Bronze equestrian statue of Sükhbaatar raising his arm on a granite plinth against a bright blue sky

City · Central Ulaanbaatar

Sükhbaatar Square & Chinggis Khaan National Museum

Ulaanbaatar's ceremonial heart, the Government Palace and the nine-storey national museum nearby

Ambient sound · similar settingMurmuring crowd on a historic city square

Photo: BaljkanN4 (@baljkann4) / Unsplash

Discover Sükhbaatar Square & Chinggis Khaan National Museum

Every visit to Ulaanbaatar passes through Sükhbaatar Square. The wide plaza is the stage for state ceremonies, concerts and celebrations, and a favourite spot for families and wedding parties to take photographs. At its centre the bronze figure of Damdin Sükhbaatar rides a rearing horse, while along the north side the colonnaded Government Palace shelters a monumental seated Chinggis Khaan.

A short walk to the north-west, the Chinggis Khaan National Museum tells the story of the peoples of the steppe across nine storeys. Together the square and museum make the best introduction to Mongolian history before heading out to the countryside.

Don’t miss

01Equestrian statue of Damdin Sükhbaatar at the centre of the square
02Government Palace with its 2006 monument to Chinggis, Ögedei and Kublai Khan
03Chinggis Khaan National Museum, nine storeys and more than 10,000 artefacts
04Surrounding landmarks including the State Opera and Ballet Theatre and the Central Cultural Palace
05Open-air ceremonies and events held on the square through the year

History & culture

The story of Sükhbaatar Square & Chinggis Khaan National Museum

The square was named in 1923 after Damdin Sükhbaatar, a hero of the 1921 revolution, and his equestrian statue by the sculptor Sonomyn Choimbol has stood at its centre since 1946. The Government Palace on the north side was built in 1951, and in 2006 a monument was completed in front of it with statues of Chinggis Khaan flanked by Ögedei and Kublai Khan. The square was renamed Chinggis Square in 2013, and its original name was restored in 2016.

The square was a site of socialist-era parades and, in 1990, the focus of the peaceful protests of the Democratic Revolution. The Chinggis Khaan National Museum, built on the site of the former Natural History Museum, opened in October 2022 and exhibits more than 10,000 artefacts.

Local life & traditions

The square is where Ulaanbaatar celebrates. State ceremonies, concerts and exhibitions are held here, visiting leaders pay their respects at the statues, and on weekends couples in wedding dress and families in deel robes pose for photos against the Government Palace. Be respectful during official ceremonies, which can close parts of the square.

Things to do

Experience it like a local

Walk the square in the morning or late afternoon light, stopping at the Sükhbaatar statue and the steps of the Government Palace to see the monument to the khans. Then spend two to three hours in the Chinggis Khaan National Museum, whose galleries follow the history of the region from early nomadic cultures through the Mongol Empire; guided tours in English can be booked by phone in advance.

In the evening the surrounding streets offer restaurants and cafés, and performances at the nearby State Opera and Ballet Theatre or cultural shows of throat singing and dance are a good way to end the day.

When to go

May to September is the most pleasant time to explore on foot, with long daylight hours and events in the city; July is busy with Naadam visitors. Winter is extremely cold, though the museum makes an excellent indoor visit at any time of year. Note the museum's shorter winter hours and Tuesday closing.

Plan your visit

Verified information

Museum opening hours (as published, Oct 2026): Summer (15 May to 14 September) 09:00-20:00, last entry 19:00; winter (15 September to 14 May) 09:00-17:00, last entry 16:00 Source: chinggismuseum.com ↗
Museum closed: Every Tuesday Source: chinggismuseum.com ↗
Museum address: J. Sambuu Street, Chingeltei District, Ulaanbaatar Source: chinggismuseum.com ↗
Guided tours: 60-minute tours in Mongolian or English; reservations by phone, one day ahead for groups of more than 20 Source: chinggismuseum.com ↗

Checked against the sources on 27 October 2026. Opening times and fees can change — confirm before you go.

Travel tips

Visit the square early or late in the day for softer light on the Government Palace.
Allow at least two hours for the museum, and avoid Tuesdays, when it is closed.
A separate photo permit is charged in the museum; check at the ticket desk before taking pictures.
Traffic around the square is heavy; use pedestrian crossings and underpasses.
Parts of the square may be closed for state ceremonies, especially around national holidays.

General guidance from our specialists, not official information.

Around Sükhbaatar Square & Chinggis Khaan National Museum: food, markets & places to stay

The square is surrounded by central Ulaanbaatar's main landmarks, including the Central Cultural Palace and the State Opera and Ballet Theatre to the east, the Central Post Office and Mongolian Stock Exchange to the west, and the Galleria Ulaanbaatar mall to the north-east. Many of the city's hotels, restaurants and cafés are within walking distance, and Gandan Monastery is about 1.5 km to the west.