Ancient Mongolia

Then and now

The Museum of Ethnology, Osaka, Japan

Photo locations taken by Roy Chapmans Andrews and Oscar Mamen. Click on the icon to display the image and description.

Over the past century, Ulaanbaatar has undergone a dramatic metamorphosis from a small trading post to a modern metropolis. This photo exhibition offers a unique glimpse into this fascinating journey. Be transported back in time through early photographs and witness the evolution of Mongolia's capital, from its humble beginnings to the bustling city it is today.

Left: Ulaanbaatar, 1967. © Corona/USGS. Right: Ulaanbaatar, 2022. © Planet Labs.

Left: Sukhbaatar Square, Ulaanbaatar, 1967. © Corona/USGS. Right: Sukhbaatar Square, Ulaanbaatar, 2022. © MAXAR.

Left: Bogd Khaan Mountain, Ulaanbaatar, 1967. © Corona/USGS. Right: Bogd Khaan Mountain, Ulaanbaatar, 2022. © MAXAR.

Left: Gandan Monastery, Ulaanbaatar, 1967. © Corona/USGS. Right: Gandan Monastery, Ulaanbaatar, 2022. © MAXAR.

Left: Gandan Temple and its surroundings. Yvette Borup Andrews © American Museum of Natural History Library. Right: Hiroshi Yatsuo, 19 August 2022.

Left: Meat market. Yvette Borup Andrews © American Museum of Natural History Library. Right: Mitsuko Watanabe, 20 August 2022.

Left: Meat market, Russian house (current Zanabazar Museum of Fine Arts), and pharmacy. © Oscar Mammen, Date taken unknown, collection of the Museum of History. Right: Former pharmacy. Mitsuko Watanabe, 20 August 2022.

Left: State department store. © Collection of the National Archives of Mongolia. Right: Hiroshi Yatsuo, 20 August 2022.

Left: Gandan Temple and its surroundings. © Oscar Mammen, 5 October 1927, collection of the Museum of History. Right: Mitsuko Watanabe, 19 August 2022.

Left: View of Bogd Khan Mountain from Maimaicheng across the vegetable garden. © Oscar Mammen, February 1913, collection of the Museum of History. Right: Mitsuko Watanabe, 21 August 2022.

Left: © Oscar Mammen, March 1913, collection of the Museum of History. Right: Mitsuko Watanabe, 21 August 2022.

Left: View of Bogd Khan Mountain from Maimaicheng across a vegetable garden. © Oscar Mammen, June 1914, collection of the Museum of History. Right: Modern view of Bogd Khan Mountain from former Maimaicheng. Mitsuko Watanabe, 21 August 2022.

Left: Russian pharmacy near the meat market. © Oscar Mammen, November 1914, collection of the Museum of History. Right: Facade of former Russian pharmacy. Mitsuko Watanabe, 20 August 2022.

Left: Russian house and pharmacy near the meat market. © Oscar Mammen, November 1914, collection of the Museum of History. Right: Former Russian pharmacy (now Zanabazar Museum of Fine Arts). Mitsuko Watanabe, 20 August 2022

Left: Ulaanbaatar, 1967. © Corona/USGS. Right: Ulaanbaatar, 2022. © Planet Labs.

Left: Sukhbaatar Square, Ulaanbaatar, 1967. © Corona/USGS. Right: Sukhbaatar Square, Ulaanbaatar, 2022. © MAXAR.

Left: Bogd Khaan Mountain, Ulaanbaatar, 1967. © Corona/USGS. Right: Bogd Khaan Mountain, Ulaanbaatar, 2022. © MAXAR.

Left: Gandan Monastery, Ulaanbaatar, 1967. © Corona/USGS. Right: Gandan Monastery, Ulaanbaatar, 2022. © MAXAR.

Left: Gandan Temple and its surroundings. Yvette Borup Andrews © American Museum of Natural History Library. Right: Hiroshi Yatsuo, 19 August 2022.

Left: Meat market. Yvette Borup Andrews © American Museum of Natural History Library. Right: Mitsuko Watanabe, 20 August 2022.

Left: Meat market, Russian house (current Zanabazar Museum of Fine Arts), and pharmacy. © Oscar Mammen, Date taken unknown, collection of the Museum of History. Right: Former pharmacy. Mitsuko Watanabe, 20 August 2022.

Left: State department store. © Collection of the National Archives of Mongolia. Right: Hiroshi Yatsuo, 20 August 2022.

Left: Gandan Temple and its surroundings. © Oscar Mammen, 5 October 1927, collection of the Museum of History. Right: Mitsuko Watanabe, 19 August 2022.

Left: View of Bogd Khan Mountain from Maimaicheng across the vegetable garden. © Oscar Mammen, February 1913, collection of the Museum of History. Right: Mitsuko Watanabe, 21 August 2022.

Left: © Oscar Mammen, March 1913, collection of the Museum of History. Right: Mitsuko Watanabe, 21 August 2022.

Left: View of Bogd Khan Mountain from Maimaicheng across a vegetable garden. © Oscar Mammen, June 1914, collection of the Museum of History. Right: Modern view of Bogd Khan Mountain from former Maimaicheng. Mitsuko Watanabe, 21 August 2022.

Left: Russian pharmacy near the meat market. © Oscar Mammen, November 1914, collection of the Museum of History. Right: Facade of former Russian pharmacy. Mitsuko Watanabe, 20 August 2022.

Left: Russian house and pharmacy near the meat market. © Oscar Mammen, November 1914, collection of the Museum of History. Right: Former Russian pharmacy (now Zanabazar Museum of Fine Arts). Mitsuko Watanabe, 20 August 2022