The first centre of Lamaism in Mongolia, Erdene Zuu Monastery ('Hundred Treasures'), was started in 1586 by Abtai Khan. It was vandalised by invading Manchurians in 1760 and 1808, and subsequentially destroyed by the Stalinist purges of the 1930's. However, a surprisingly large number of statues, tsam masks and thankas were saved from the monastery, which were buried in nearby mountains.

This photo is of an entrance to one of the many temples within the compound.

©Erwin Bakx 1997