Sükhbaatar Square

Sükhbaatar Square is the central square of Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia. The square was named for Mongolian revolutionary hero Damdin Sükhbaatar after his death in 1923, and features a large statue of him on horseback in the middle.

To the north of the square stands the Government Palace, which has a grand colonnade with statues. In the center of this colonnade is a statue of Genghis Khan, with Ögedei Khan and Kublai Khan standing beside him. The statue of Genghis Khan is also flanked by statues of Bo'orchu and Muqali.

In 2013, the square’s name was changed to Chinggis Square in honor of Genghis Khan, but in 2016, the original name of Sükhbaatar Square was brought back.

History

Late 19th century and early 20th century

Yellow Palace

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, the area where the government palace and Sükhbaatar Square now stand was home to a big temple-monastery-palace called the Yellow Palace. It was where Mongolia's spiritual leader, the Jebtsundamba Khutughtu, lived. The open space south of the temple was used for Mongolian wrestling and Tsam dances, with nobles and clergy watching. Over time, this area became messy with trash.

Statue of D.Sükhbaatar

After the Mongolian People's Revolution of 1921, the temple was torn down. In 1923, the square was named after the hero Damdin Sükhbaatar. A statue of him on a horse was placed there in 1946 by sculptor Sonomyn Choimbol. The spot was chosen because Sükhbaatar's horse had urinated there during a rally in 1921, which was seen as a good sign.

In 1946, leader Khorloogiin Choibalsan paved the square and placed the statue.

National Theater

In 1926, a theater called the "Green Domed Theater" was built over the old temple ruins. It showed Mongolian plays and also held important meetings.

Mid 20th century onwards

Government Palace and Sükhbaatar's Mausoleum

After a fire destroyed the theater in 1949, the Government Palace was built in 1951. In 1954, a mausoleum for Damdin Sükhbaatar was built, modeled after Lenin's Mausoleum in Moscow. Leaders watched parades from the mausoleum each year.

The square was important for big events and protests. In 2008, sad events happened there during riots.

Renovations

After Mongolia changed its ways in the 1990s, the square changed too. In 2005, the mausoleum was removed and a monument to Genghis Khan was built instead. New tall buildings were also built around the square.

Name change controversy

In 2013, some people wanted to change the square’s name to honor Genghis Khan, but it was changed back in 2016.

Buildings

The Government Palace stands on the north side of the square. In front of it is a large monument with statues of important leaders from Mongolia's past: Genghis Khan, Ögedei Khan, and Kublai Khan.

On the west side of the square are many important buildings, including banks, the city administration, and the stock exchange. On the east side, you can find a cultural palace, a ballet and opera house, and a tall modern skyscraper called the Central Towers.

To the south of the square is an old club building next to a tall, sail-shaped tower called the Blue Sky Tower. The square also has several statues, including ones of important leaders like Jamsrangiin Sambuu and Sanjaasürengiin Zorig.

Today

Today, Sükhbaatar Square is where important events happen in Mongolia. It is used for big celebrations, like parades for special holidays such as Mongolian State Flag Day or the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers. The square also hosts cultural events, concerts, and exhibitions. When leaders from other countries visit Mongolia, they often stand in front of the statues of Sükhbaatar and Genghis Khan to show respect.