Sukhbaatar Square and the Government Palace

Sukhbaatar Square is located at the center of Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia. The square is named after General D. Sukhbaatar. In 1921, it was called "Indriin Square." However, in 1923, following the death of D. Sukhbaatar, one of the leaders of the Mongolian People's Revolution, the square was renamed in his honor. In 1946, a statue of General Sukhbaatar on horseback was erected in the center of the square, designed by sculptor S. Choimbol. The statue is 4 meters high and, including its base, stands at a total height of 12 meters. It depicts General Sukhbaatar on horseback, standing on elevated ground, with his arm raised as if addressing the people. The statue is surrounded by 14 lion sculptures connected by 208 iron chains, symbolizing the idea that "Mongolia is inviolable."

On July 8, 1921, when the People's Army entered Khuree, the residents of Khuree greeted them with tea and traditional offerings in a celebratory manner. It is said that General Sukhbaatar's horse urinated on the current central square when he arrived with his soldiers. A soldier then marked the spot with a stake. During the 25th anniversary of the People's Revolution, Marshal K. Choibalsan instructed soldiers to find the marked spot, which was then used as the foundation for Sukhbaatar's statue.

View of Sukhbaatar Square in the Winter

What is around the Sukhbaatar Square?

Government Palace

To the north of the square is the Government Palace, built between 1946 and 1951. The palace houses over 10 meeting rooms, with the largest being the Great Hall, where major international and domestic conferences and meetings are held. Portraits of individuals who have served as Prime Minister of Mongolia since 1918 are displayed in the Government Palace.

State Ceremonial Complex

In front of the Government Palace, a ceremonial complex was built in 2006 to commemorate the 800th anniversary of the founding of the Great Mongol Empire. The complex includes seated statues of Chinggis Khan, Ogedei Khan, and Kublai Khan, along with statues of two mounted warriors. The base of the statue of Chinggis Khan features motifs from the Xiongnu era, symbolizing the empires that existed in Mongolian territory, and is carved from marble. The statues of Ogedei and Kublai Khan are depicted in the clothing and accessories of their time, with Ogedei shown as thoughtful yet confident and Kublai as a wise scholar. The statues of two of Chinggis Khan’s famous generals, Gua Maral Mukhlai, the commander of the left flank, and Bo'orchu, the commander of the right flank, are placed to the left and right of Chinggis Khan's statue, respectively. Additionally, the right side of the columned gallery features "Mongolian Ethnic States" and the left side features "The Great Mongol Empire" glass artworks.

Places of Interest & Attractions Surrounding the Square

• Northern Side: Behind the Government Palace is Museum Street, where you can find the Chinggis Khan Museum, Culture Museum, Zanabazar Museum, United Nations and UNICEF buildings, Embassy Street, Gobi Cashmere, and the National University of Mongolia.
• Eastern Side: Beyond the road are the Best Western Tuushin Hotel, Ulaanbaatar Hotel, Cultural Palace, State Opera and Ballet Theatre, Trade and Development Bank headquarters and Central Tower.
• Southern Side: There is a public garden, followed by a road, and beyond that are the Choijin Lama Temple Museum and the Blue Sky Tower.
• Western Side: Beyond the road are the Mongolian Trade Union Palace, Ulaanbaatar City Administration Building, Golomt Bank headquarters, Mongolian Stock Exchange, and the Central Post Office.