Stainless-steel equestrian statue of Chinggis Khaan on its round columned base under dramatic clouds

Landmark · Tsonjin Boldog, Töv Province

Chinggis Khaan Equestrian Statue

A 40-metre stainless-steel Chinggis Khaan on horseback at Tsonjin Boldog, east of Ulaanbaatar

Ambient sound · similar settingChinese bush warbler calling in Gorkhi-Terelj forest

Photo: Tolunay Karavar (@cevikatmaca) / Unsplash

Discover Chinggis Khaan Equestrian Statue

Driving east from Ulaanbaatar across the rolling steppe, a gleaming figure appears on the horizon long before you arrive. The statue of Chinggis Khaan at Tsonjin Boldog is 40 metres of stainless steel, the great khan seated on his horse with a golden whip in hand, gazing east across the grasslands.

The statue stands on a round visitor centre with exhibitions about early nomadic cultures and the Mongol Empire. Visitors can climb up through the horse's chest and neck to a platform on its head, where the steppe and the Tuul valley spread out on every side. It is one of the most popular day trips from the capital and pairs naturally with Gorkhi-Terelj National Park.

Don’t miss

01The 40-metre stainless-steel statue of Chinggis Khaan on horseback
02Viewing platform in the horse's head with panoramic views over the steppe
03Visitor centre with 36 columns representing the khans
04Museum exhibits on Bronze Age and Xiongnu cultures
05Display on the Mongol Empire of the 13th and 14th centuries

History & culture

The story of Chinggis Khaan Equestrian Statue

The statue was erected and opened in 2008 to mark the 800th anniversary of the founding of the Mongol Empire. It was designed by the sculptor D. Erdenebileg and the architect J. Enkhjargal, and stands about a mile from the Tuul River.

The site was chosen because of a legend that Chinggis Khaan found a golden whip here, an omen of good fortune. The statue faces east, towards his birthplace in Khentii Province. The 10-metre visitor centre beneath it has 36 columns, representing the khans of the Mongol line from Chinggis to Ligdan Khan.

Local life & traditions

Chinggis Khaan is revered in Mongolia as the founder of the nation, and the monument is a place of national pride. Mongolian families visit on holidays, and you may see visitors making offerings or posing in traditional dress. Treat the site with respect, and remember that many Mongolians see Chinggis Khaan as a unifying figure rather than simply a conqueror.

Things to do

Experience it like a local

Allow one to two hours. Start in the visitor centre to see the exhibitions on Bronze Age and Xiongnu cultures and the age of the great khans, then climb to the viewing platform on the horse's head for the view. Outside, walk around the base of the monument to appreciate its scale from different angles.

Most visitors combine the statue with Gorkhi-Terelj National Park in a single day trip from Ulaanbaatar, stopping here on the way out or back.

When to go

May to September brings the most comfortable weather and green steppe, with July and August the busiest months. The site is open-air and exposed to wind, so spring and autumn visits call for warm layers, and winter visits for full cold-weather clothing. Clear days give the best views from the platform.

Plan your visit

Travel tips

Combine the statue with Gorkhi-Terelj National Park in one day from Ulaanbaatar.
Go on a clear day for the best views from the platform in the horse's head.
Bring a windproof layer; the hilltop site is exposed.
Opening hours and ticket prices can change seasonally; confirm with your tour operator before travelling.
Arrange transport in advance, as the site is 54 km from the city and best reached by car or tour.

General guidance from our specialists, not official information.

Around Chinggis Khaan Equestrian Statue: food, markets & places to stay

The statue is 54 km east of Ulaanbaatar and is normally reached by private car or tour, often en route to Gorkhi-Terelj National Park. The complex has its own visitor facilities; otherwise food and accommodation are mainly found back in Ulaanbaatar or at the ger camps of Terelj.