Tsetserleg is the capital of Arkhangai Aimag (province) in Mongolia. It lies on the northeastern slopes of the Khangai Mountains, 250 miles (400 km) southwest of Ulan Bator. It has a population of 16,553 (2000 census, with Erdenebulgan sum rural territories population was 18,519), 16,618 (2003 est.), 16,300 (2006 est.).
Tsetserleg is geographically located in the Bulgan sum in the south of the aimag. It is not to be confused with Tsetserleg sum in the north. In 1992 Tsetserleg was designated as Erdenebulgan sum, which has area of 536 km².
The town is located in a beautiful forested valley in the Khangay mountains; it has a population of around 20,000, and is generally considered to be the most pleasant of Mongolia's provicial capitals.
Tsetserleg is an ancient cultural and commercial centre. It was once the seat of a monastery, built by the First Khalkh Zaya Pandita, Luvsanperenlei (1642–1715) (who should not be confused with Zaya Pandita Namkhaijantsan (1599–1662)). This consisted of the main Guden Süm, the Right, or Summer Semchin Temple, and the Left, or Winter Semchin Temple, all built in the early 1680s. The sixth Zaya Pandita, Jambatseren, was killed by the Communists in 1932, and the main Guden temple was turned into a museum. There is a seventh Zaya Pandita, but he mostly lives in Ulan Bator, and visits only occasionally.
PLACE TO VISIT
Buyandelgeruulekh Monastery - the town's main monastery
Zayain Khüree Monastery - converted into a museum.
Aimag Museum
WHAT TO DO
Attend an opera performance at the town's theater.
Arrange to stay with a herder family in their Ger (Yurt). The Fairfield Cafe and Guest House can help with this.
HOW TO REACH
By Plane - Aero Mongolia operates several flights a week from Ulaanbaatar.
By bus - Buses for Tsetserleg leave from the Dragon bus station in Ulaanbaatar at 8AM on Mon, Wed, and Fri. The ride typically lasts at least 10 hours, and tickets must be purchased a day in advance. As of May 2008, bus tickets from Ulaanbaatar to Tsetserlet cost approximately 17,000 tegreg, around US$15.
There are also microbuses that run between Ulaanbaatar and Tsetserleg. These are often very cramped (four across a bench seat), as drivers want to fit as many people in as possible to maximize profit. If possible, it is not a bad idea to pay for an extra seat to be left empty.
