No one goes to Mongolia for the cities, and yet there's much to recommend about Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia. Once you’re over the shock of its chaotic diversity and deranged energy, Ulaanbaatar’s may well suck you in, with everything from Tibetan temples and royal palaces to acrobatics shows, heavy metal gigs, and traditional shamans. Most of the top things to do in Ulaanbaatar are actually outside the city: It’s a solid base for exploring the Gorkhi-Terelj and Hustai national parks, not to mention the giant Genghis Khan Statue Complex.
Unless you’re a sucker for icy winters, you’ll likely want to visit Ulaanbaatar in summer, when the weather is more pleasant, or conceivably in May or September. The Naadam Games, a celebration of Mongolia’s three “manly sports”—archery, horse racing, and wrestling—falls in mid-July and is the city’s biggest tourist draw. Book well ahead if this is on your agenda.
Ulaanbaatar has a good network of public buses, but unless you read Cyrillic (Russian-style) script, both the buses and the associated apps can be hard to navigate: If you fancy your chances, you’ll need a U-money bus card. Self-driving in Mongolia is generally difficult and dangerous, so most travelers get around by taxi (UBCab is one popular homegrown taxi app), on foot, or with private drivers.
Genghis Khan—known here as Chinggis Khaan—is Mongolia’s national hero, and his name looms large over Ulaanbaatar’s drinking scene. You can enjoy Chinggis beer, Chinggis vodka, and Chinggis cocktails, maybe even to a backdrop of local folk-metal band The Hu’s The Great Chinggis Khaan. For the full experience, head out of the city to the bar in the Genghis Khan Statue Complex, which sits underneath a 131-foot (40-meter) equestrian statue of the great man himself.
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The capital of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar is best known for savagely cold winters and the annual Naadam festival, a celebration of Mongolia’s deeply ingrained sports of archery, horse racing, and wrestling. But you’ll also find cultural attractions including museums, Buddhist monasteries, and the Winter Palace of the Bogd Khaan.
...MoreIt depends. If you’re planning on using Ulaanbaatar as a central base for touring Mongolia, aim to spend from five days to several weeks. If you’re going to be moving around the country—which is generally a better option—a day and a night in Ulaanbaatar is enough to see the sights.
...MoreYes, Ulaanbaatar is worth a visit. Most travelers enjoy Ulaanbaatar on their way to national parks, the Gobi Desert, endless steppe, and adventures on horseback and in ger tents. Although an interesting city, Ulaanbaatar is not a city-break destination: Most attractions are outside the city and take time to reach.
...MoreUlaanbaatar is reasonably safe. Petty crime is common—look out for pickpockets, particularly during the Naadam Games—but violent crime is rare and gun violence largely unheard of. Be cautious about displaying expensive jewelry, watches, or smartphones, and book taxis through one of Mongolia’s home-grown apps rather than taking unmarked street vehicles.
...MoreIn winter, Ulaanbaatar—known as the world's coldest capital—puts the chill in chilly. It's been known to drop as low as -40°F (-40°C), and in January the weather routinely hits an icy -20°F (-29°C). In fact, the weather is so cold that the annual average temperature is only just above freezing.
...MoreAs in any cold climate, layering is key to conquering Ulaanbaatar’s low temperatures. Think thermal undergarments, warm tights or leggings, warm socks, warm boots, and technical top layers that are easy to remove. You should wear liners under your gloves and invest in a warm hat with good ear protection.
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