Zaisan Memorial

Climb the stairs to the top of the memorial and admire the 33-foot-tall (10-meter-tall) statue of a Russian soldier holding a flag. Scenes from the circular mural include the Soviets supporting Mongolia’s declaration of independence in 1921 and the Soviet Soyuz 39 flight, which carried the first Mongolian into space. Don’t miss the stunning views over the city from the top. At the base of the hill is a Soviet tank and a map depicting the tank’s travels.

A number of sightseeing tours include a stop at the Zaisan Memorial along with other Ulaanbaatar attractions, such as Gandan Monastery, the National Museum of Mongolia, Chinggis Khaan Monument, and Sukhbaatar Square.

• It’s free to enter the Zaisan Memorial.

• There are 612 steps to the top of the memorial from the bottom of the hill, 300 steps if you drive to the top parking lot.

• Don’t forget your camera to capture panoramic views of Ulaanbaatar.

• Most tours include hotel pickup and drop-off.

The Zaisan Memorial is located in the southern part of Ulaanbaatar. For those not visiting as part of a tour, take a taxi or bus 7 to the base of the hill.

The Zaisan Memorial is open 24 hours a day and can be visited at any time. Visit on a clear day for the best views over the city. During the winter, the steps can be icy and slippery, so use caution when going up and down the steps then.

Buddha Park is located at the base of the Zaisan Memorial, and it’s worth seeing both on the same visit. The main highlight is the 75-foot-tall (23-meter-tall) statue of Buddha. Below the statue is a small room that contains sutras and images of Buddha and his disciples.