Erdene Zu Monastery: The Oldest Buddhist Site in Mongolia

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Summary: A moderately impressive monastery in the old capital city of Mongolia. 

The ancient capital of Karakorum. That’s what truly makes the walled compound of Erdene Zu Monastery so special. Karakorum was the largest city in the world in the 1200s and strategically located on the Silk Road. It was the creation of Genghis Khan. And the Erdene Zu monastery was at the center of local life. It’s listed as a UNESCO Heritage site, a “top 500 places in the world to visit” by Lonely Planet, and touted as a top tourist attraction in the country. But as far as monasteries go, I felt this was more a museum than an idyllic preserved religious palace. Therefore… did not make my own list of the most interesting places to visit in Mongolia. 

Regardless of my personal opinions, thanks to its relatively central location and historical significance, it’s likely to land on every traveler’s list of “things to do in Mongolia”. Hear what you need to know to get the most out of your visit to Erdene Zu Monastery. 

My personal favorite monastery in the country was Amarbayasgalant Monastery. You can read my full guide on it here.

A Complete Guide to Erdene Zu Monastery

Best time of Year to Visit Erdene Zu Monastery

The best time of year to visit is the same throughout Mongolia. 

Peak season = May-September. 

What to Expect During Your Visit 

 Erdene Zu Monastery sits right on the edge of civilization. As the modern city of Kharkhorin has expanded it bumped up against this preserved ancient walled monastery that was once the core of the ancient city of Karakorum. This means that the monastery is likely no more than a stone’s throw away from your lodging in the city today.

This town makes for an excellent stopover due to its numerous lodging options and restaurants. 

It will probably take you no more than an hour or two to fully explore the monastery and take a quick guided tour (mandatory) of the inner temples. There are plenty of places to eat traditional Mongolian food just outside in a large open-air courtyard set up for tourists and temple visitors. 

Best Time of Day to Visit Erdene Zu Monastery

Between the hours of 9 AM and 5 PM. This is when you can opt for a guided tour of the inside of the monastery. Without this additional little tour, you’ll simply be left to wander the ruins strewn about a walled grassy field. 

You should also visit near mealtime (whatever that means to you) so you can take advantage of the stalls selling food outside. 

Road Conditions Getting to Erdene Zu Monastery

As this is one of the main attractions in Mongolia, you’ll be pleased to know the roads are good. About as good as it gets in Mongolia that is. From UB it’s paved the entire way. 

If you’re road-tripping through Mongolia independently, you might be taking a different route to the monastery, however. Be sure to look at my full route planning guide in Mongolia before you go. 

Rent Your 4×4 Car With AVIS.

Mongolia has expanded the car rental horizons over the last five years. As tourism to the country grows, so does your car rental options. Previously, road-trippers chose between a Prius and an expensive, bulky 4×4 from the early 2000s. While both options will get you around the country (trust me, you’ll see a local in a Prius everywhere), they might not be your ideal overland travel rig. AVIS Mongolia has expanded its fleet of rentals to include the Toyota Landcruiser 79 and 76 models AND for lovers of automatic vehicles, the Toyota Prado or the Toyota Landcruiser 250. These reliable and high-end vehicles are new to the Mongolian taiga and fit groups of up to 5 travelers (which brings down the costs tremendously). If there’s one thing you should not skimp on in Mongolia, it’s your vehicle rental and camping gear. Trust me.

For travelers in a smaller group or working on a tighter budget, MyCar.Rent offers older vehicles for as low as $100 per day! This is a steal in Mongolia. While they might not be outfitted with the same gear and might not be *as* ready for off-road adventure as the Landcruiser series with AVIS, they will get you where you need to go if you’re planning on sticking to the main routes.

If you’re interested in self-driving but nervous about all the route planning and/or getting lost, I recommend you join an AVIS Self Drive “Tour”. Here, there’s no guide or ride-along companion, but instead, you’ll receive a pre-programmed GPS unit with your rental to guide you on your quest. AVIS will also handle all the booking of gers, homestays, and activities for you, so it’s truly no hassle!

Where to Stay Near Erdene Zu Monastery

There are tons of ger camps near Erdene Zu. There are also hotels. Both are, generally speaking, super overpriced. Several luxury ger camps in the area charge more than $150 USD per night for a two-person ger. 

For those like me who just want a traditional ger camp with normal amenities and prices…

An option closer to the monastery would be the Family Homestay for 200k Tugrik for 4 people. 

We made no reservations in advance and were traveling in peak season with no problems. 

Camping situation near Erdene Zu Monastery

Since this area is a Mongolian city the camping would definitely be *less* idyllic than other places. That being said the city is surrounded by a large grassy expanse of land and you could easily (and semi-comfortably) pitch a tent here rather than pay the inflated homestay prices. Wild Camping in Mongolia is always allowed and (usually) free. 

Quick Things to Know Before You Go 

1. Erdene Zu Monastery is free to visit and open 24/7. 
2. BUT to go inside the most impressive temples you must visit during the hours of 9 AM – 5 PM and pay a small fee for a guide. 
3. It is UNESCO-protected and the most popular tourist attraction in Mongolia. 
4. The shops outside are good for food but not great for souvenirs. Please don’t take photos with any large eagles or birds that they have captive for photo ops at these shops. While some Mongolian hunters do use these birds, these ones are kept solely for tourist entertainment. 
5. If you have to go out of your way for one monastery in the country I recommend it be Amarbayasgalant Monastery rather than this one. 
6. Drones are allowed. 

Erdene Zu Monastery is one of a handful of true “tourist attractions” in Mongolia. And it’s a good one. If you follow all the tips above you’ll ensure your experience will be a pleasant one. But for those looking to trim their Mongolian itinerary to only the best attractions, my vote is to skip this monastery if you can and visit more of the wild places in Mongolia instead.  

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