Brussels, 21/09/2001
Ulaanbataar is situated on the banks of the river Tuul and is surrounded by the beautiful foothills of the Khangai mountain range. The city lies at an altitude of 1,350 m above sea level. Ulaanbataar was founded in 1639 and at present it is the political, economic and cultural center of the country.
Many still see Ulaanbataar as an isolated nomad town, full of ‘Ghers’, the traditional nomad dwelling. But this is not the case. The capital of Mongolia is a modern urban city with an important presence of the carpet and cashmere industry, and lots of historical sites, shrines and temples. The Green Area around the city has plenty of marvelous natural sites like Gurvan Bayan, Gorkhiin Khad rocks, Khar Usan Tokhoi, the Gunjiin Sum Temple, petroglyphic images and rock paintings in the Bogd Khan Mountains.
The city boasts an increasingly lively nightlife as well, with restaurants, pubs and nightclubs. Today more than fifty different sports are being developed in the capital, from wrestling to ice hockey. The first stadium was built in 1931, the first skating rink in 1937. The most recently built sports venue is the ‘Wrestling Palace’ with 2,500 seats in 1999. The capital counts over 2,000 sports clubs.
The Chess WUC will be staged in the ‘Mongolian Information Center’ and the Bayangol Hotel will accommodate the participants and officials.
