Erdenet
Not been yet
At a glance
- Country
- Mongolia
- Region
- Orkhon Province
- Population
- around 100,000
- Best time to go
- June to September
- Main airport
- None — nearest is Chinggis Khaan International (UBN)
- Coordinates
- 49.03°N, 104.08°E
Visited Still to go Click a pin or country to read more. Zoom with + and −, a double-click or a pinch.
Overview
Erdenet was built in the 1970s around one of Asia's largest copper mines, and it still feels like a planned Soviet-era town: wide streets, apartment blocks and a mine that dominates the local economy.
It is not a sightseeing city, but it is one of Mongolia's more comfortable towns and a useful stop in the north. The surrounding country is greener than the south, with forested hills, river valleys and one of the finest monasteries in the country within a day's reach.
Things to see
-
Photo: Brücke-Osteuropa, Public domain Erdenet copper mine
A vast open-pit mine on the edge of town; viewpoints give a sense of its terraced scale.
-
Photo: Brücke-Osteuropa, Public domain Hills above town
Short walks up the grassy slopes on the edge of town give broad views over the city, the mine and the valleys.
-
Photo: Bogomolov.PL, Public domain Amarbayasgalant Monastery
A beautifully preserved 18th-century monastery in a remote valley, one of the few to survive the purges of the 1930s.
Things to do
-
Day trip to Amarbayasgalant
Combine the monastery with a night in a nearby ger camp; the last stretch is on rough roads, so go with a driver.
-
Photo: Arabsalam, CC BY-SA 4.0 Explore the countryside
Arrange a jeep and driver to visit herding families, river valleys and pine-covered hills around Orkhon and Bulgan.
-
Ride the train
An overnight train links Erdenet with Ulaanbaatar, a slow but atmospheric way to cross the steppe.
Where to stay
Town centre
Near the main square, with the best choice of hotels, restaurants and shops.
Hotels in Town centreGer camps outside town
For a taste of rural life, stay in a camp in the hills and visit Erdenet by day.
Hotels in Ger camps outside town
Getting around
The centre is compact enough to walk, and taxis are easy to find. For trips out of town, hire a car with a driver.
Erdenet is about six hours' drive from Ulaanbaatar on a paved road; there are also buses and an overnight train.
When to go
June to September brings mild weather and green hills. Winters are long and very cold, and rural roads can be difficult.
Plan your trip to Erdenet
Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.