Hotels & resorts in Tsonjin Boldog

Tsonjin Boldog lies about 54 km east of Ulaanbaatar, in Erdene soum of Töv Province, in the valley of the Tuul River. It is home to one of Mongolia's most recognizable landmarks: a 40-metre-tall equestrian statue of Chinggis Khaan, recognized as the tallest equestrian statue in the world. Cast in gleaming stainless steel, it depicts the great khan mounted on his horse, holding a golden whip and gazing proudly toward his homeland in the east.

According to legend, this is the very spot where a young Chinggis Khaan found a golden whip — an omen of the power to come — which is why the monument was raised here. Opened in 2008 to mark the 800th anniversary of the founding of the Mongol Empire, it was created by sculptor D. Erdenebileg and architect J. Enkhjargal. The 10-metre visitor centre beneath the statue is ringed by 36 columns representing the 36 khans from Chinggis to Ligden.

Visitors can climb up inside the statue and step out onto a viewing platform at the horse's head for sweeping views across the steppe. The complex at the base houses a museum of Mongolian history and Empire-era artefacts, a giant traditional Mongolian boot, a souvenir shop and a restaurant. Its location pairs naturally with the scenery of nearby Gorkhi-Terelj and the Tuul River valley, so many travellers base themselves at a countryside ger camp or resort and see everything on a single trip.