Cities
Capital city Ulaanbaatar
Like nearly one half of the Mongolian population, the capital city of Ulaanbaatar is herself a nomad. The city has changed locations more than twenty times over the past 350 years before taking root in her current location in a sweeping valley bounded by four sacred peaks, including Bogd Khan mountain to the south.
Along with her location, the capital has changed names over the years, having been called Urguu from 1639to 1706, Ih Huree from 1706 to 1911, Niislel Huree from 1911–1923, and finally Ulaanbaatar since 1924). But despite her many transformations, Mongolia’s capital has remained constant as the political, economic, and cultural center of the nation, and as a city rich in both character and contrast. Indeed there aren’t many world capitals in which you can ride a horse, visit a nomadic family, and enjoy fine dining and luxurious spa treatments all in the same day.
Ulaanbaatar today is a vibrant city of more than one million residents. The city reflects a close and sometimes amusing juxtaposition of nomadic traditions and modern society, perhaps best summarized by her skyline dotted with both gers (felt tents) and towering skyscrapers. The city’s contrast can also be found among those who call it home, from traditional-clothing-clad herders, to Armani-suit-wearing business men and women, to a growing number of ex-patriots hailing from nearly every corner of the globe. Only in Ulaanbaatar might you find a horse cart bouncing down the central avenue alongside a Mercedes Benz, or a market selling both livestock and designer clothing. In short, there is something for everyone, and always a site to behold in Ulaanbaatar.
If cities have a heart, and they certainly do, then the heart of Ulaanbaatar is Sukhbaatar Square. This sprawling plaza situated in front of the capital building, is the place where residents and visitors gather for celebrations, exhibitions, and concerts, or just for a leisurely stroll with friends. Running along the southern edge of the square is Enkh Taivny Orgon Choloo ( Peace Avenue), Ulaanbaatar’s main thoroughfare, which spans from East to West across the city. On Peace Avenue, you’ll find a myriad of shopping hotspots, selling everything from cashmere, to antiques and souvenirs, to high fashion couture. You’ll also find a surprising variety of restaurants, bars, and cafes, serving up Italian, French, Korean, Chinese, Turkish, American, and Mongolian cuisines, to name but a few.
Besides serving as the jumping off point for all travel throughout the country, Ulaanbaatar has much to offer visitors. The city’s eight museums are bursting at the seams with treasures such as 3,000 year old Hunnu artifacts, prehistoric dinosaur bones, and Chinggis Khaan-era armor and weapons. Dozens of cultural venues throughout the city present daily performances of dance, theatre, music, and contortionism. The city is also home to one of the world’s largest open air markets, Narantuul, with more than 2500 vendors selling everything under the sun.
Erdenet city
Orkhon aimag was established as Erdenet city in 1976, in the territory of Bulgan aimag. Nowadays Erdenet city is the capital of Orkhon aimag, one of the biggest mining industrial centers of the country. Erdenet City is elevated at 1,200m above the sea level forming its own micro-climate. Orkhon aimag was established in 1992 with 2 sums, Bayan-Undur and Jargalant. Since then Erdenet city became the capital of Orkhon aimag. In Erdenet city, Mongolia-Russia joint venture Erdenet Mining Corporation, Copper and Molybdenum Concentration Plant is located. And also many other factories like carpet factory, food and beverage factory and metal processing factory is located in Erdenet city. The city is connected to the capital city of Ulaanbaatar by paved road. Since the center of the aimag, Erdenet city, is located in the area of Bayan-Undur sum, this sum area can also be considered as the part of the city. Erdenet city is divided into 3 regions, apartment region, ger district region and factory region.
Erdenet Mining Corporation
Over 20 million tons of copper concentrate annually, mine blasting products and steel ball for crushers are produced here. Mongolia-Russia joint venture Erdenet Mining Corporation, Copper and Molybdenum Concentration Plant is one of the biggest of its kind in Asia with its mining and concentration outcome. In 1978 the "Erdenetiin Ovoo Deposit" plant was established in the area by the contract signed between Governments of two countries. This deposit is located at 340km northwest from the Ulaanbaatar, 180km west from the Darkhan City, 60km north from the center of the Bulgan aimag and 140km from the border of the Russian Federation. The plant is connected to the East Siberian Railway at Naushki Station and to the Chinese Railway at Erlian (Ereen) City. Erdenet Plant has established collaboration with the leading mining and metallurgy organizations of the world. Erdenet Plant is a Mongolia-Russia joint venture, the 51% of shares are owned by Mongolian Government and 49% of shares are owned by the Government of the Russian Federation. Currently, the Erdenet plant is processing 25 million tons of ore per year and producing over 530 thousand tons of copper concentrate and 3 thousand tons of molybdenum concentrates annually.
Darkhan city
One of the biggest industrial centers of Mongolia, the Darkhan City was established on October 17, 1961 relaying upon the Davkharyn Rail Road station and construction material mining site. Darkhan City changed its name into Darkhan-Uul aimag according to the State Great Khural’s 32nd proposal of 1994.
The city was established with the help from the Soviet Union, Bulgaria, Poland, Hungary, Czechoslovakia and Germany, which were the member countries of the Mutual Assistance Council. Many historically and culturally significant places exist in Darkhan. For example, Darkhan mountain, Buural mountain, Muul mointain, Noyon Khongor, Khatan mountain, the historic site where 300 Taichuud tribe was defeated by Mongols, ancient city remains at Orkhon river valley, Zochin rock, Bichigt rock and stone tombs belonging to the Khunnu period. Natural scenic places including a place called Kharuutstai, Zulzaga resort in Khongor sum and Dardai and Sharyn Tsagaan lakes exist in this aimag.
