Mongolia: Khorkharyn – Erdene Zuu Monastery
Erdene Zuu is the oldest and most spectacular monastery in Mongolia build in the middle of 16th century when Mongolia adopted Tibetan Buddhism as religion. The site is surrounded by a huge wall with 108 white stupas (108 being a sacred number in Buddhism). Onsite are several temples and monastery buildings. It’s an atmospheric sprawling complex filled with monks, tourists, and religious praying Mongolians – an impressive sight and deservingly a UNESCO World Heritage listing in Mongolia. Interestingly, in 1939 the Mongolian communist leader Choibalsan ordered the monastery destroyed, but Stalin told him to keep this one as showpiece to the west.
