© Tugsbileg Orgil (Jak)
© Mend
Ulaanbaatar
Ulaanbaatar is located in the heart of Asia and was founded in 1639. The city has witnessed many changes in urbanization and uncontrolled immigration during its history. Just in the last decade, the citizens of Ulaanbaatar have seen many historical buildings and sights disappear to make space for generic and characterless office and high-rise apartment buildings. It is important to understand that a city is not just an assortment of buildings but rather a living organism that thrives on the memories and lives of its citizens. This project aims to discover and explore the beauty of Ulaanbaatar through urban walking in the hopes that we can rekindle that unique connection between the city and both its citizens and visitors.
© Mend-Amaar Baigalmaa
© Tugsbileg Orgil (Jak)
Walking Tour
On 27 August 2023, over 20 people from various fields participated in a 3-hour walking tour starting at the Gandantegchinlen Monastery and ending in Sukhbaatar Square and guided by Ochbayar Gerel, a researcher at the Ulaanbaatar City Museum. During the tour, participants used Google Photos to access old historical photos and video footage of the various structures they were being presented and were thus able to compare the changes or sometimes lack thereof.
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© Byambajavkhlan Baigalmaa -
First, all the participants gathered in front of the Gandantegchinlen Monastery. © Tugsbileg Orgil (Jak) -
Participants walk down from Gandan Hill to around the Geser Temple intersections. © Tugsbileg Orgil (Jak) -
The guide, Ochbayar Gerel explains the history of the Trade/Tourist Street. © Tugsbileg Orgil (Jak) -
Participants stand next to the Tuul restaurant, the very first European-style restaurant at the Builders’ Square along the Trade/Tourist St. © Tugsbileg Orgil (Jak) -
Finally, walkers reach the final spot, Sukhbaatar Square, the central point of Ulaanbaatar. © Tugsbileg Orgil (Jak)
© Noise Art Media
Local Exhibition
Between 09 and 23 October 2023, we ran an exhibition at the Red Ger Art Gallery of the Arts Council of Mongolia using the historical photos from the walking tour to highlight the contrast between past and present Ulaanbaatar. There were 12 photos of the most interesting spots on the gallery wall and each photo had a QR code that linked to videos showing the present view of the relevant building or the area with a 360-degree-view.
Click the links below to watch the 360° videos:
1. Gandantegchinlen Monastery
2. Gandan Temple
3. Geser Sum Monastery
4. The First Supermarket /Now C1 Television
5. The Yellow Shop
6. The Cooperative Trade and Service Center (aka Urt Tsagaan)
7. Builders' Square
8. The Fine Arts Zanabazar Museum (former State Department Store)
9. The National Museum of Mongolia
10. The Natural History Museum (Now Chinggis Khaan National Museum)
11. The National University of Mongolia
12. Sukhbaatar Square
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1. Gandantegchinlen Monastery 1962 © Werner Forman -
2. Gandan Temple 1964 © Harrison Forman (University of Milwaukee-Wisconsin, American Geographical Society Library) -
3. Geser Sum Monastery Gandan Hill 1967 © Péter Inkei (Fortepan) -
4. The First Supermarket / Now C1 Television 1985 © Nyamtsogt Galsantseren -
5. The Yellow Shop 1964 © Harrison Forman (University of Milwaukee-Wisconsin, American Geographical Society Library) -
6. The Cooperative Trade and Service Center (aka Urt Tsagaan) 1964 © Harrison Forman (University of Milwaukee-Wisconsin, American Geographical Society Library) -
7. Builders' Square 1967 © Péter Inkei (Fortepan) -
8. The Fine Arts Zanabazar Museum (former State Department Store) 1930 © Unknown photographer, Monsound and Vision Foundation -
9. The National Museum of Mongolia 1984 © Nyamtsogt Galsantseren -
10. The Natural History Museum (Now Chinggis Khaan National Museum) 1989 © Eiro Tanaka -
11. The National University of Mongolia 1948 © Unknown photographer, Monsound and Vision Foundation -
12. Sukhbaatar Square 1984 © Nyamtsogt Galsantseren
© Tugsbileg Orgil (Jak)
Ulaanbaatar Documentary
After the walking tour, we wanted to present the route in more detail to all kinds of audiences, and we made a short documentary to introduce and share the history, features, and memories of Ulaanbaatar along the selected route. Six guests shared their memories of the buildings along the chosen route. The aim is to make the audience understand how these old streets and historic buildings should be preserved for future generations.
Credits
Credits