The Equestrian Statue of Genghis Khan in Mongolia is Truly Impressive
The massive Genghis Khan statue in Mongolia is impressive to say the least, but it is also quite massive in size.
Go to the faraway Asian country of Mongolia and be confronted with a lot of things. The capital Ulaanbaatar is the coldest capital in the world, we will see the endless Asian steppe and the nomadic Mongols living as they have always done, the vast expanses (Mongolia is the least densely populated country in the world ), and a massive new equestrian park statue of Genghis Khan.
Mongolia is an exotic country to visit and full of surprises. One of the most adventurous things to do in this sparse country is to take a multi-day horseback expedition to some of Mongolia’s most remote regions.
About Genghis Khan and his massive empire
The most famous Mongol to ever live was Genghis Khan, he was the first Great Khan (or Emperor) of the Mongol Empire. He shook the world by defeating countless armies, raising cities, and establishing the largest contiguous empire the world had ever known (only the British Empire was larger).
- The biggest: The Mongol Empire was the largest contiguous empire
Genghis Khan lived from around 1158 to August 18, 1227. His birth name was Temüjin and had to flee from other Mongol tribes as a boy. But eventually he was able to defeat the other tribes, then unite them, then attack and invade ancient China and beyond.
- Birth name: Temujin
- Lived: From about 1158 to 1227
Mongol invasions would continue to penetrate as far as Poland and south into Egypt. For hundreds of years Russia was ruled by the Golden Horde – a breakaway Mongol empire.
In much of the world he conquered, he and the Mongols were feared. History describes much of the conquest as total destruction on an unprecedented scale that resulted in major demographic changes and drastic population declines.
- Fun fact: The Mongols are the inspiration for the Dothraki in Game of Thrones
If one visits the secluded country of Turkmenistan, one will find the ruins of the great city of Merv. At one time, it may have been the largest city in the world, but when the Mongols took it, it is reported that the city was completely destroyed, including the massive massive one million people .
How Genghis Khan is seen in Mongolia
Considering how the world remembers Genghis Khan, it might seem strange to build such a large monument in his honor. But the Mongols don’t see it the way much of the rest of the world does.
- National hero: For the Mongols, Genghis Khan is a national hero
They see him as a national hero who put their country on the map. As a military genius who defeated the most advanced armies and empires around the world. It was during this period and thanks to him that their tribes were known and respected in the world – instead of being insignificant to the world as they were before Genghis Khan.
He united them behind a common cause. Before them, we were united and at war among ourselves.
- To exchange: Under the Mongol Empire, trade flourished
Genghis Khan did more than conquer, he also brought learning and trade and opened up the world like never before. For the first time in history, one could travel (more or less safely) from Europe to China.
The equestrian statue of Genghis Khan
The impressive statue is part of a larger complex and stands 40 meters or 130 feet tall. It is constructed of stainless steel and depicts the Great Khan on horseback. Today it is the tallest equestrian statue in the world and stands approximately 54 kilometers or 33 miles east of the capital Ulaanbaatar.
- Height: 40 meters or 130 feet
- Built: In 2008
- Designed: By sculptor D. Erdenebileg and architect J. Enkhjargal
It is built on the spot where, according to a legend, Genghis Khan found a golden whip.
The statue is built on the Genghis Khan Statue Complex – a reception centre. The visitor center itself is full of symbolism with 36 columns representing the 36 khans from Genghis Khan to Ligdan Khan.
- Museum: There is also a museum in the complex
The adjoining museum delves into Mongolian history with exhibits from the Bronze Age and Xiongnu archaeological cultures of Mongolia. We will see various everyday objects of people from the past and we will get an idea of how they lived. Discover belt buckles, knives, everyday utensils, sacred animals, and more.
A second exhibition on the period of the Great Khans of the 13th and 14th centuries presents ancient tools, goldsmith subjects and some Christian objects brought to Mongolia such as crosses and Nestorian rosaries.
Visitors can walk up to the horse’s head through its chest and neck. From there, one can have a panoramic view of the surrounding steppe.
About the Author