Gandantegchinlen Monastery

What makes it special

Step through the door of the Migjid Janraisig temple and you are standing in front of the Avalokiteshvara. The temple's name, Migjid Janraisig, means the Eye-Opening Avalokiteshvara.

The statue you see was dedicated in 1996, modelled on an original that was broken apart in the 1930s.

The Ochirdari temple, dedicated to Vajradhara, holds a statue in silver and gold made by the sculptor Zanabazar. It is far older than either Avalokiteshvara statue, the one you see or the one it replaced.

Six temples and religious organisations share the grounds, built in Mongolian, Mongolian-Chinese and Tibetan-Chinese styles. As you cross from one to the next, the buildings do not all look alike.

Visiting

Start in the square in front of the entrance, which can be thick with pigeons. Walk on into the courtyard and take the kora, the clockwise path round the courtyard past four stupas.

Keep to the clockwise direction for the whole loop. Spin any prayer wheels you pass clockwise only, never the other way.

Then go into the Migjid Janraisig temple to stand before the statue. Before you leave the grounds, also look for the wish tree, the large Buddhist library and the religious schools.

Tips

Go round without a guide and you will learn little about what you are looking at. Read up on the temples, the kora and the prayer wheels before you go, or bring a guide who can explain the halls and the ceremony as you walk.