MN
Ulaanbaatar
Nomad heritage and Soviet blocks in the world's coldest capital
Nomad heritage and Soviet blocks in the world's coldest capital
Mongolia’s most important working monastery survived the communist purges and today hums with chanting monks and spinning prayer wheels around a towering 26-metre gilded statue of Migjid Janraisig.
💡 Come early to hear the monks’ morning prayers.
The vast central square is flanked by government buildings and a giant seated statue of Chinggis Khaan, the ceremonial heart of the nation and its independence hero.
💡 It is also called Chinggis Square; great for people-watching.
An excellent introduction to the country, tracing nomadic life, the Mongol empire, traditional costumes and the road to democracy across well-curated galleries.
💡 Visit early in your trip for context before heading to the countryside.
On a hill south of the city, this Soviet-era memorial ringed by a mosaic mural rewards the climb with a panorama over Ulaanbaatar and the surrounding mountains.
💡 Sunset gives the best light over the sprawling city.
An hour east of the city, a 40-metre gleaming steel statue of Chinggis Khaan on horseback rises from the steppe; a lift inside leads to a viewpoint on the horse’s head.
💡 Combine it with Terelj National Park on a day trip.
Mongolian food is meat and dairy country: try buuz and khuushuur (steamed and fried dumplings), hearty mutton soups and tsuivan fried noodles. Ulaanbaatar’s dining has boomed, with modern Mongolian, Korean, Japanese and Western restaurants, good coffee and craft beer. Sample airag, fermented mare’s milk, and pick up cashmere while you are in town.
Start at Gandan Monastery, cross Sukhbaatar Square, tour the National Museum, then climb Zaisan for sunset over the city.
Head out to the giant Chinggis Khaan statue and Terelj National Park for Turtle Rock, a ger camp lunch and a taste of the countryside.
Ulaanbaatar’s traffic is notorious; allow extra time and use ride apps to get around.
The city is card-friendly, but carry togrog for markets, taxis and the countryside where cards fail.
June to September is warm and green; winters are extraordinarily cold and better for the hardy.
Stock up, arrange tours and permits here before venturing into Mongolia’s roadless interior.
Download Mongolian offline to read Cyrillic signs and menus.
Free
Nomad-capital Ulaanbaatar, the dunes of the Gobi, the empire ruins at Kharkhorin, the Blue Pearl of Lake Khovsgol and easy Terelj — Mongolia end to end.