Ikh Burkhant

Mongolia


At Ikh Burkhant, a huge image of the bodhisattva Janraisig (‘Avalokitesvara’ in Sanskrit) is carved into the hillside, her legs splayed and her face serenely facing the blue sky. The carving was commissioned in 1864 by local regent Bat Ochiriin Togtokhtooriin (or Tovan; van means ‘lord’) and was renovated in the mid-1990s. There are fearsome deities guarding the prayer wheels and eerie shattered stone faces scattered about.

At the base of the hill, the devout leave offerings of tea, cash and incense.

If you walk up to its head, you'll see a couple entwined in an eternal stone embrace. Ikh Burkhant is right on the roadside, about 32km northwest of Khalkhgol; there's a military checkpoint here.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Mongolia attractions

2. Unknown Heroes' Grave

10.08 MILES

Near the riverbank there's a modest memorial marking the unknown heroes' grave, where 80 nameless Mongolian men are seeing out eternity.

3. Yalaltiin Khoshuu

17.83 MILES

As Soviet propaganda goes, this victory monument, located just outside Khalkhgol, is a masterpiece of the genre. The sculpture features a stylised…

4. Victory Museum

18.23 MILES

The exterior of this museum, dedicated to the Battle of Khalkhiin Gol, reeks of age, pigeon poop and neglect, but the interior remains well tended and…