SelengeThings to do

Things to do in Selenge

  1. Amarbayasgalant Khiid

    Amarbayasgalant Khiid was originally built between 1727 and 1737 by the Manchu emperor Yongzheng, and dedicated to the great Mongolian Buddhist and sculptor, Zanabazar, whose mummified body was moved here in 1779. The monastery is in the Manchu style, down to the inscriptions, symmetrical layout and imperial colour scheme.

    The communists moseyed in around 1937, but 'only' destroyed 10 out of the 37 temples and statues, possibly because of sympathetic and procrastinating local military commanders. The monastery was extensively restored between 1975 and 1990 with the help of Unesco. These days about 30 monks live in the monastery, compared with more than 2000 in 1936.

    The te…

    reviewed

  2. A

    Museum of Darkhan-Uul

    This museum contains a well-laid-out collection of archaeological findings, traditional clothing, religious artefacts and a few obligatory stuffed animals. Its most valued piece is the original painting of Lenin meeting Sükhbaatar, a classic work of myth-making, painted by B Tsultem in 1953. The museum is upstairs in a building on the northern side of the shopping square, across from the minibus and taxi stand.

    reviewed

  3. B

    Kharaagiin Khiid

    Probably the most interesting sight in Darkhan is this monastery. Housed in a pretty log cabin in the old town, it has a host of protector deities and a tree encased in blue khatag (silk scarves). Until 1989 the building served as an elementary school.

    reviewed

  4. C

    Texas Pub

    Roy Rogers could not have designed a better restaurant. This Texan-themed joint, just south of the Darkhan Hotel in the new town, has an English-language menu with Hungarian goulash, steaks, salads and pasta plus Chinggis beer on tap.

    reviewed

  5. D

    Seated Buddha

    One of two new monuments across the road from each other, near the roundabout between the new and old towns. Both are congregating points for locals who hang out here at sunset.

    reviewed

  6. E

    Morin Khuur Statue

    One of two new monuments across the road from each other, near the roundabout between the new and old towns. Both are congregating points for locals who hang out here at sunset.

    reviewed

  7. Bayankhangai Restaurant

    Between the market and Kharaa Hotel, Bayankhangai serves some tasty dishes including moogtei khuurag (mushroom and meat) and sharsan takhia (fried chicken).

    reviewed

  8. Khutagt Ekh Datsan

    If you have time drop by the Khutagt Ekh Datsan, a temple near the town square. Unusual for a Mongolian monastery, its head lama is a woman.

    reviewed

  9. Asian Kitchen

    Fast-food place reminiscent of Ulaanbaatar's Berlin restaurant. It's run by a Malaysian and serves up good, non-Mongolian curries.

    reviewed

  10. F

    Queens Night Club

    Locals bust out their moves at the Queens Night Club in the centre of the new town.

    reviewed

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  12. G

    Nomin Supermarket

    If you are self-catering, the best place to shop is the Nomin Supermarket.

    reviewed