show case - yet if you walk around with open eyes you will find a lot of beautiful small details.
Written 6 June 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
burged
London2 contributions
July 2013 • Friends
Came to visit with a few Chinese friends the other day. Was face-apprehended at the entrance and asked to buy a ticket. I asked who set up the discriminatory pricing system and why weren't all people equal before god irrespective of their nationalities. At this point of reasonable inquiry, the thug checking the tickets started shouting obscenities at my Chinese friends, and literally pushed them out of the temple (these are, incidentally, aged and famous professors in China). All of this was accompanied by threats directed at me to the effect that "I'll kill you and get out of Mongolia." The strangest temple experience I have had, hands down.
Written 10 July 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mijb
Worcester, UK92 contributions
Mar 2013 • Friends
Make sure you visit mid-late morning and you're in for a treat as the temple interiors are alive with worshippers in prayer, and the novice monks are welcoming of your attention (in Dechengalba Datsan & Idgachoinzenling Datsan). Magical experience
Written 18 May 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Global768312
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia37 contributions
Jan 2020
If you enjoy Buddhist Temples then this is a nice one. There is a school, office building, temple, meditation huts, and gift shops. This monastery is very pretty, it has huge prayer wheels going all around the temple. The largest statue of Buddha in all of Mongolia is there in the center of the room. If you want to take a lot of photos it will cost 11000 tughrik or 4-5 American dollars.
You can walk around and look at the pretty buildings, visit the temple and shop for prayer beads. Most of the bead bracelets or longer necklaces are semi precious stones. They will tell you what the stones mean, I bought malachite prayer bracelets for 7500 each (2.75 American), it represents good luck and good health.They have other items for sale as well for your Buddhist alter.
It is very cold in January, it would probably be better to see it in the spring or summer.
Well worth a visit if you enjoy temples.
You can walk around and look at the pretty buildings, visit the temple and shop for prayer beads. Most of the bead bracelets or longer necklaces are semi precious stones. They will tell you what the stones mean, I bought malachite prayer bracelets for 7500 each (2.75 American), it represents good luck and good health.They have other items for sale as well for your Buddhist alter.
It is very cold in January, it would probably be better to see it in the spring or summer.
Well worth a visit if you enjoy temples.
Written 12 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
12trvlgirl
Durham, NC130 contributions
July 2017 • Family
This is a temple in active use. Very interesting to hear the chanting, observe worshippers leaving offerings, and listen to the prayers. It didn't feel "touristy," it felt real.
Written 21 July 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Selena B
4 contributions
June 2017 • Solo
It is reachable on foot. In the morning the locals gather for prayer. It is interesting to see between 8 and 10 a.m. Located next to a ger shantytown. Take a walk there and you'll get the feel of real Mongolia.
Written 1 July 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
VirgoLady19
Rotherham, UK558 contributions
June 2017 • Friends
The Gandantegchenling monastery is a lovely, calm and spiritual place, home to the Buddhist community in Mongolia. The buildings are intricate, the statuary gorgeous and the artistry beautiful. Well worth paying the fee for being able to take photos in the main temple. Walk through the capital to get there and pay the fee on the gate rather than book through an agency - its easier and cheaper.
Written 21 June 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MIKEWONG1951
Singapore162 contributions
May 2016 • Couples
Always enter a monastery with your left foot first, never step on the threshold (In fact never step on any threshold, such as entering a GER or any house or building), never turn your back against the alter, for this and when outgoing, you need to walk backwards out of the door.
Written 4 June 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bayandorj L
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia33 contributions
Feb 2016
The monastery was constructed by order of the 5th Jebtsundamba Khutuktu in 1809. The first temple was the Gungaachoilin Datsan. Only one wooden pillar remains from this temple. In 1838, the Gandantegchenlin Temple was built along with the private residence of the Jebtsundamba Khutuktu. The 13th Dalai Lama stayed in the residence in 1904. In 1840, the Vajradhara Temple was built. In 1869, the Zuu Temple was built. In 1913, the tall Avalokiteśvara temple was built. In 1925, the temple for keeping the remains of the 8th Jebtsundamba Khutuktu was built. It is now the monastery library.
Written 18 February 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What are your favorite things to do/see in Mongolia? A group of three of us are taking the train from Moscow to Beijing. We like to get off the beaten path. Trip is Sep & Oct 2018
Written 12 May 2018
I hope others respond as well, as my time did not allow traveling the fullest extent of the country.
In town (UlaanBaatar), you only need a day to get the main sights. I recommend the national museum - very detailed, much information, and quite educational. Just west of Chenggis Khan Square.
You need to organize some trip that includes a ger. You'll be hitting the end of tourist season so the crowds won't be as bad and the temperature may even be 'pleasant.' Nights, however, can be quite cold in the mountains. A ger holds in the heat quite well and only chills down once the fire goes out. With enough layers you'll stay plenty warm.
Terelj is beautiful with the fall colors, so be sure to see that. If you're fascinated by deserts, visit the Gobi.
As I look at all the options, you have a wide assortment of other choices. Hopefully others will add to this and make your decision easier. (As I mentioned earlier, I'm limited!)
Overall, I found the people fantastic! Enjoy!
Written 14 May 2018
Hello Tripadvisor community,
Is Gandantegchenling Monastery opened at night?
Thanks!
Jérémie
Written 4 May 2017
Hi, Jeremie. I visited the Monastery last autumn, and it seemed to me that the territory is opened all night long, because I didn't see any big fence. It looked like a part of the city, some kind of a Buddhist quarter. Although all the temples are closed at night, I guess, but it is not 100% info. Good luck!
Written 8 May 2017
vivientamhk
Hong Kong, China
How much is for an adult ticket and a person above aged 12?
Written 2 June 2015
We didnt see the sign at the temple door so we didnt buy a ticket. My husband said, it is only a donation but we didnt give either.
Written 3 June 2015
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