One of the most important attractions of Ulaanbaatar is the Ganden Monastery, also known as The Gandantegchinlen Khiid Monastery. It was founded in the year 1835 by the 5th Jebsundamba and developed as the principal centre of Buddhist learning in Mongolia.

In the 1930s, the Communist government of Mongolia ordered the destruction of around 700 Buddhist monasteries, however, the Gandan Monastery was spared. In 1938, it was closed down only to be reopened in 1944. When the Communist goverenment lost power in 1990s, Gandan Monastery was thrown open for public worship. Today, the monastery houses around 150 monks and has 26 meter high 20 ton gilded statue of Migjid Janraisig (Avalokitesvara), decorated with jewels as its prime highlight.