About Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Karakorum, in the Orkhon Valley, was the ancient capital of the Mongol Empire. After the breakdown of the Mongol Empire, in the 17th century, in honor of Zanabazar, famous Mongolian religious leader, painter, sculptor and politician, the new nomadic settlement was named Urga. This migrant city, a large caravan of gers, moving from place to place, finally settled in 1778 in its present location. It changed name several times and in 1924 was renamed Ulaanbaatar, literally "the Red Hero in honor of Sukhbaatar, the hero of the 1921 Revolution.