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Chinggis Khaan Museum Recently Opens its Doors

The opening ceremony of the Chinggis Khaan Museum was held on October 11 in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia. The President U. Khürelsükh of  Mongolia attended the event accompanied by the national guard of honour. The decision to build the museum was made in July 2019 when the President U. Khürelsükh served as the Prime Minister. At that time, the Mongolian government decided to establish the museum to promote the meaning of Chinggis Khaan and the Mongol Empire to the world history. The Chinggis Khaan Museum with the size of 20,500 m2 was unveiled after 3 years and 3 months.

This 9 story building has a modern style and the exhibition halls are located on total of 6 floors from the 3rd to the 8th floor. Golden eagles are decorated at the rooftop and horse footprints are stamped on the front wall, representing a grand history of Mongolia.

From the Hun Empire to the Revival of Mongolia in the 20th Century

Mongolian people believe that the Hun empire is the first state they built. Hence, the museum displays the scenes of history from the days of the Hun empire to the 20th century when the state of Mongolia was revived. It is said that the museum holds 12,000 items and 92% of them are genuine artifacts.

The way the museum displayed its items helps us understand their perception on history and interest. The exhibition halls of the museum begin from ancient to modern history as it goes up.  Namely, they follow a chronological order. I would like to recommend visitors to enjoy the museum from the lower floors although it is the 8th floor, the ‘hall of pride of Mongolians’ that reveals the intention of the museum most vividly.

The 3rd floor is dedicated to the ‘hall of the ancient Mongolian state’  that exhibits the history and artifacts of the Hun empire  including the deer stone culture, timeline and relics, and various models related to the Hun empire. The chronical of family trees including Touman and statue of Modu are displayed. Talisman depicting the sun and moon of the Hun, parts and models of wagon, and sample of palace where the kin had lived, and large digital maps will catch the visitors’ eye. Seen from the deer stone culture, it makes us realize the importance of dolmen culture in Korea. I was able to sense how much Mongolian people are proud of the history of the Hun empire.

The ‘hall of ancient nomadic empire of Mongolia’ is located on the 4th floor. The history and relics of Turk, Uighur, and Kitan empires including large electronic maps, memorial temple of Bilge Qaghan, and sample heads and weapons of the Turk, sample of Khar Bukhiin Balgas and artifacts unearthed from the Kitan tombs are displayed.

The 5th and 6th floors are dedicated to the ‘hall of great Mongol empire’ and the ‘hall of Mongol empires and khans’, they are the essence of the museum. Large electronic maps show how the empire had expanded and the relics and culture of the Mongol empire are displayed as well. To be specific, stamped stones, hats and wardrobes of khans and aristocrats, horse saddles, epitaphs, cups, weapons, and model palace of Chinggis Khaan are displayed on the 5th floor and the Burkhan Khaldun is shown on the large screen as well. On the 6th floor, portraits of Khagan and empresses, jewels of Yuan dynasty, ceramics, pictures of festivals and model of Kublai Khan’s summer palace, bronze mirrors and coins, painting of autumn hunting of Yuan dynasty, etc. are displayed. These stores are enough to feel the affection and pride of Mongolian people with their Mongol empire.

The hall of ancestors of Chinggis Khaan and aristocrats are located on the 7th floor and visitors can find the history of Mongolia from the 15th to the early 20th century. Group portraits of emperors of Mongol Empire, three Khaans of the Khalkha Mongols, stamps of Mongol during the period of Qing dynasty, Nadam Festival, and painting of showing the march of Bogdkhan and large portraits of seven Bogdkhans are displayed.

The ‘hall of pride of Mongolian people’ is located on the 8th floor  and the defense technology of Mongolia, the rule of the Great Yuan by Kublai Khaan, Pax Mongolica, the model of Karakorum, the capital of the world, Mongolian alphabet, and the life and art of the First Bogd Öndör Gegeen Zanabazar are displayed. Also, the 23 World Heritage certificates, model of Ger, Mongolian traditional dwelling, and pictures of Otgontenger mountain depicted in the Mongolian banknotes are displayed.

The purpose of the Chinggis Khaan Museum

In fact, Mongolia is a democratic country adaptive to the trends of globalization. The Mongolian government established the Chinggis Khaan Museum to increase the national brand and makes it as a center for national unity amid changing international order. Of course, the government intended to commemorate the 860th year of the birth of Chinggis Khaan by establishing the museum. It appears that the focus is put on demonstrating the leadership of Mongolia.

There is a need to look on the international conference held for three days from August 6 to better understand the objectives of founding the Chinggis Khaan Museum. The international conference was held under the topic of ‘Chinggis Khaan’s World and Mongol Studies’ to commemorate the 860th anniversary of the birth of Chinggis Khaan. The conference was composed of 5 to 6 sessions and presentations were given by 155 Mongolian researchers. During the process an ‘international society to study Chinggis Khaan’ in charge by Kradin from Russia was formed.s

The Mongolian government intends to use Chinggis Khaan and the ‘peace of Mongolia’ as their cultural assets to increase their position on the global stage and engage in the international society more proactively.