Bogd Khan Winter Palace Museum

From the 17th century to the early 20th century, eight Bogd Jebtsundamba Khutagt were proclaimed as the leaders of Buddhism in Mongolia. The current Bogd Khaan Palace Museum was once home to the 8th Bogd Jebtsundamba Khutagt. He was born on the 8th day of the last month of autumn in 1869, near Lhasa, to Gonchigtseren, a close official of the Dalai Lama, and mother Oidovdulam. On December 20, 1871, the Dalai Lama and other lamas identified Gonchigtseren's son as the reincarnation of the Bogd Gegeen, the leader of the Yellow Hat (Gelug) sect of Buddhism in Khalkha Mongolia. Of the eight Bogd Jebtsundamba Khutuktus of Khalkha Mongolia, the 8th Bogd Jebtsundamba was unique in that he had a queen.

The 8th Bogd Jebtsundamba Khutagt was highly respected among the Mongols of Inner and Outer Mongolia. He persistently fought to overthrow the 220-year rule of the Manchu Qing Dynasty and to restore the independence of Mongolia. As a result, on December 29, 1911, he was proclaimed Bogd Khaan, the ruler of the Theocratic Mongolia, and his queen, Dondogdulam, was titled the Queen Consort. The capital city was named Niislel Khuree, and the Bogd's central palace, previously known as the Yellow Palace, was renamed the State Yellow Palace, where both state and religious activities were conducted.

In 1893, after the Bogd's palace in the Dechingalbyn compound was destroyed by fire, the 8th Bogd Jebtsundamba built the Green Palace along the northern bank of the Tuul River between 1893 and 1903. The Green Palace was expanded several times, with new structures added. For instance, in 1912-1919, the Amgalan Enkhiin Khaalg (Peaceful Gate) was built to commemorate the historic event of proclaiming the 8th Bogd Jebtsundamba as the ruler of the Bogd Khaanate Mongolia in 1911. The gate's design was created by Baajav, titled "Zorigt," along with Sanjid and Tejaan. In 1913, a garment store building adjacent to the Winter Palace and a winter house for the Bogd's brown elephant were constructed in the western part of the palace grounds. There was also reportedly a carriage garage. The 8th Bogd Jebtsundamba lived in this building with his queen, Dondogdulam, for about 20 years during the winters. He passed away at the age of 55 due to illness.

In 1926, the Winter Palace of the Bogd Khaan was converted into a State Museum, categorizing its exhibits into two main sections: natural history and historical artifacts. By the end of 1926, the renovation of the Bogd Khaan Palace Museum was completed, making it one of the first and richest museums in Mongolia. The museum complex includes about 20 structures, including the Naidan Temple, the Maharanz Temple, the Library Temple, the Winter Palace, the Peaceful Gate, and the Seruun Asar Pavilion. It houses more than 8,600 exhibits and attracts over 40,000 visitors annually.

In recent years, modern technology has been actively integrated into the museum's activities. In 2016, the museum joined Google's Cultural Institute project, becoming one of the 60 countries to showcase a digital exhibition. Additionally, the museum's indoor and outdoor virtual tours are available on Google Street View. An application for the "Bogd Khaan Palace Museum" has also been developed and made available on the App Store and Play Store.