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Ulaanbaatar

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At a glance

Country
Mongolia
Region
Ulaanbaatar
Population
1.6 million
Best time to go
June to August
Main airport
Chinggis Khaan International (UBN)
Coordinates
47.89°N, 106.91°E

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Overview

Almost half of Mongolia's people live in Ulaanbaatar, a sprawling capital of glass towers, Soviet blocks and districts of felt gers climbing the surrounding hills. Traffic is heavy and the winters are brutal, but the city has a raw energy.

Spend a couple of days on its monasteries and museums, then head out. Within an hour or two the buildings give way to open grassland, granite outcrops and nomad camps, and the country's real character begins.

Things to see

  • Gandan Monastery
    Photo: Chongkian, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Gandan Monastery

    Mongolia's most important Buddhist monastery, where monks chant in the morning beneath a towering golden statue of Avalokiteshvara.

  • Sükhbaatar Square
    Photo: Zazaa Mongolia, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Sükhbaatar Square

    The vast central square, overlooked by the parliament building and a huge seated statue of Chinggis Khaan.

  • Chinggis Khaan National Museum
    Photo: Chinneeb, CC BY 4.0

    Chinggis Khaan National Museum

    A large modern museum tracing Mongolian history from the steppe empires to the Mongol conquests and beyond.

    Tickets and tours
  • Choijin Lama Temple Museum
    Photo: Vicky van Dal, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Choijin Lama Temple Museum

    A small temple complex marooned among office blocks, full of vivid Buddhist masks and statues.

    Tickets and tours
  • Bogd Khan Palace Museum
    Photo: Bernard Gagnon, CC0

    Bogd Khan Palace Museum

    The winter palace of Mongolia's last king, with painted gates and a quirky collection of his belongings.

    Tickets and tours

Things to do

  • Gorkhi-Terelj National Park
    Photo: Chongkian, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Gorkhi-Terelj National Park

    Granite peaks, Turtle Rock and ger camps where you can ride horses, about two hours from the city.

  • Chinggis Khaan Equestrian Statue
    Photo: Vaiz Ha, CC BY 2.0

    Chinggis Khaan Equestrian Statue

    A giant stainless-steel horseman rising from the steppe east of the city; climb up to the horse's head for the view.

    Find tours
  • Watch a traditional performance
    Photo: Johanna Kovitz, Public domain

    Watch a traditional performance

    Evening shows in the city feature throat singing, horse-head fiddle music, contortionists and masked tsam dances.

    Find tours
  • Hustai National Park
    Photo: Eddy23, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Hustai National Park

    See the reintroduced takhi, the world's last truly wild horse, on the grasslands west of the capital.

    Find tours

Where to stay

  • City centre

    Around Sükhbaatar Square and Peace Avenue; walkable to most sights, restaurants and bars.

    Hotels in City centre

  • Zaisan

    A greener, upmarket area at the foot of the hills to the south, with newer hotels and apartments.

    Hotels in Zaisan

  • Near the State Department Store

    Busy and central, with many guesthouses popular with backpackers and tour operators.

    Hotels in Near the State Department Store

Getting around

The centre is walkable, but traffic is notoriously slow. Buses cover the city, and taxis and ride-hailing apps are widely used.

The airport is about 50 km south of the city; allow an hour or more by taxi, airport bus or hotel transfer.

When to go

June to August is warm and green, and the Naadam festival of wrestling, horse racing and archery takes place in mid-July. Winters are the coldest of any capital, with long spells far below freezing.

Plan your trip to Ulaanbaatar

Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.

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