Bogd Khan Palace Museum Ulaanbaatar

Bogd Khan Palace Museum, is a museum complex located in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. It was part of larger complex called the "Green Palace", an imperial residence of the eighth Jebtsundamba Khutughtu, who was later proclaimed Bogd Khan, or ruler of Mongolia.This is the only remaining palace out of four residences where Bogd Khaan, the last Mongolian ruler, resided. The palace now displays the collection of personal belongings of the last king and his wife, as well as a wide variety of priceless religious and cultural artworks, Mongolian art ranging from statues of gods, tankas, and papier-mache many of which are produced by the first Bogd Khan's rule. This well-preserved museum and palace complex consist of traditional Mongolian temple-style structures along with a 19th-century manor-style housing complex replete with stuffed animals taxidermy from the Khan's collection of animals. Although they have survived the communist era, the animals from the Bogd Khan's private zoo currently seem a bit listless. The jewelled regalia worn by Bogd Khan's pet elephant, which he imported especially, is on display inside the palace.Other curios await the visitor, including a richly decorated ger lined with the skins of 150 snow leopards, complete with gilded ephemera illustrating the stark contrasts of how wealthy classes compared to everyday Mongolians lived during this period. Mongolia’s Declaration of Independence (from China in 1911) is among the exhibits.