Monastery
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Ongi Monastery
Ongi Monastery (Ongiin Khiid) is a vast ruined monastic complex situated dramatically on opposite banks of the Ongi River in the Gobi Desert of Dundgovi Province. Founded in 1660 and once housing 28 temples and over 1,000 monks across its northern and southern precincts, the complex was completely destroyed by communist forces in 1939. Today, the expansive mud-brick ruins on the desert slopes evoke a solitary, haunted atmosphere, where travelers and night watchmen report disembodied chanting, shadowy apparitions among collapsed stupas, and strange optical lights along the dry riverbed.