Aglag Buteel Monastery

Aglag Buteel is unusual among Mongolian monasteries in being entirely new: it was built from 2005 by the monk and artist Purevbat, who designed and carved much of it himself, on a wooded hillside in Tov province. The approach is a path winding up through the trees past sculptures, carved rock faces, symbolic gateways and small shrines, each with a meaning explained on signs, leading to the temple at the top which holds Purevbat's Buddhist art. Rocks along the path have been carved into faces and creatures, and there is a cave and a set of features tied to legend and practice, so the whole hill is designed as a walk with a sequence rather than a single building. It is a popular half-day trip from Ulaanbaatar, particularly for Mongolian families and pilgrims.

What you actually see

• The sculpture path - carved figures and shrines up through the forest.
• The hilltop temple - the main building with the artist's Buddhist work.
• Carved rock faces - images worked into natural boulders.
• Forest and views - the wooded hill and the country around it.

When to go

May to October for the path; winter snow makes the climb slippery though it stays open. Weekends bring crowds from the capital. Mornings are quieter. The walk up takes about half an hour.

Honest expectations

Everything here is modern, built since 2005, which surprises visitors expecting an old monastery. The path is steep in places. Photography rules apply inside the temple. Facilities are limited to a car park and small shop, and the entry fee is high by local standards.

Nearby

Ulaanbaatar is southeast; Amarbayasgalant lies far to the north.