Trans-Siberian 03: Ulaanbaatar – Gorkhi Terelj National Park

"The strength of a wall is neither greater nor less than the courage of the men who defend it..." - Genghis Khan

(Horse riding at Gorkhi Terelj National Park)

Day 03 - Saturday, 4 May 2024
Route: Ulaanbaatar – Gorkhi Terelj National Park
Hotel: Platinum Hotel Ulaanbaatar

Buffet breakfast was at 0800 hrs at the hotel Restaurant. Today we visited Chinggis Khaan Complex, Ghorki Terelj National Park and a Kazakhstan Village.

  

(Good Morning! A bright sunny weather)

(A hearty breakfast before a full-day trip)

On the way to Chinggis Khaan Complex, we stopped at Sansàr Supermarket for mineral water and fruits. The place was popular with the locals to stock up before heading for the outdoors during the weekends.

(Sansar Supermarket, a popular stop for the locals)

(Buying bread and fruits for the road)

This was our second time visiting the Chinggis Khaan Complex. The surrounding was not as green as when we were here in Autumn 2019. Located 54 km away from Ulaanbaatar city, The Genghis Khan Equestrian Statue is considered the world's largest equestrian statue and the largest horse-riding statue in the world. It was built here, because this was the spot where Chinggis Khaan found a golden whip.

(Genghis Khan Complex with a 40 meter tall statue)

(A large stainless steel equestrian statue of Genghis Khan)

(A monument for a Mongolian warrior and famous conqueror)

The complex includes an impressive underground museum, with Hunnu artefacts and items from the Mongol empire, a cafe, and a souvenir shop.

(Warcraft creatures, monsters or warriors? Yakjuj and Makjuj?)

(A giant traditional Mongolian boot)

(A visit to the underground museum)

(Learning the history of Mongolian Empire)

(An animated poster in the museum)

(The displays of Mongolia historical timelines)

We had a complete tour of the Museum and had the opportunity to climb up to the horse's head of Chinggis Khan statue. The height of the Chinggis Khaan statue is 3-story tall. There is an elevator to the third floor but one has to climb a flight of stairs to get to the head of the horse.

(Climbing to the head of the horse)

(The imposing Genghis Khan statue up close)

Later we had lunch at a restaurant in Gorkhi Terelj National Park located opposite the huge Turtle Rock. Everyone was either famished or the nasi goreng with sunny-side up egg was extra tasty because all finished their meals.

(A simple tasty nasi goreng lunch)

Gorkhi Terelj National Park is located 65 km from Ulaanbaatar. High granite stone mountains with forest-covered northern slopes, multitudes of wildflower meadows along with the spectacular shape rocks formed by wind is a favourite scenery for the visitors. Fast-flowing rivers and streams make the national park more beautiful. We had photo opportunities at the Turtle Rock before we went for an afternoon tea and snacks in a typical Mongolian ger.

(The huge Turtle Rock)

(A visit to a typical Mongolian ger)

(Having afternoon tea and local biscuits in the ger)

Everyone had a photo session with a hunting eagle of Mongolia. The Golden Eagles are born for hunting; they have incredible speed, great eyesight, and powerful feet with sharp talons. The Eagles are hooded by a specially made hood to keep them calm. It is removed when scanning areas of the steppes for preys. Later some of us enjoyed a thirty minutes horse ride on the undulating plains of the Gorkhi Terelj National Park.

(The Golden eagle is docile when hooded)

(Playing with the golden eagle)

(Horse riding on the undulating plain)

We thronged the traffic jam again on the way back to our hotel in Ulaanbaatar. We had Tom Yam Maggi Mee and sambal kacang bilis for dinner in the room.

Tonight was our last night in Mongolia. The weather outside was 0°c.

👈👈Day 02: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia✈️

Day 04: Ulaanbaatar to Irkutsk, Russia🚂👉👉