Mongolia, Ulan Bator, Sukhbaatar square

Getty Images

Sükhbaatar Square

Top choice in Ulaanbaatar


In July 1921 in the centre of Ulaanbaatar, Damdin Sükhbaatar (the ‘hero of the revolution’) declared Mongolia’s final independence from China. A square later built on the spot now bears his name and features at its centre a bronze statue of the revolutionary astride his horse. In 2013 the city authorities changed the name of the plaza to Chinggis Khaan Sq, but in 2016 Sükhbaatar's descendants won a court battle to restore the original name.

Peaceful anti-communism protests were held here in 1990, eventually ushering in the era of democracy. Today, the square (talbai) is occasionally used for rallies, ceremonies, rock concerts and festivals, but is generally a relaxed place where kids drive toy cars and teens whiz around on bikes. Near the centre of the square, look for a large plaque that lists the former names of the city – Örgöö, Nomiin Khuree, Ikh Khuree and Niislel Khuree. The large warehouse on the square houses temporary exhibits. Poke your head inside to see what's on.

The enormous marble construction at the north end was completed in 2006 in time for the 800th anniversary of Chinggis Khaan’s coronation. At its centre is a seated bronze Chinggis Khaan statue. He is flanked by Ögedei (on the west) and Kublai (east). Two famed Mongol soldiers (Boruchu and Mukhlai) guard the entrance to the monument.

Behind the Chinggis monument stands Parliament House, which is commonly known as Government House. An inner courtyard of the building holds a large ceremonial ger used for hosting visiting dignitaries.

To the east of the square is the 1970s Soviet-style Cultural Palace, a useful landmark containing the Mongolian National Modern Art Gallery and several other cultural institutions. At the southeast corner of the square, the salmon-pinkish building is the State Opera & Ballet Theatre. Just south of the opera house is the symbol of the country's new wealth, Central Tower, which houses luxury shops including Louis Vuitton and Armani.

The light-coloured colonnaded building to the southwest is the Mongolian Stock Exchange, which was opened in 1992 in the former Children’s Cinema. Across from the Central Post Office is a statue of S Zorig, who, at the age of 27, helped to lead the protests that brought down communism in 1990 (he was tragically assassinated in 1998).


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Ulaanbaatar attractions

1. Damdin Sükhbaatar Statue

0.03 MILES

The square that bears Damdin Sükhbaatar's name features a statue of him astride his horse. The words he apparently spoke when declaring Mongolia's…

2. Chinggis Khaan Statue

0.09 MILES

The enormous marble construction at the north end of UB's main square was completed in 2006 in time for the 800th anniversary of Chinggis Khaan’s…

3. Mongolian Stock Exchange

0.1 MILES

The white colonnaded building to the southwest of Sükhbaatar Sq is the Mongolian Stock Exchange, which was opened in 1992 in the former Children's Cinema…

4. Central Tower

0.11 MILES

Very much symbolic of UB's rise in fortune is the swanky Central Tower, home to luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton and Armani. As well as retail and…

5. Cultural Palace

0.11 MILES

The tall, modern Palace of Culture is a useful landmark, containing the Mongolian National Modern Art Gallery and several other cultural institutions.

6. Mongolia Theatre Museum

0.11 MILES

The history of film and theatre in Mongolia is told through photographs and models at this small museum located on the 3rd floor of the Cultural Palace…

7. Blue Sky Tower

0.13 MILES

Rising from the ground like a giant shark fin is UB's most recognisable landmark, the Blue Sky Tower. This gleaming blue glass 105m-tall building houses a…

8. Mongolian Artists’ Exhibition Hall

0.13 MILES

If you want to see Mongolian art, and perhaps buy some, head into the Mongolian Artists’ Exhibition Hall, on the 2nd floor of the white-marble building…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "mongolia/ulaanbaatar/attractions/suekhbaatar-square/a/poi-sig/434858/357066",
      "destination": "Ulaanbaatar",
      "continent": "Asia",
      "country": "Mongolia",
      "city": "Ulaanbaatar",
      "position": "superzone"
    }