Top places to visit in Ulaanbaatar

• Sukhbaatar Square (Chinggis Square)

  landmark · 4.5 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  The vast central square of Ulaanbaatar, flanked by the Government Palace with its giant seated Chinggis Khaan statue, the Parliament, theatre and museums. The civic and ceremonial heart of the capital.

• Gandantegchinlen Monastery

  monastery · 4.6 rating · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate

  Mongolia's most important and largest functioning Buddhist monastery, founded in 1809. Home to the 26.5 m gilded Migjid Janraisig (Avalokiteshvara) statue and a community of resident monks. The spiritual heart of Mongolian Buddhism.

• Zaisan Memorial

  memorial · 4.5 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

  A Soviet-era memorial on a hilltop south of the city honouring Soviet and Mongolian soldiers, with a circular mural and the best panoramic viewpoint over Ulaanbaatar and the Tuul valley.

• Naran Tuul Market

  bazaar · 4.1 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Ulaanbaatar's sprawling open-air "Black Market" — the place to buy traditional deel, boots, saddles, cashmere and souvenirs. Lively and authentic; watch your belongings for pickpockets.

• National Museum of Mongolia

  history · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  The country's principal historical and ethnographic museum, with renowned displays of traditional Mongolian costumes, deel, Bronze Age artefacts, and the Mongol Empire era.

• Chinggis Khaan National Museum

  history · 4.6 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  Mongolia's flagship museum, opened in 2022, tracing the history of the Mongol state from prehistory through the empire of Chinggis Khaan to the modern era across eight floors of richly curated galleries.

• Bogd Khaan Winter Palace Museum

  heritage · 4.4 rating · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate

  The early-20th-century winter residence of Mongolia's last king, the Bogd Khaan. A complex of Chinese-style temple pavilions housing religious art, ceremonial robes and the king's eclectic collections.

• Choijin Lama Temple Museum

  museum · 4.4 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  A beautifully preserved early-1900s temple complex in the city centre, former residence of the state oracle (Choijin Lama). Now a museum of Buddhist art, masks and thangka.

• Zanabazar Museum of Fine Arts

  art · 4.4 rating · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate

  Mongolia's premier fine-arts museum, named for the 17th-century artist-monk Zanabazar. Houses his celebrated bronze Buddhist sculptures, thangka and the intricate "One Day in Mongolia" scroll painting.

• Bogd Khan Mountain (Tsetsee Gun)

  mountain · 4.6 rating · about 6 h · check the fee at the gate

  One of the world's oldest protected areas (designated 1778), this sacred forested massif south of the city offers day hikes to the 2,256 m Tsetsee Gun peak and rich wildlife.

Things to do

• Mongolian Folk Music & Dance Concert Cultural · 1.3 h · from MNT 1,304,000 per person
• Ulaanbaatar City Highlights Private Tour Cultural · 5 h · from MNT 80,000 per person
• Mongolian Cooking Class Cultural · 3 h · from MNT 90,000 per person

Day trips and tours

• Ulaanbaatar Full-Day City Tour 8 h · from MNT 90,000
• Ulaanbaatar to Terelj Day Trip 10 h · from MNT 150,000

Where to stay in Ulaanbaatar

• Sukhbaatar Square & City Centre about MNT 300,000 per night

  The heart of Ulaanbaatar around Chinggis Square — walking distance to museums, restaurants, banks and the main hotels. The most convenient base for first-time visitors.

• Peace Avenue (Seoul Street area) about MNT 220,000 per night

  The lively main avenue with malls, cafés, nightlife and mid-range hotels — good for shopping and eating out.

Hotels

• Shangri-La Ulaanbaatar 5-star · MNT 450,000 to MNT 1,300,000 per night
• Kempinski Hotel Khan Palace 5-star · MNT 300,000 to MNT 750,000 per night
• The Blue Sky Hotel and Tower 5-star · MNT 350,000 to MNT 950,000 per night
• Sunpath Mongolia Guesthouse 2-star · MNT 35,000 to MNT 120,000 per night
• Best Western Premier Tuushin Hotel 4-star · MNT 260,000 to MNT 520,000 per night
• Bayangol Hotel 4-star · MNT 200,000 to MNT 400,000 per night

Where to eat

• Modern Nomads Mongolian · about MNT 35,000 per person
• Khaan Buuz Mongolian, Fast Food · about MNT 12,000 per person
• Bull Hot Pot Mongolian, Chinese, Hotpot · about MNT 38,000 per person
• Hazara Indian, North Indian · about MNT 40,000 per person
• Veranda Italian, Mediterranean · about MNT 70,000 per person
• Shilling Coffee Cafe, Coffee · about MNT 18,000 per person
• Millie's Espresso Cafe, American, International · about MNT 28,000 per person
• Blue Sky Lounge International, Asian · about MNT 95,000 per person

Getting to Ulaanbaatar

Airport: Ulaanbaatar (UBN)

How visitors arrive in Ulaanbaatar

• Flight into Chinggis Khaan airport By air from International hubs · common

  The international airport is south of the city and handles all domestic and international flights. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Trans-Mongolian train By train from Beijing / Moscow · common

  Trains run on the Trans-Mongolian line from Beijing and Moscow; China service may be reduced to Erenhot. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Bus or car from the Russian or Chinese border By road from Ulan Ude / Zamyn-Uud · possible

  Buses and paved roads arrive from the Russian border in the north and the Chinese border in the south. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the airport to the centre

• Airport shuttle bus X:19 / X:20 unconfirmed

  Routes X:19 from the Sukhbaatar Square stop and X:20 from the 5 Shar stop connect the city with Chinggis Khaan airport, south of town. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Taxi from the airport

  Regular and shared taxis are available. Agree the price in advance. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Hotel airport transfer

  Many higher-end hotels offer airport transfers, so ask when booking. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

Getting around

• Car With Driver
• Taxi

  Taxis in Ulaanbaatar can be flagged down on the street, and booked-taxi services such as Help Taxi and iTaxi are also available.

• Walking

Safety and scams to avoid

• Pickpocketing in crowds

  Naran Tuul (Black Market), State Department Store, crowded buses

  Skilled pickpockets work busy markets and packed public buses, slitting bags or lifting wallets and phones while you are distracted.

  How to avoid it: Wear bags in front, keep valuables in inner pockets, and avoid carrying large amounts of cash in markets.

• Unofficial taxi overcharging

  Chinggis Khaan Airport, Sukhbaatar Square, nightlife areas

  Unmarked cars posing as taxis quote inflated fixed fares to tourists, especially from the airport, instead of the standard ~1,500–2,000 MNT/km rate.

  How to avoid it: Use ride-hailing apps (UBCab, Tapsi) or agree the fare/method before getting in; prefer the official airport taxi desk.

• Bar and nightclub bill padding

  Nightlife venues in the city centre

  Some bars add unordered items or inflate the bill, occasionally with intimidation, particularly late at night.

  How to avoid it: Check your bill, keep track of orders, and stick to reputable venues; avoid touts inviting you to obscure clubs.

• Distraction theft

  Sukhbaatar Square, tourist photo spots

  A stranger spills something on you or asks for help while an accomplice takes your bag or phone left on a table.

  How to avoid it: Stay aware in crowds, never leave belongings unattended, and be wary of unsolicited close contact.

Best time to visit Ulaanbaatar

• Jan -15°C
• Feb -9°C
• Mar 0°C
• Apr 10°C
• May 18°C
• Jun 23°C
• Jul 25°C
• Aug 23°C
• Sep 17°C
• Oct 8°C
• Nov -5°C
• Dec -14°C

More in Mongolia

• Dalanzadgad
• Gorkhi-Terelj
• Kharkhorin
• Khatgal
• Ölgii
• Mörön

Frequently asked questions about Ulaanbaatar

What are the top-rated places to visit in Ulaanbaatar?

The highest-rated places in our Ulaanbaatar guide are Gandantegchinlen Monastery, Chinggis Khaan National Museum, Bogd Khan Mountain (Tsetsee Gun), Sukhbaatar Square (Chinggis Square), Zaisan Memorial.

Where should I stay in Ulaanbaatar?

Our guide covers these areas to stay in Ulaanbaatar: Sukhbaatar Square & City Centre, Peace Avenue (Seoul Street area).

How do I get around Ulaanbaatar?

Ways to get around Ulaanbaatar covered in our guide: Car with driver, Taxi, Walking.

What scams should I watch out for in Ulaanbaatar?

Scams reported to us for Ulaanbaatar include Pickpocketing in crowds; Unofficial taxi overcharging; Bar and nightclub bill padding. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.

What is the weather like in Ulaanbaatar?

Average daytime highs in Ulaanbaatar run from -15°C in Jan to 25°C in Jul.

Which airport is nearest to Ulaanbaatar?

The nearest airport to Ulaanbaatar has the code UBN.