The second
Jebtsundamba Khutuktu established a
tsanid (Buddhist education center) for the monks of Khüree (modern
Ulaanbaatar) in the early 18th century.
Datsan (colleges) were built at Dashchoinpel (in 1736), Gungaachoilin (in 1809), and Idgaachoinzinlin (in 1912). At Gungaachoilin, on a hill west of Khüree, Shar Temple was built in 1809, followed by the Lamrin
dugan (assembly hall) in 1824. After he ordered the Khüree clergy to move west, further from encroaching Chinese buildings, the fifth Jebtsundamba Khutuktu built a palace, named Gandantegchinlen, just south of Shar Temple between 1834 and 1838; the monastery itself also took this name. Other buildings were added, including the Tsogchin
dugan in 1839 and Ochirdari (
Vajradhara) Temple in 1840, which has a silver and gold statue created in 1683 by
Zanabazar. Jüd (
Tantra) Temple, founded in 1739 by the second Jebtsundamba Khutuktu, is now housed in a
yurt. The fifth, seventh, and eighth Jebtsundamba Khutuktus were interred at Gandan, though in 1855 they and their monks moved back to their original palace near the current city center. To celebrate independence from
Qing China in 1911, the eighth Jebtsundamba Khutuktu ordered the construction of Megzed Janraiseg (Eye-Opening
Avalokiteśvara) Temple, completed in 1913 as Mongolia's tallest monastery building. It had a statue of the
boddhisatva Avalokiteśvara made of gilded bronze and precious stones. == Gallery ==