Amarbayasgalant Monastery

Amarbayasgalant monastery, also known as the "Monastery of Tranquil Felicity," is one of Mongolia's three greatest Buddhist monastic institutions. The monastery complex is located in the Iven Valley, along the Selenge River, at the foot of Mount Büren-Khaan in the Selenge Province's Baruunbüren sum (district) in northern Mongolia. Erdenet, about 60 kilometers to the southwest, is the nearest town.

The monastery was established and sponsored by decree of the Yongzheng Emperor of Qing China to serve as Zanabazar's (1635–1723) ultimate resting place. According to legend, while looking for a suitable location for the monastery, the exploring group stumbled upon two young boys, Amur and Bayasqulangtu, playing on the steppe. They were inspired to erect the monastery on that precise place and call it Amur-Bayasqulangtu after the two youngsters. More than likely, the spot was chosen because it was near where the lama's moving Da Khuree (his mobile monastery and primary dwelling) was when he died. The structure was built between 1727 and 1736, and Zanabazar's remains were moved there in 1779.

The Amarbayasgalant monastery is devoted to Maitreya, Zanabazar's principal tutelary god. Unlike Erdene Zuu Monastery, which is a collection of temple halls of various styles, Amarbayasgalant has a high level of aesthetic consistency. The dominant style is Chinese, with Mongol and Tibetan elements. The monastery is similar to Yongzheng's own palace, the Yonghegong in Beijing (converted by his son the Qianlong Emperor into a Buddhist monastery).

Location: Selenge, Mongolia