Mongolia: Mongolian Meditation Center

Mongolian meditation center is a beautiful Buddhist meditation park set in a stunning boulder-covered hilly forest about 2 hours north of Ulaanbaator. A trail climbs up past several temples and into the boulder wonderland where every rock is carved into something – mystical creatures, faces, goddesses, and multiple penises. There are over 40 “sites” to visit along the trail, some bizarre, some beautiful, and many offering panoramic views over the valley below. In my mind, “meditation” was sitting in one place and contemplating the meaning of life (or lack thereof) – here you do it while strenuously climbing up and down, huffing and puffing. This center is a relatively new development for Mongolia as the country re-embraces Buddhism again.