Ulaanbaatar
Mongolia · 1350 m
Description
Ulaanbaatar is the capital of Mongolia and holds close to half the population of the country, a city of Soviet blocks, glass towers and ger districts spreading up the hillsides in a valley ringed by mountains. It is the coldest capital in the world. Every overland journey begins here, because the road network radiates from it and almost nothing connects sideways. Gandantegchinlen monastery kept Buddhist practice alive through the purges and still houses a twenty six metre gilded Janraisig. The national museum runs from bronze age deer stones to the Mongol empire and the socialist century.
Length of stay
Recommended length of stay: 2 to 5 days (optimal 3 days)
Travel season
Best time to visit: June – September
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights
- Gandantegchinlen Monastery and the Janraisig statue
- Sükhbaatar Square and the Chinggis Khaan monument
- National Museum of Mongolia
- Naadam wrestling, archery and horse racing (approx. July)
- Winter Palace of the Bogd Khan
- Zaisan Memorial and its view over the city
- Choijin Lama Temple Museum
- Narantuul open-air market
- Zanabazar Museum of Fine Arts
- Cashmere shops and the State Department Store
- Buuz and khuushuur in the city canteens
- Throat singing and morin khuur performances
- Bogd Khan Uul protected area on the southern rim
- Trans-Mongolian Railway station
- Peace Avenue cafés and Beatles Square
Getting there
- Airports:
- UBN
- Train stations:
- Ulaanbaatar