ulan bator tour

• Welcome. Any questions?
• phone +976 70117770
• WhatsApp: +976 90099908

Mongolia City Tour

Ulaanbaatar city tour 1 day.

• Duration: 1 day
• Tour grade: Soft
• Group size: 1 to 30 PAX
• Available: All Year Round

A 10-hour Ulaanbaatar city sightseeing tour includes the top attractions of the city , plus lunch in a fine Mongolian restaurant. You will start the day by visiting an active monastery that holds the 26.5 m gilded Buddha statue. Next, visit the National Museum of Mongolia, followed by the city's main square. The Zaisan Hill climb will let you see the panoramic view of Ulaanbaatar. The Bogd Khan Palace Museum displays the religious artifacts and personal items used by the Mongolian religious leader and last king Bogd Javzandamba, and his queen Dondogdulam. You will find that attending a traditional cultural performance is one of the must-see things in Ulaanbaatar.

09:00 Your guide and driver meet you at your accommodation. The tour heads to the Gandantegchilen Monastery to see the chanting of the Buddist monks followed by visits to old monasteries left from the communist purge of the 1930s. Gandantegchilen is the most renowned functional monastery in Mongolia. It is a peaceful and attractive place. Specifically, the 26 m high gilded deity of Buddha. 10:30 Visit Central Square surrounded by the Government House, Cultural Centre, Stock Exchange, and Drama Theatre. At the square, you will see a big statue of the national pride Genghis Khan and revolutionary hero Sukhbaatar, besides hearing some stories about the area. Also, you will find out the square is an ideal place for youths who like to spend their free time. 11:00 Visit the National Museum of Mongolia. The museum is one of the most informative museums that display a vast array of historical and cultural items ranging from 700,000 years old prehistoric to modern-day historical relics and different ethnic group clothing, daily nomadic life items, and much more. 13:30 Have authentic Mongolian meals for lunch. 15:00 Drive to a war memorial on Zaisan Hill to see panoramic views of Ulaanbaatar. 16:00 Visit the Bogd Khaan Palace Museum. The museum consists of beautiful Chinese and Mongolian temple-style buildings and a Russian-style two-story winter palace where the Mongolian last king, religious leader Bogd Jabuzandamba used to live more than 100 years ago. 17:30 Arrive at Tumen Ekh National Song and Dance Ensemble to see a traditional Mongolian cultural performance. The performance is one of the most attractive, non-touristic things in Ulaanbaatar. Between 6:00 PM and 7:00 PM, spend an hour watching awe-inspiring colorful plays of traditional songs, dances, music, throat singing, and contortion. 19:30 Drop you off at your accommodation.

• For children of a family trip
• One free space for every 16 pax
• Group traveler discount
• Please contact us for more trip details.
• Entry fees to the musuems, monastery
• Show ticket
• Authentic Mongolian lunch
• Comfortable, airconditioned car transfers
• English-speaking guide
• Transfers from and to your accommodation
• Bottled water
• Items of personal use
• International travel
• Bar bills, beverages, alcoholic drinks
• Travel & medical insurance
• Optional activities & additional services
• Accommodation

Ulaanbaatar day tour is suitable for all age groups and includes the most attractive places in Ulaanbaatar. The package includes Mongolian lunch (consider meat domains in Mongolian meals and inform us in advance if you have dietary restrictions), air-conditioned vehicles (the vehicle type differs depending on the number of people), and an English-speaking guiding service.

The tour includes a typical Mongolian lunch.

The tour has not included accommodation. If you wish, we can include accommodation according to your request at the base of an additional payment. The accommodation type ranges from budget guesthouses to international 5-star hotels.

The majority of our company's guides are English speaking. We also have guides who speak German, French, Spanish and Japanese. They are all friendly, helpful and most of them were born and raised in the Mongolian countryside. Therefore, they have good knowledge about every aspect of Mongolia and have at least three years or more years of guiding experience. During the camel riding, a local guide will support you.

For one and two clients, a Sedan car will serve. An air-con Japanese and Korean vans will serve more than two clients.

The tour is available all year round. However, the program is subject to change during winter cold and low season schedules of the museums and cultural performances. Even though, we will be happy to replace the attractions with ones of your interest. You may check the Ulaanbaatar attractions

Amarbayasgalant Short Trip

This short trip leads you to Amarbayasgalant, the most beautiful and the least visited monastery located in the beautiful valley of the Iver River in Selenge province. It is worth visiting the monastery even though it is located 360 km from Ulaanbaatar.

Best of the Gobi Short Tour

On this short trip, you will explore the Gobi Desert highlights. Additionally, you will experience the uniqueness of the Gobi Desert while staying at ger camps in the middle of nowhere and 360° views of the steppes, awe-inspiring sunrise and sunset, and star gazing at night.

Short Trip to Hustai National Park & Kharkhorin

Visit nomads on the northern edge of the Gobi desert in Elsentasarkhai, explore the ancient monastery Erdenezuu, and see the last survival of earth’s wild horses roaming through the holy hills of Hustai National Park.

Trip Details

• Practicalities

Gandantegchinlen Monastery:

The Gandantegchinlen Monastery is a Mongolian Buddhist monastery in the Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar that has been restored and revitalized since 1990. The Tibetan name translates to the “Great Place of Complete Joy”. It currently has over 150 monks in residence. It features a 26.5-meter-high statue of Avalokiteśvara. It came under state protection in 1994. The monastery was constructed by order of the 5th Jebtsundamba Khutuktu in 1809. The first temple was the Gungaachoilin Datsan. Only one wooden pillar remains from this temple. In 1838, the Gandantegchenlin Temple was built along with the private residence of the Jebtsundamba Khutuktu. The 13th Dalai Lama stayed in the residence in 1904. In 1840, the Vajradhara Temple was built. In 1869, the Zuu Temple was built. In 1913, the tall Avalokiteśvara temple was built. In 1925, the temple for keeping the remains of the 8th Jebtsundamba Khutuktu was built. It is now the monastery library.

Sukhbaatar square:

Sukhbaatar Square is the central square of Mongolia’s capital Ulaanbaatar. The official name was changed in 2013 in honor of Chinggis Khaan, considered the founding father of Mongolia. But again changed previously name in 2016. The city’s residents still refer it by the original name. A large colonnade monument to Chinggis Khaan, as well as to Ögedei Khan, and Kublai Khan dominates the square’s north side directly in front of the Saaral Ordon (Government Palace). The center of the square features an equestrian statue of Damdin Sukhbaatar, one of the leaders of Mongolia’s 1921 revolution.

National Museum of Mongolia:

The National Museum of Mongolia is one of the national museums of Mongolia located in Ulaanbaatar. The National Museum of Mongolia is a cultural, scientific, and educational organization, which is responsible for the collection, conservation and interpretation of the objects under its curation.

The first museum in Mongolia, which was called the Mongolian National Museum (now the Mongolian Natural History Museum), was established in 1924.

Winter Palace of the Bogd Khan

The Winter Palace of the Bogd Khan is located in southern Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, on the road to Zaisan. It is now a museum. The palace is the only one left from originally four residences of the eighth Jebtsundamba Khutughtu, who was later proclaimed Bogd Khan, or emperor of Mongolia.

Built between 1893 and 1903, the Chinese style complex includes six temples, each one of them contains Buddhist art-work, including sculpture and thangka. It is one of the few Mongolian historical attractions which have neither been destroyed by the Soviets or the Communist Mongolians. On display are many of the Bogd Khan’s possessions, such as his throne and bed, his collection of art and stuffed animals, his ornate ceremonial ger, a pair of ceremonial boots given to the Khan by Russian Tsar Nicholas II, and also a jeweled regalia worn by the Bogd Khan’s pet elephant.

Zaisan hill

The Zaisan Memorial is a memorial in the southern area of the Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar that honors Soviet soldiers killed in World War II. Located on a hill in the southern part of the city, the memorial features a circular memorial painting that depicts scenes of friendship between the people of the USSR and Mongolia. The mural depicts scenes such as Soviet support for Mongolia’s independence declaration in 1921, the defeat of the Japanese Kwantung Army by the Soviets at Khalkhiin Gol on the Mongolian border in 1939, victory over Nazi Germany and peacetime achievements such as Soviet space flights including the flight of Soyuz 39 which carried the first Mongolian into space, Jugderdemidiin Gurragchaa.

PRICE 2024 ex Ulaanbaatar:

1person:         USD 270 p er person

2people:         USD 170p er person

3people:         USD 150p er person

4/7people:      USD 130p er person

8+people:        USD 100p er person

Practicalities:

Operates daily as shared transfer on fixed times. Starts at 09:00 and finishes around 17:00.

Lunch in Ulaanbaatar. City transfers. Local English speaking guide. Entrance fees to museum and park.

Drinks. Arrival and departure transfers and hotel nights in Ulaanbaatar.

Transfer schedule:

Daily year around.

What our guests say

We appreciate your feedback about our tours and services.

Living the mongolian way

Great place to stay and experience mongolian way of living, no tv, wifi, phone. Just nature and great company of the staff and livestocks of mongolia. The toilet is a hole in the ground covered by a shed. It is clean, but can be smelly to those used to city life. Not hot water supply, inform the staff that you like to hot water half an hour earlier so that they can boil it over camel dung 🙂

You might also enjoy these trips

13th Century Complex

DAILY EXCURSIONS Daily

Learn more >> 

Shaman Tour

Hustai National Park & Bayansonginot Community

DAILY EXCURSIONS Daily Year Around

Terelj National Park

For 25 years Nomadic Journeys has been a leading tour operator in Mongolia, focusing on low impact sustainable tourism. We work with numerous community groups and conservation initiatives around Mongolia. Our philosophy is to offer a low impact travel experience, visiting different places on horse back, yak cart, and camel cart over long difficult journeys on a vehicle. Read more

Phone: +976 11 330360

Email: [email protected]

Visit our Contact page for more details

SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER

I am a travel agent I am a regular customer

Share on Mastodon

• +976 99040894
• [email protected]

Golden Eagle Festival Mongolia 2024 -2025 Locally enjoyed festival

Horse Riding Mongolia – A journey off the beaten track

Horse Archery Mongolia 2024 Tour

Winter Reindeer Herders Mongolia – Dukha Adventure Tour

Tailor-Made Tours Mongolia

Ulaanbaatar City Tour

• Destinations
• Blogs and Articles

• View trip gallery
• Date: Always available
• Duration: 1-day
• Group size: 4 PAX
• Tour price: 35 to 45 USD
• Activity level: Easy
• Accommodation: None
• Transportation: 4x4 vehicle

This full-day Ulaanbaatar city tour is filled with the best destinations of the capital. Its purpose is to give you a deeper understanding of Mongolia’s past, present, and future.

Start your day early with a visit to one of the most important monasteries of Mongolia – Gandantegchiglen. It is also referred to as Gandan Khiid locally. The highlights to mention of this destination would be the different architectural styles of the temples. The 26-meter/87-foot tall statue of the all-seeing deity is also a sight to behold.

From the monastery, we will head to the National History Museum of Mongolia. It has countless artifacts from times as early as the stone age to modern times treasures of Mongolia. Near the museum, there is the main square of Ulaanbaatar, Sukhbaatar square. We will explore this popular central area.

During the seasonal time of tourism, you will spend your evening at a Mongolian traditional folk concert . With many performances by talented artists such as throat singers, dancers, contortionists, and more.

Create your Ulaanbaatar City Tour with Nomadic Trails!

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Version 1 From May 1st To September 30th Version 2 From October 1st To April 31st

Visit the Gandan Monastery, the center of Buddhism in Mongolia

Explore the National History Museum of Mongolia

The main square of Ulaanbaatar – Sukhbaatar and must-see destinations surrounding it

Enjoy the evening with a traditional folk concert

TOUR ITINERARY

Version 1 FROM MAY 1ST TO SEPTEMBER 30TH

Day 1 – After meeting you early in the morning at your hotel, we will drive to the Gandan Monastery. After visiting the Janraisig, the all-seeing deity in the main monastery, we continue our tour to the treasure box filled with countless historical treasures, the National Museum of Mongolia.

After lunch, we explore the main square of Ulaanbaatar, Sukhbaatar square. We then drive to Zaisan Hill to gaze at the capital from up high and visit the memorial located there.

In the evening we will enjoy a traditional folk concert and finish our tour with dinner in a good restaurant. /L,D/

Version 2 FROM OCTOBER 1ST TO APRIL 31ST

After lunch, we explore the main square of Ulaanbaatar, Sukhbaatar square. We have dinner and conclude our city tour. /L,D/

ULAANBAATAR CITY TOUR GALLERY

what's included

• All meals mentioned accordingly /"B"-breakfast, "L"-lunch, "D"-dinner/
• All transportation mentioned
• Local domestic flight if mentioned
• All accommodation listed
• Professional Tour Leader/Guide - English speaking
• Airport transfers
• Staff meals, accommodation and other expenses where applicable
• Entrance fees to museums, concerts, monasteries, national parks included in the itinerary. /Road charges for tourists, staff, and vehicles are also included/

• Single rooming supplement
• International flights and cost for visas
• Inoculations and personal insurances
• Video recording or photography fees at sights
• Tips and gratuities
• Personal expenses

Tour reviews and testimonials

• Continue reading...

Very professional guiding in what you ever could want. Horse driving, driving trough landscapes, hiking, … it is organised on the most comfortable way as possible.

A Trip with Tulga is more than amazing. He knows every corner of his country and loves to share every aspect of it. He has a large contact list and is very welcome in every community. And wherever you put your tent, you will be astonished of the beauty of the scenery.

With Nomadic Trails it is easy going travelling because they take care of everything you ever could need on your trip.

So planning a trip to Mongolia? Don’t forget to contact Nomadic Trails. They will propose an itinirary on your level and expectations so it will be a once in a lifetime experience you’ll never forget.

I visited Mongolia 3 times now and planning to go next year again, offcourse with Tulga and his crew.

and caliber of care that Tulga, Naraa, and the Nomadic Trails family who supported our journeys was truly wonderful. We were quite dynamic and also very unique in our wants and needs, but this was met with great patience and support. The food was wonderful (thank you Pujee and Saruul)! And the crew and drivers worked tirelessly and often so jovially to support us and keep us safe. I think what touched me most deeply is the connection they each have to their homeland and people- we often stopped along the way to make offerings which was so important to our group… and it was a part of their lives in a beautiful, integral way that taught us so much. They also took care to pick up trash along the way and at Ovoos and shared great care and love to the land and animals. And, the true and respectful relationships Tulga has cultivated with those who hosted and held us along the way, especially in the Taiga, was very touching. They have taken great care and time in cultivating these connections and upholding sacredness and honoring, being sure that the people are supported too, and it is felt. And the sacred places they led us within their culture and nature were truly so special. I would love/be grateful for the honor to travel with them again and I couldn’t imagine being in Mongolia without them! Thank you, Nomadic Trails, so much for accommodating us, guiding us, welcoming us, and caring for us so thoroughly and so lovingly. It was such an honor to be with you all. It is a precious gift I will carry in my heart forever.

and he was able to provide a varied, personal, unique experience. I wanted to create my own personal itinerary and Tulga had the knowledge, contacts, experience and sense of adventure to make that happen. I’ll be returning in 2020 to travel with Nomadic Trails again. Can’t wait!

We developed such tight bonds with the staff who caravanned with us that all of us talk about going back over and over again. The food was extraordinary, which was something we definitely did not expect, given how far away from civilization we were meant to be for most of the trip, and I can still taste the wonton soup and smell the campfire from our night spent on a ridge overlooking the mountains a few hundred miles north of Murun. I recommend this group to everyone I know going to Mongolia, and when I go back, I will be definitely reaching out to Tulga and his crew to handle everything.

We had a wonderful guide Tulga fluent in English and looking after every detail as well as arranging unforgettable visits with Mongolian families to horse riding to taiga. We took a road trip without roads from Ulaanbaatar to the taiga visiting the nomadic people who lives with a reindeers. Amazing sceneries that any photos cannot fully describe! It was amazing! We really got a first hand appreciation of the nomadic way of life and a chance to see incredible Mongolian scenery as well as herds of reindeers, horses, yaks, sheep and goats. And not only about the drive to the countryside, the culture, the food and the gers, but also about the people we met. During our journey into deep countryside into a wilderness, our guides the Nomadic trails team settled beautiful lunch tables on open air, sometimes near to beautiful river, sometimes in a highlands, or woods. And food was amazing! We felt safe, happy and nourished! They was patient and helpful throughout our trip. I’m so happy and grateful to Nomadic trails for having one of the best journeys in my life!

So we had the perfect balance of being safe, whilst having a extremely exciting adventure in rugged, remote Mongolia.

I highly recommend Nomadic Trails. I was slightly hesitant to go to horse trekking in Mongolia because it is quite remote and could end up being a lousy holiday if you had a badly run tour and poor quality horses. I was recommended Nomadic Trails by a friend who had been on five trips with this company.

The Mongolian culture and people was such a pleasure. I have had several of my own horses over the years, and I have to say none have been as awesome as my Mongolia horse, he had so much personality and was a gun, so much fun to ride! Riding through Mongolia was an experience I will never forget. The country is spectacular and vast, photos and video could never do it justice, you have to see for yourself.

I am hoping to go back on another tour with Nomadic Trials again for sure. Five stars is well deserved for this crew. Definitely choose Nomadic Trails.

Our wilderness camp was within walking distance of the festival grounds in an open valley near a small stream offering serenity with sweeping views of the valley. The Ger I stayed in was very nice and private.

Great cooking staff and food and the opportunity to meet tribal elders and be hosted and entertained by local and regional nomadic eagle hunters. Options for horseback riding and other private eagle hunter encounters.

If you are looking for a more intimate eagle festival experience, I highly recommend traveling with Nomadic Trails.

on our way to and from the reindeer people and Tulga ensured that our time with the Tsaatan was respectful and he clearly had an excellent relationship with them built over a number of years. We were always consulted over decisions about activities and where to stay.

The chef who accompanied us throughout the trip was really good (meals included freshly baked bread, pancakes, pizza…). And we were lucky with the weather too.

so the logistics of traveling was already potentially more complex. Every day, Tulga and his team showed up with a smile, and was very knowledgeable and thoughtful in accommodating to our needs while showing us the most breath-taking scenery and local cultures. We’re forever grateful for the Nomadic Trails team and our life-changing journey.

It was a very memorable trip ful of actions, and funny happenings. Our guide, Tulga was very professional and never the less very patient. Tsetsgee, our cook made an excellent job as well, she was able to cook perfect dishes even in the middle of nowhere. See you soon guys! … because every great journey needs to be continued!

We spent 10 days camping with the horses in western Mongolia with a couple of days in Bayan-Ulgii and Ulanbataar. I have so many amazing memories of this trip.

Tulga, our guide, and our support crew were outstanding and we always felt very safe and well looked after. Our cook was very good. I became especially fond of Tulga and Bolat (our horseman) Tulga is friendly and funny, and Bolat was shy, but oh so cheeky once I got to know him!

We had two novice riders, with myself and another being experienced riders. Our horses were supplied by the first family we met in the Bayan-Ulgii countryside. They were exceptionally well cared for and very well behaved. These mongol horses are incredible and temperaments outstanding. They were very well picked in nature for our traveling members.

I nicknamed my horse Constable Care (Aussie joke) and he definitely lived up to his name. He was very careful and did a great job looking after me. He was so tolerant of me plaiting him up like a show pony, and not a bite or kick in him. The support crew played a joke and did his mane up in the traditional manner the next day we rode out!

My favourite memory of Constable Care was on our last day with the horses. Our novice riders walked behind with Bolat, while Tulga, myself and our other experienced rider galloped back to our first family. After riding to our slowest members, it was great to stretch our legs. Constable Care was amazingly fast.

What a way for a character building adventure! We went after peak tourist season, so the weather was a little more unpredictable, but still quite tolerable. So many fond memories, from 17 sleeping in a family Ger, tasting mares milk in the street of Bayan-ulgii, admiring Bronze Age rock art, watching a late season small town nadaam festival, our horseman singing for us, ice cream and beer on a dry day, museums, haggling for art in chiggis khan square and shopping in UB. All in the increiable landscape of Mongolia and the Altai mountains.

My wind horse was definitely reinvigorated and Mongolia is calling to me. When the time is right I will be contacting Tulga and Nomadic Trails again.

is very proud of his country and he showed us very nice sceneries, he took us to families living in gers where we shared songs and snacks! Other times whe were welcomed by a family and asked to share their meal and even their ger where we could spend the night. When crossing the country, we would always stop in the evening at the most wounderful places to spend the night. It’s unbelievable how Tulga is able to find his way without Satnav!!!! So we could admire the marvellous landscapes, enjoy the absolute stillness, dream into the amazing sky covered with millions of stars. And in the morning we were welcomed by Pudge, a very good cook, whose meals are realy delicious and colorful. Nice table, nice chairs in an open air eating tent: *****. The careful drivers who took us through the country are very friendly and helpful. There was always one of them helping for the setup of my tent. I’m not fluent in Mongolian(!), but no words are needed with this friendly people! They always stay good tempered even when the roads are soaked and hard to cross. The complete team keeps joking and laughing. Thanks to the people of Nomadic Trails and their perfect organization I have had a wounderful experience and I still have enjoyable memories…. I’ll go back!

but a real intense experience of this amazing place! I want to thanks all of the Nomadic Trails Staff for the amazing experience! Thanks thanks thanks! Nomadic Trails is the best to travel in Mongolia!

hopping on our horses to go to the Tsaatan reindeer tribe, then finally staying at one of the best camps in Murun. Everything was so well-organized. Noteworthy is Tulga’s relationship with the tribe, which is an important consideration when we were planning this trip as we want to be as respectful as possible to the tribe for them not to feel uneasy during our stay. Our group was delighted to have raw and authentic Mongolian experience without having to sacrifice comfort – we had delicious food, great accommodation and comfortable transportation all throughout our trip – thanks to the incredible team of Nomadic Trails!

The meals they prepared for us were far better than anything I ever make myself at home. We were kept warm, fed and safe.

The Mongolian outback is rugged to say the least and some of the most beautiful landscape I’ve ever seen and our drivers navigated through it all seamlessly. Of course there were setbacks like getting stuck in the mud a few times and needing to reroute due to landscape issues, but it was all part of the adventure.

Our tour leader, Khulan, was absolutely amazing and remains a friend of mine to this day. I cannot say enough good things about this company. They did such a good job of showing us their country and exposing us to their culture. It was an experience I will never forget.

The experience staying with the reindeer tribe was incredible and something not to miss in northern Mongolia. Overall the whole tour was well organized and I would have another tour in the future.

made sure to help us in a way that was aligned with our intentions for the trip. i felt very cared for and supported by the whole team. their flexibility and strong guidance were in perfect balance. and it was really fun! we danced and laughed enough memories to carry me through life. Nomadic Trails feels like family to me now. their connection to the local people and lands were inspiring and completely heartfelt. the food that was prepared in the wilds was exceptionally amazing. the places we went to were extraordinarily beautiful. i would not go on a spiritual journey to Northern Mongolia with anyone else!

We left from Hong Kong, which was presented some difficulties as there was a typhoon which meant that we could have been delayed, as well as the fact that there was an issue with our code share flight which prevented us from checking in online. Temuulen was great as she called the airline for us to see what the issue was, and was messaging us to check whether we made our flight on time. When we arrived we were fetched without any hassle and were pleasantly surprised that the car we were in was a Land Cruiser, which proved to be very comfortable. On the first evening Temuulen told us that the route we had wanted to go on was washed away by unexpected rain, but said we could still go if we really wanted to. We really appreciated that as my friend had singled out one of the attractions on that route as the reason for the trip. Our driver, Bataar was excellent. The journey was comfortable and both Bataar and Temuulen ensured that every request we made was catered for. We even asked for a last minute change of itinerary on the last day we was accommodated even though it was an extra 3 hour drive. All in all we were really pleased with Nomadic Trails, the trip was a once in a life time experience and made better by Bataar and Temuulen.

thanks to Nomadic Trails. Tulga and everyone on his team were so accommodating to any of our requests and even helped us navigate our way through the local market and barter for souvenirs. Truly delicious food as well at every stop. Phenomenal all around. Thank y’all for everything! Unbelievable experience in Mongolia!

expectations and we went back for another trip the next year. The culture, food, horses and especially the country were wonderful. We highly recommend Nomadic Trails if you want to see real Mongolia.

WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THIS TOUR?

• TOUR DESTINATIONS

All entrance fees are included in the tour cost. However, if you would like to photograph Gandan Monastery and the Mongolian Folk concert, make sure to bring extra cash of around 25 USD as photography and video fees are not included.

Packing tips for the Ulaanbaatar city tour:

At Gandan Monastery, it is polite not to wear too revealing clothes. It is also slightly chilly inside the monasteries. So bringing a hoodie to wear inside would be best advised. There are no dress codes for our other destinations.

You will be provided by your Nomadic Trails guide with mineral water, lunch, and dinner.

Related blogs & articles

Booking form, you might also be interested:.

Spiritual and Shaman Tour Mongolia 2024

• 12-days 11-nights
• staring from 2200 USD

Kharkhorin & Hustai National Park Tour

• 2-days 1-nights

Genghis Khan Statue Tour

Contact us:.

• Call - Whatsapp: +976 99040894

About Nomadic Trails:

• Tour reviews

Popular blogs and articles:

Tour by category

• Adventure Tour Mongolia
• Best Selling Tour Mongolia
• Cultural Tour Mongolia
• Reindeer Festival Tour
• Reindeer tour Mongolia
• reindeer Tours mONgolia
• Short Tour Mongolia
• Tailor-Made Tour Mongolia
• Tours for EXPATS in Mongolia
• winter reindeer tour Mongolia
• Winter Tour Mongolia
• Copyright Nomadic Trails Co.,Ltd

Explore the world with tourHQ

• Destinations
• I am a Guide
• I am a Traveller
• Online Experiences
• Currency (USD)

Uncover a surprisingly lively and culturally-rich cityscape beneath Ulan Bator’s concrete veneer with the help of a local guide from tourHQ. Expect horse racing festivals, Mongol foods and more.

Search Cities in Mongolia

Ulan Bator Tours

Exclusive experiences tailored just for you or your group.

Experience adventures alongside others in a small group setting.

• Price: Low to High
• Price: High to Low
• Duration: Shorter First
• Duration: Longer First

Despite the city’s concrete shell Ulan Bator is a hive of cultural interest, and a much-loved national icon in the minds of local Mongols. Visitors here will have to read between the lines to discover the ever-present charm and trademark hospitality of the inhabitants, while the industrial modernity that’s come to dominate has enacted something of an urban energy in recent years, with international cuisine, nightlife hotspots and shopping centres opening up en masse . The downtown may seem like an unceasing pandemonium of moving traffic; however it’s easy to discover pockets of calm in Ulan Bator. Head for the Gandan Monastery, or Choijin Lama Museum, both magnificent architectural images of oriental grandeur, laden with rich arrays of Mongolian cultural treasures and art. If  visiting in July, be sure not to miss the Mongolian national festival of Naadam, which takes place in the capital’s sports stadium. It’s a great chance to see all of Mongolia’s three traditional national sports in action: Horse racing; archery and wrestling. Ulan Bator may not be the most attractive Asian metropolis, but who needs elaborate façades and pretty buildings when you have a character so rich, diverse and overwhelmingly hospitable as this!

Tell us your destination, date, and group size.

Our team of travel experts and guides will design a tailored itinerary just for you., enjoy your trip with peace of mind knowing everything is taken care of..

Say Goodbye to Travel Stress

Choose Currency Close modal

• USD US, dollar
• GBP British Pounds

Cookie icon We use cookies!

We, and third parties, use cookies for technical and analytical purposes, for marketing purposes and for integration with social media. For more information, refer to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Consent.

By clicking on 'I agree', you consent to the use of these cookies.

• Tour packages
• Tailor Made
• Trip Calendar
• How to get to Mongolia
• Book train ticket
• Book cheap air ticket to Mongolia
• Best time to travel
• Tourist Sim card
• Mongolia Visa information
• What to pack
• Travel Insurance
• List of Mongolian Embassy
• Company profile
• Clients Feedback
• Job Vacancy
• Terms & conditions
• Privacy Policy
• Practical Information
• Destinations
• Things To Do
• Culture, Art & History
• Nature & Geography
• People & Society

• Practical information
• Gobi Desert
• Western Mongolia
• Eastern Mongolia
• Central Mongolia
• Northern Mongolia
• Ulaanbaatar
• Around Ulaanbaatar
• Weather Forecast

How it began

Latest blogs

Ulaanbaatar city tour (1 day), what to expect, good to know, ulaanbaatar city.

We make sure to take you to the most popular museums and other highlighting spots in UB during this tour

• No other destination brings out the true Nature of the Mongolian People than this socio-cultural center.
• Get to know just how Mongolia affects and connects with the rest of the world through the former Genghis Khan Capital city.
• Visit the museum to appreciate the true history of the Mongolian people.
• Experience the true beat of the political and economic heart of Mongolia.
• This destination comes with the backing of The Guardian and The New York Times, so it will definitely amaze you. 
• Private transfers
• English speaking guide
• All entrance fee
• Personal expenses
• Optional activities
• Camera fee for museum & monastery
• Travel Insurance  www.WorldNomads.com

10.00.  Meet in Ulaanbaatar

10.20.  Tour to Gandan Monastery

12.00.  Tour to National Historical Museum

13.00.  Walk in Sukhbaatar square and see the monument of Genghis Khan

14.00 . Tour to Zaisan Hill Memorial and Buddha Garden

15.00 . Take cashmere and souvenir shops

17.30 . Show performance of N ational Folklore

19.30.  End the trip.

As a socio-economic, political and cultural center of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar welcomes you with various destinations and attractions.  Either you are visiting Ulanbator (it's different spelling), for business or pleasure, you should definitely have sometime out exploring its history, arts, and natural museums that can give you ample understanding about not only the country itself, but its connections, roles, and influences in the region and the whole world, in a broader sense.  We make sure to take you to the most popular museums and other highlighting spots in UB during this tour.

The price per person will depend on the size of the group as shown below.

• filter_vintage Authentic
• favorite Unforgettable

Reviewed May 30, 2018 via mobile Great day tour of Ulan Bator Five of us had a great day tour of Ulan Bator by minibus, with lunch included. We visited a temple, history museum, monument overlooking the city, had a great folklore show and included lunch. The only shopping time included was at our request. Great overview tour.

Thank you for introducing us to Mongolia and getting us in at the very end of the season! Our tour itinerary was nicely customized for us and Togosoo and Nandai were very capable. I loved the different Ger camps (even though it was freezing cold overnight! The wood stoves are wonderful), and it was rather nice for everything to be so empty of other tourists.

• The best time to make this trip May to September is the best season, with the peak season in July for the Naadam Festival. July and August are also the wettest months of the year but be assured, our climate is such that you will still have many sunny days at this time. The best time to visit the Gobi is June or September.  
• ​ Accommodation: We believe that comfortable, welcoming accommodation is vital to the enjoyment of your trip. You will be staying in a standard 3-4 star hotel in Ulaanbaatar and a tourist ger camp (traditional dwelling) with currency (220V), shower and other useful services (2 to 4 people per ger) in the countryside. All accommodation offered by Discover Mongolia is personally checked by our staff to ensure high standards.  
• ​Meals: In Ulaanbaatar, you will be dining at fine European and Asian cuisine restaurants. Mutton, beef, rice, and noodles form the basis of the Mongolian diet, so your meals will be based around this. However, the trail rations may include vegetables, eggs, peanut butter, cheese and sometimes yak! On some days there will be lunchboxes from tourist camps. It is good food and our experience has been that guests are happy with this arrangement. Please let us know in advance if you are a vegetarian. Alcohol is not provided on the trip but tourists are free to bring their own.  
• ​Transport: Discover Mongolia use the highest level, latest model, air-conditioned private vans or 4WD vehicles for the maximum comfort on your touring days. A day's drive in the countryside will be approx 200-250km.  
• ​Personal things to bring with you: Warm thin layers of clothing are the best such as bring a waterproof jacket, and a hat and headscarf to protect you from the sun and winds. Don't forget insect repellent, sun cream, lip-gloss, water purifying tablets and first aid kit (medicine for headache, cold, diarrhea, runny nose; bandages; any medicine prescribed for you ). All your camera equipment.

Related Tours

• Amazing 130-foot Chinggis Khaan Statue.
• Gracious and flowing natural scenery.
• Hike the famous Turtle Rock and Aryabal Monastery.

Since 2004, we have been helping people the world over to enjoy unforgettable adventures to our homeland, and we do it all with expertise and passion.

• Best seller tours
• Tailor made tour
• A day tours
• Join in tours
• Private tours
• Best Time to Travel
• Mongolian Visa Information
• Hotel booking
• Flight ticket booking
• Train ticket booking

• / Visit of Ulan Bator

Visit of Ulan Bator

Ulan Bator was founded in the 17th century to be the religious centre of the country. Today, it's a modern city that houses nearly 45 % of the whole population of Mongolia. Of course, the city still has Soviet signs, but it changes very quickly and we can discover, hidden in its large streets, many treasures and exceptional museums .

Take advantage of this visiting day to discover and enjoy Ulan Bator.

Day 1 Visit of Ulan Bator city

Visit of Gandantegchinlen Monastery . In the morning, lamas get together to pray. They will answer your questions at the Mongolian Buddhist Centre.

Visit of a cashmere production factory , main craft of Mongolia.

Visit of the Bogd Khan winter palace , the last home of the great Bogd of Mongolia. We will also have a small walk to the Zaisan hill russian memorial from which we have a wonderful view over the whole city of Ulan Bator.

Let's immerse ourselves in the heart of the Mongolian history , in the wonderful National History Museum . Three floors of a rich, glorious, violent and noble past, from prehistory to Soviet period, including the creation of the great Mongolian Empire by Genghis Khan .

Walk in the centre of Ulan-Bator . Discovery of Gengis Khan Square and the House of Parliament.

At 18 o' clock, Mongolian traditional show at Tumen Ekh : folkloric dances, contortion, and of course khoomi , the overtone singing.

I want to privatise this tour for me and my friends / family

Not included, booking conditions.

All requests for registration must be made by e-mail from the Local Agency, directly online from the Customer Area accessible from the website of the Local Agency, or the website of our group www.nomadays.fr.

To connect to the Customer Area, simply enter the login and password set during the first connection.

Registration is considered final once the online booking form is completed and upon received payment of the deposit and/or balance depending on the date of registration.

Depending on the services chosen and the regulations of the country, a photocopy of the passport may be requested by the Local Agency. In case of not sending the photocopy of the passport within the time indicated by the Local Agency, it cannot guarantee the proper performance of the reserved services.

Once payment has been made, a confirmation email is sent to the Customer. It includes the confirmation of the regulation as well as the electronic downloadable invoice.

A confirmation letter is sent to the Customer electronically. If the Customer does not receive the confirmation letter, the reservation would nevertheless be definitive as if it is confirmed by the Local Agency.

Payment Conditions

Registration made more than 30 days before the departure date

The Customer must pay a deposit of 30% of the total amount of the reserved services. The balance must be paid no later than 30 days before the date of the beginning of the stay.

Registration made less than 30 days before the departure date The Customer must pay the full amount of the trip at one time.

Methods of Payment

Upon confirmation of your reservation, your local agent will prepare your electronic invoice, hosted on the platform of Nomadays under your own account. Payments are made either:

By credit card online, free of charge, from the payment links available on the electronic invoice.

By bank transfer to the account of the travel agency.

The electronic invoice is updated with each payment received and can be consulted at any time from the Customer Area. The electronic invoice is downloadable and printable.

Similar to Visit of Ulan Bator

Subscribe our newsletters.

Horseback Mongolia is a local travel agency based in Ulaanbaatar since 2006. Between discovery of the country from every angle (landscapes, culture, lifestyle, activities, ..), comfort and authenticity, we strive to complete your journey to the heart of our homeland. Security, quality support and comfort are our main concerns.

Our other websites : Voyage en Mongolie / Mongolei Reisen / Viajes a Mongolia

MONGOLIA SHORT TOURS & DAY TRIPS

Here you can find our wide selection of quality  Mongolia Short Tours  and  day trips , including Trans-Mongolian train stopovers, Ulaanbaatar city tours, excursions ranging from 1 to  6 days  to cover the most popular travel destinations including  Gobi desert ,  Khuvsgul Lake ,  Karakorum  and the most intersting national parks;  Hustai  and  Terelj .

WHY TRAVEL WITH MONGOLIA SHORT TOURS AGENCY?

• BEST Trips at the Best Price Guarantee
• EASY, Fast Online Booking and Payment by secured by SSL
• SELECTION of quality Mongolia Short Tours and Day trips
• TAILOR-MADE Itineraries for your limited time

Mongolia Short Tours

Top 6 Trips

2 Days Tours

3 Days Tours

4 Days Tours

5 Days Tours

6 Days Tours

Special Interest

Winter Tours

Central Mongolia & Gobi Desert

Mongolia Gobi Desert Tour

Terelj National Park - Genghis Khan's Statue Complex

Genghis Khan's Statue Complex - Gun Galuut - Terelj N.P

National Parks around Ulaanbaatar

Central Mongolia Highlights

Our Services

• Train Ticket

Transfer & Car Rental

Create My Trip

TOUR CATEGORY

• 2 Day Tours
• 3 Day Tours
• 4 Day Tours
• 5 Day Tours
• 6 Day Tours

DESTINATIONS

• Ulaanbaatar & National Parks
• Central Mongolia
• Southern Mongolia
• Northern Mongolia
• Eastern Mongolia
• Western Mongolia

TRAVEL GUIDE

• Ulaanbaatar City Map
• Mongolia Travel Map
• Mongolia Quick Facts
• Quick Facts for Visitors
• Travel & Cultural Tips
• How to Book a Trip
• Terms & Conditions
• Transfer & Car Rental

WE ARE MEMBER OF:

17 Incredible Things to Do in Ulaanbaatar (from Locals!) 

Welcome to Ulaanbaatar, the vibrant capital of Mongolia! Nestled amidst large grasslands and hills, this city is a fascinating blend of ancient traditions and modernity. If you’re planning a trip to Ulaanbaatar, you’re in for an extraordinary experience that goes beyond the common tourist attractions. 

Ulaanbaatar by Night – Walk Beside Me Blog

In this blog, we’ll unveil the hidden gems and insider secrets that only the locals know. We’ll give you a unique perspective on this beautiful city. Get ready to explore 17 incredible things to do in Ulaanbaatar straight from the mouths of those who call this place home. 

Visit the National Museum of Mongolia 

Our journey begins at the National Museum of Mongolia , where history comes alive. As you step through the museum’s doors, you’ll be greeted by a treasure trove of artifacts and exhibits that span thousands of years. 

The collection covers a wide range of topics, including archaeology, ethnography, art, and history, providing a comprehensive overview of Mongolia’s past.

Gandan Monastery Ulaanbaatar – Walk Beside Me Blog

As you wander through the meticulously curated halls, you’ll encounter an impressive display of ancient relics, traditional costumes, and intricate artwork. Each exhibit tells a story, shedding light on the nomadic way of life, the rise and fall of empires, and the enduring spirit of the Mongolian people.

One of the museum’s highlights is the Hall of Chinggis Khan, dedicated to the legendary founder of the Mongol Empire. Here, you can learn about his life and achievements.

Also Read: Camping in Mongolia

Plan a Day Trip to the Mini Gobi Desert

As you explore further, go on a day trip to the Mini Gobi Desert . It is a remarkable natural wonder just outside the city. You can feel the warm sand beneath your feet as you look at the beautiful dunes in front of you. 

Mini Gobi Desert – Walk Beside Me Blog

This miniature version of the famous Gobi Desert offers a unique experience, complete with sand dunes, camel rides, and breathtaking sunsets. To make the most of your day trip, it’s a great idea to hire a local guide who can guide you through the desert, sharing their knowledge of the area’s history.

Mini Gobi Desert in Mongolia – Walk Beside Me Blog

If you are adventurous souls like us, you’ll love the thrill and adrenaline rush that comes with sandboarding.

Visit the Zaisan Memorial

Another must-visit destination is the Zaisan Memorial . This iconic landmark will give you a unique opportunity to get lost in panoramic views of the city. 

Zaisan Memorial – Walk Beside Me Blog

The Zaisan Memorial was constructed in the 1970s to commemorate the soldiers of World War II and to honor the friendship between Mongolia and the Soviet Union. As you ascend the steps leading to the memorial, you’ll see some sculptures and reliefs that depict significant moments in Mongolian and Soviet history.

The memorial is on top of a hill, so you can go for a leisurely hike to connect with nature and take in the fresh air. The peacefulness of the surrounding hillsides will give you rest from the bustling city below.

Feel the Local Vibes at the Sukhbaatar Square

To truly feel the local vibes, head to Sukhbaatar Square . Here, you’ll witness the daily lives of locals as they go about their routines. You can also interact with them. They are often more than happy to share stories, insights, and recommendations about their beloved city. 

While at Sukhbaatar Square, be sure to visit the Mongolian Parliament Building. Admire the architectural grandeur of this iconic structure, which serves as a symbol of democracy in Mongolia. 

As the day winds down, find a spot to sit and relax in the square to enjoy the vibrant ambiance when the sun sets. 

Plan a Day Trip to Gorkhi Terelj National Park

A day trip to Gorkhi Terelj National Park is a must for nature enthusiasts. It is just a short drive from the city and offers a relaxing escape into pristine wilderness. Explore the lush green park and hike through valleys for an adventurous day. 

Visit the Huge Genghis Khan Statue

Continuing our journey through the splendors of Ulaanbaatar, we arrive at the colossal Genghis Khan Statue . This 40 meters tall monument pays homage to the legendary Mongolian leader, Genghis Khan. Take a moment to appreciate the craftsmanship and learn more about the enduring legacy of Genghis Khan.

Genghis Khan statue – Walk Beside Me Blog

Visit the Hustai National Park

Nature lovers will find solace in Hustai National Park . As you enter Hustai National Park, you’ll find yourself surrounded by breathtaking landscapes of hills and forests. The park’s diverse ecosystems provide a haven for flora and fauna, making it a paradise for nature enthusiasts and wildlife lovers.

Hustai National Park Mongolia – Walk Beside Me Blog

The best part of Hustai National Park is undoubtedly the chance to find the majestic Przewalski’s horses in their natural habitat. You should join a local ranger to increase your chances of spotting these elusive horses. 

Check Out the Turtle Rock

When exploring the beautiful land of Mongolia, make sure to check out the iconic Turtle Rock at the Gorkhi-Terelj National Park. This natural formation resembles a giant turtle emerging out of the earth. The unique shape and intricate details of the rock make it a popular spot for photography enthusiasts and nature lovers. 

Turtle Rock in Mongolia – Walk Beside Me Blog

Visit the Altai Tavan Bogd National Park 

As we venture further, we encounter the Altai Tavan Bogd National Park . This untouched wilderness boasts snow-capped mountains, crystal-clear lakes, and abundant wildlife. You can explore its beautiful landscapes and reconnect with nature in its purest form.

Visit the Winter Palace of the Bogd Khan

Step back in time and explore the enchanting Winter Palace of the Bogd Khan , a living testament to Mongolia’s rich history. This palace was once the home of the Bogd Khan, the last ruler of Mongolia’s theocratic monarchy. 

Stepping into the palace is like entering a bygone era, as you wander through stunning halls with vibrant tapestries and ornate furnishings. Each room tells a story, offering a glimpse into the life of Mongolian royalty. From the elegant throne room to the private chambers, you’ll be travelling in a world of royal splendor and cultural significance. 

The palace also houses an impressive collection of religious artifacts, including ancient thangka paintings, statues, and sacred manuscripts.

Spend Time in Cute Ulaanbaatar Coffee Shops

Ulaanbaatar is not only a city of historical and natural marvels but also a paradise for coffee lovers. You should spend time in the cute and cozy Ulaanbaatar coffee shops, where you can savor aromatic brews and delicious pastries. 

Coffee Shop in Ulaanbaatar – Walk Beside Me Blog

Here are some of my favorites that you shouldn’t miss: 

• Bloom Coffee Roasters
• Coffee Bean Tree
• Nayra Shoppe
• BubbleT Cafe
• Choijin Lama Temple 

Chojin Lama Temple in Ulaanbaatar – Walk Beside Me Blog

Visit the Genghis Khan Museum

Explore the charming Genghis Khan Museum to learn about the extraordinary life of the renowned conqueror himself. This museum offers an exclusive experience, allowing you to get up close to artifacts, exhibits, and interactive displays of Genghis Khan. 

The Genghis Khan Museum is a must-visit destination for history enthusiasts and those curious about the fascinating story of one of history’s most influential leaders.

Attend the Daily Cultural Mongolian Show: Tumen Ekh Ensemble

Experience the amazing Mongolian culture by watching the Tumen Ekh Ensemble ‘s daily show. You’ll see talented musicians playing special Mongolian instruments like the horsehead fiddle, and singers using their voices in a special way called throat singing. 

The dancers, adorned in colorful traditional attire, gracefully move across the stage, depicting stories and legends through their choreography. You will also witness acrobats and contortionists who can do incredible tricks with their bodies. The show is a fun and exciting way to learn about the music, dance, and traditions of Mongolia.

Take an Archery Class

Get ready to channel your inner archer and embark on an exciting adventure by taking an archery class in Ulaanbaatar. In archery class, you’ll be taught how to hold the bow, aim at the target, and shoot arrows with accuracy. 

Archery classes offer a fantastic opportunity to connect with Mongolia’s rich nomadic heritage. It has been an integral part of Mongolian life, used for hunting, warfare, and even as a symbol of skill and prowess.

Try Horseback Riding

Get ready for an unforgettable adventure as you try your hand at horseback riding. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced rider, you’ll have the chance to hop on a horse and explore Mongolia’s beautiful landscapes. 

Horse riding in mongolia – Walk Beside Me Blog

Skilled instructors will guide you as you learn how to ride and communicate with your horse. So grab the reins, feel the freedom, and enjoy an unforgettable ride!

Try Famous Mongolia Food

Treat your taste buds to the famous flavors of Mongolia! From savory dumplings to delicious barbecued khorkhog, the cuisine offers a delightful adventure. 

Mongolian Dumplings – Walk Beside Me Blog

For a taste of Mongolian dairy products, try aaruul, which is a dried curd made from fermented milk. It has a unique chewy texture and is often enjoyed as a snack. Airag, fermented mare’s milk, is a traditional Mongolian beverage with a tangy flavor and is an acquired taste worth experiencing.

Mongolian Beef Stir Fry – Walk Beside Me Blog

Here are some famous restaurants in Ulaanbaatar where you can try authentic Mongolian food:

• Modern Nomads : This restaurant offers a modern twist on traditional Mongolian cuisine, serving dishes made with locally sourced ingredients.
• Gobi Cave : Known for its warm and welcoming atmosphere, Gobi Cave specializes in traditional Mongolian dishes such as buuz, khuushuur, and khorkhog.
• Rock Salt : This restaurant serves a variety of Mongolian dishes, including hearty soups, grilled meats, and dairy-based specialties.
• Nomads Restaurant : Located in the heart of Ulaanbaatar, Nomads Restaurant offers a diverse menu featuring authentic Mongolian flavors and dishes prepared with a modern twist.
• Silk Road Restaurant : Inspired by the historic Silk Road trade route, this restaurant showcases a fusion of Mongolian, Chinese, and Central Asian flavors, offering a unique dining experience.

Bonus: Watch the Great Nadaam Festival

If you’re lucky enough to visit Ulaanbaatar during the Great Nadaam Festival, you’re in for an extraordinary cultural experience. This festival is one of the most significant events in Mongolia, showcasing traditional sports and celebrating the country’s rich heritage.

During the festival, you’ll have the opportunity to witness the thrilling “Three Manly Games” of Mongolian wrestling, horse racing, and archery. These ancient sports hold deep cultural significance and are an integral part of Mongolian identity. 

The atmosphere at the Great Nadaam Festival is electric, with vibrant parades, traditional music performances, and colorful costumes adding to the festivities. Dive into the joyous spirit of the event as locals gather to celebrate their history and traditions.

Buddha Statue in a Monastery in Ulaanbaatar – Walk Beside Me Blog

Attending the Great Nadaam Festival offers a chance to witness centuries-old traditions come alive. 

Note: While the festival is typically held in July, it’s important to check the specific dates and locations in advance, as they may vary each year. 

As we come to the end of our exploration of the 17 incredible things to do in Ulaanbaatar, one thing becomes clear: this city is a treasure of unique experiences. From visiting museums and adventurous parks to experiencing the local vibe, Ulaanbaatar offers something for every traveler. 

So, why wait? Start planning your journey to Ulaanbaatar and go on an unforgettable adventure filled with discovery, wonder, and the warmth of Mongolian hospitality.

Enjoying reading our posts?

Join our mailing list to receive all of our travel journeys and recommendations :-)

Welcome! From now on, you won't miss any of our news!

Achraf is the cofounder of Walk Beside Me Blog. He is an expert traveler who spent 10+ years exploring 70+ countries around the world. Thanks to his passion for writing and photography, he could document his journey on 100+ blog posts on Walk Beside Me where he shared all his knowledge, expertise, and advice for like-minded travelers.

Camping in Mongolia: The Ultimate Guide & Best Spots

4 ways to enjoy a safe vacation when you travel to texas, related posts, iran 10 day itinerary: the ultimate road trip..., the best mongolia itinerary from a local’s experience, camping in mongolia: the ultimate guide & best..., the perfect 2-day kyoto itinerary for first timers, how to experience magical ninh binh and mua..., uzbekistan food and cuisine: 17 best must-try dishes, the best kyrgyzstan itinerary that you can do..., 8 most incredible sunset & sunrise spots in..., the perfect 7-day uzbekistan itinerary: your all-in-one guide, kyrgyzstan travel guide: all you need to know....

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Got it Read More

Ulaanbaatar travel guide

Ulaanbaatar tourism | ulaanbaatar guide, you're going to love ulaanbaatar.

Few cities in the world have experienced as much change over the past 20 years as Mongolia's capital, Ulan Bator. Home to around half of the nation's population and growing all the time, Ulan Bator has shrugged off the Communist era, developing a thriving youth culture (with a huge K-Pop music fanbase), and some fabulous dining experiences.

It's also started to exploit the rich history of Mongolia, with monasteries, traditional theaters, and archaeological museums, creating a unique blend of the old, new, and the completely unpredictable. Whether you're headed for a yurt stay on the steppes or passing through to Beijing, Ulan Bator has plenty to offer.

Top 5 Reasons to Visit Ulaanbaatar

1. history and spritual endurance.

Life hasn't always been easy for Mongolian Buddhists, but they are well and truly back in the saddle these days, and the country's rich religious heritage is a major attraction - from dazzling temples like Gandam to the dancing masks collection at Choijin Lama.

2. Excellent Museums

The capital's museums offer a great spread of attractions. The Natural History Museum is exceptional, as is the National Museum of Mongolian History, but smaller attractions like the Museum of Mongolian Costumes also delight.

3. A Dynamic Youth Culture

30 years ago, nobody would have anticipated Ulan Bator's craze for Korean pop, and the capital's youth culture continually changes. Don't miss hip venues like iLoft, or schedule a trip for July when the Playtime Festival hits nearby Gachuurt.

4. Offbeat Sporting Attractions

Forget about NFL or basketball.Ulan Bator is the place to sample something a little bit different:Mongolian wrestling.The Wrestling Palace hosts bouts of "Bökh" wrestling all the time, and the atmosphere is incredible.

5. It's a Place to Launch Adventures

By basing yourself in Ulan Bator, you can head into the steppes for horseback riding or yurt stays, see the wild horses of the Hustai National Park, ride camels, or visit huge temples like Amarbayasgalant Monastery.

What to do in Ulaanbaatar

1. visit gandan khiid.

Ulan Bator's largest Buddhist monastery managed to keep going during the communist era (while thousands of smaller monasteries disappeared). The 85-foot-tall Migjid Janraisig statue is the highlight, but the whole complex is fascinating.

2. Tour the Winter Palace

This splendid palace was the last home of Mongolia's royal ruler, the Bogd Khan. Aside from its beautiful architecture, it boasts a marvelous collection of artifacts from the final years of Khan's life, as well as Mongolia's 1911 declaration of independence.

3. Discover Mongolia's Past at the National Museum of Mongolian History

This museum is Ulan Bator's finest, laying out the country's glorious past - from prehistoric Uyghur cultures to the empire of Genghis Khan. Look out for the Ganlin Horn, a Buddhist instrument made (reportedly) from a human femur bone.

4. Head to the Hustai National Park

Not far from downtown Ulan Bator, the Hustai is one of Asia's finest wildlife preserves and is famous for reintroducing takhi horses to the Mongolian steppes. Tours show off the elegant horses as well as some intriguing Ungut monuments from the 8th century.

5. See the Monuments at Sükhbaatar Square

Dedicated to Mongolia's 1921 revolution, Sükhbaatar is the city's focal point. It's known for its impressive statues, both of the revolutionary leader Sükhbaatar himself, and the great Genghis Khan, while the Mongolian National Modern Art Gallery is on one flank of the square as well.

Where to Eat in Ulaanbaatar

If you want to tuck into Mongolian minced lamb dumplings and thick meat stews, Khara Khorum at the Kempinski is a local favorite, while Luna Blanca provides an unexpected and satisfying vegetarian spin on the nation's cuisine. However, Ulan Bator's dining scene is really diversifying, with excellent northern Indian joints like Namaste, and European cafes like Turning Point, where good food and jazz come together. Meals can be very cheap indeed, costing from MNT6,000 to 10,000 per head.

When to visit Ulaanbaatar

Ulan Bator is a very cold winter destination, so summer is really the optimal time to go. July and August bring the lively Naadam Festival, with its sports and music events, but late May and June, or September and October are appealing times as well, with the steppes at their lushest and generally mild temperatures.

How to Get to Ulaanbaatar

Most visitors arrive at Chinggis Khaan International Airport. Airlines like Air China and Korean Air fly into Ulan Bator from Hong Kong, Seoul, and Beijing, making transfers from the rest of the world fairly easy. Expect taxis from the airport to cost around MNT10,000-15,000.

Ulan Bator is on the Trans-Mongolian Express route, a branch line of the Trans-Siberian Railway. The journey time from Ulan-Ude on the Russian border to Ulan Bator is 15 hours, and the train costs around MNT300,000. The same route also runs from Beijing to Ulan Bator, taking over 24 hours.

Car: Driving from Beijing to Ulan Bator is a long haul (around 700 miles) but it can be done. Take the G6 to Ulanqab, then head through Inner Mongolia via the G55, which becomes the G208.

Bus: There are no direct buses from Beijing to Ulan Bator, although Bjerl Line offers services to Erlien for MNT65,000. From there, you can take trains to the capital.

Airports near Ulaanbaatar

Airlines serving ulaanbaatar, where to stay in ulaanbaatar.

Popular Western-style hotels in Ulan Bator include the Best Western Premier Tuushin Hotel and the Kempinski, but smaller boutique hotels are more fun. Standouts include the Urgoo Hotel, right next to the National Museum, and the Lotus Guesthouse, which offers strong concierge services, plenty of parking, and is partly run by an orphans' charity. Some of the most popular districts to base yourself in include Baga Toirog, a green neighborhood with poplar-lined streets and a diverse dining scene, and Zaisan, a prosperous part of town with excellent eateries and famous for its impressive war memorial to Mongolia's World War Two dead.

Where to stay in popular areas of Ulaanbaatar

Most booked hotels in ulaanbaatar, how to get around ulaanbaatar, public transportation.

Buses run throughout the city but tend to be fairly crowded. There's a flat fare of MNT500 for all journeys, as long as you have a U-money card, which can be purchased at street kiosks.

Official taxis generally charge around MNT1,200 per mile, but be aware that plenty of unaccredited taxis also ply the streets. Companies like Help Cab & Tours provide assistance for foreign visitors booking cabs but charge a premium. Still, their help can sometimes be very handy.

Hire companies in town include Sixt and Drive, and prices start at around MNT100,000 for sedans. If you intend to venture out of the city, a 4x4 vehicle is essential, and expect to pay MNT200,000 for a sturdy model.

The Cost of Living in Ulaanbaatar

Aside from the riches on offer at Naran Tuul Market, Ulan Bator doesn't lack for malls and shopping opportunities. Don't miss the vast State Department Store, which is perfect for snapping up souvenirs. Chingeltei district is another place to look, where Mary & Martha Mongolia offer gorgeous embroidered products and Cashmere House deals in fine cashmere creations.

Supermarkets and Food Stores

NOMIN and Orgil are the major supermarkets in the Mongolian capital, but grocery stores can be found all over, while Mercury Market is a great place to pick up imported delicacies. Prices of some things can be high, as fruit and vegetables tend to be imported, but generally the city is fairly cheap. A gallon of milk should cost around MNT8,000, while 12 eggs will be about MNT3,800.

Ulaanbaatar Travel Guide 2024: Plan a Visit to Mongolia’s Capital City

Everything you need to know about traveling to Ulaanbaatar in 2024 .

• April 9, 2020
• Updated: January 24, 2024

Road Trip to the Reindeer Riders: Winter Adventure Tour

Table of contents.

Through this Ulaanbaatar Travel Guide I hope to share my local’s perspective on what it’s like to visit Mongolia’s capital city.

Having called Ulaanbaatar home for the last five years, I understand it isn’t an easy city to navigate. Street names are written in Cyrillic. Getting a taxi is confusing. The  Mongolian language  is intimidating. I’ve been there!

Keep reading as I share the things you should know to plan the perfect visit to Ulaanbaatar in 2024 .

Plan Your Trip to Ulaanbaatar

With only one international airport in Mongolia, every tourist flies into Chinggis Khaan International Airport.

Ulaanbaatar’s airport  is located located 49 kilometers from Suukhbaatar Square in the city center. Without traffic, it takes 1.5 hours to drive into the city. With traffic, it can take more than 2 hours.

I like this  airport transfer service →

Below I’ve put together some of my other favorite guides to help you start planning your trip.

• 26 Free Things to do in Ulaanbaatar
• Top Places in Ulaanbaatar with Kids
• What to Budget for a Mongolia Trip 2024

Where to Stay in Ulaanbaatar

Now that you’ve made it to Ulaanbaatar, you’ll need somewhere to stay.

The capital has a lot of great options when it comes to hotels, guesthouses, and hostels.

When choosing where you’re going to stay, look at where the hotel is located. Is it walking distance to the things you want to do and see?

Lucky for tourists, Ulaanbaatar is a very walkable city. There aren’t any hills and the streets have nice big sidewalks.

While it’s safe for you to use the tap water to brush your teeth in Ulaanbaatar, I don’t recommend drinking it.

Hotels I Recommend

• Best Hotels in Ulaanbaatar
• Best Guesthouses and Hostels for a Cheap Stay
• Holiday Inn Ulaanbaatar Hotel Reivew
• Shangri-La Ulaanbaatar Hotel Review

• Best Restaurants in Ulaanbaatar

While Ulaanbaatar doesn’t have as many restaurants as a city like Seoul, there are still a lot of great choices. Especially when it comes to international cuisines like Italian, Mexican, Japanese, Uzbek, Russian, Korean, and more.

Vegan and vegetarian restaurants are also becoming very popular in Ulaanbaatar. The city has at least a dozen and counting.

My Favorite Restaurants

• Best Vegan and Vegetarian Restaurants

Tipping in Mongolia

It’s become more common to tip in restaurants, bars, and cafes in Ulaanbaatar in recent years.

For example, I usually leave 10% of my bill’s total as a tip. I always hand this money directly to the server who helped me. It can be considered rude to just leave the money on the table, or worse, it can be easily stolen.

Mongolian Barbecue

That stir fry dish you probably know (and love) as Mongolian Barbecue? Well, I hate to tell you this, but it’s not Mongolian. Not even a little bit.

Mongolian Barbecue was invented by a Chinese comedian living in Taiwan back in the 1950s.

Where to Find Good Coffee in the Capital

In recent years, coffee culture has really taken off in Ulaanbaatar. When before Mongolia was a strictly tea-drinking culture, it’s slowly shifting to be a coffee drinking one. In the capital, at least.

Today, local roasters are bringing in beans from around the world and coffee shops are as cool as ones you’d find in Seoul or New York. Cups of coffee are reasonably priced, usually costing between 5,000 to 10,000 tugrik. That’s equal to $1.50 to $3 USD.

There are no Starbucks in Mongolia. This means small, Mongolian-owned places can thrive.

Below are 10 of my favorite locally-owned coffee shops in Ulaanbaatar .

• Ulaanbaatar Coffee Culture
• Little Heaven
• Jack’s Coffee x Nitro B
• ROC Caffeine Bar
• Kaktus Zone
• Potala Coffee Shop
• Millie’s Espresso
• 630 Café Bar
• Coffee Namu

While there are plenty of local coffee shops to choose from, chains like Coffee Fellows and Tous le Jours are also very good.

Nightlife in Ulaanbaatar

One of the most common questions I get asked about being an expat in Mongolia is about the drinking and nightlife scene. People just have no idea what to expect, and that’s fair. I honestly didn’t either.

What I did discover blew me away.

Ulaanbaatar is a young, lively city with something always going on, especially in the warm, summer months. Locals love to go out and socialize, and they’re always dressed to impress! The dress code for a night out in Ulaanbaatar is usually smart casual meets on trend. This is not a city you’ll want to go out in your hiking boots in!

Whether you’re looking for a chill place to sit outside and have a beer or a night out on the town, Mongolia’s capital city has it all. And I can’t forget karaoke, Mongolians absolutely love it!

Best Cocktail Bars in Ulaanbaatar

Just like coffee culture, Ulaanbaatar’s cocktail scene has really taken off in recent years.

With well-made balanced cocktails becoming the norm, it’s easy to find good drinking bars in Ulaanbaatar. Most cocktail bars have their own menu of specially designed drinks, but you can always order a classic like a negroni. Which is usually my go-to.

These are the places I consider to be the best bars for good cocktails in Ulaanbaatar .

• Bitsy & Co.
• Cantê Bar & Garden
• Fat Cat Jazz Club
• La Rosa Tapas & Tequila
• Sen Izakaya
• Negroni Room

Expect drinks to be priced between 25,000 to 35,00 tugrik, $7.50 to $10.25 USD, at the places above. I promise they’re worth every Mongolian tugrik.

Best Mongolian Beers and Beer Bars

Mongolians aren’t just great beer drinkers, they’re good brewers, too. The best local Mongolian beers are Golden Gobi, Sengur, Chinggis Beer, Niislel, Hops and Rocks, and GEM .

You can usually find these beers on draft or sold by the bottle or can at these beer gardens and restaurants .

• Great Mongol
• MB Beer Plus
• Republik Bar
• UB Street Food
• Cantê Sports Bar
• Revolution Restaurant & Bar
• Evolution Restaurant & Pub

Where to Go Dancing in Ulaanbaatar

You’re going to be surprised to hear this, but Ulaanbaatar has a small but great club scene. You can dance until the early hours of the morning at any of the places on this list.

• CHOCO Metropolis Club
• Cantê Bar & Garden
• 505 el Club

Best Karaoke Bars in Ulaanbaatar

Even if karaoke isn’t your thing, it’s something you have to do when you’re in Ulaanbaatar.

Karoake bars in Mongolia are private room-style and they’re open all night. You pay by the hour for a room and then you purchase a bottle of whatever you’d like to drink. Mongolians usually go for vodka!

These are some of my favorite karaoke bars in Ulaanbaatar.

• Citros Karaoke
• Venice Karaoke

Where to Buy Great Souvenirs in Ulaanbaatar

The best souvenirs to buy when you’re in Mongolia are cashmere, felt goods, Mongolian chocolate, and vodka!

Since Mongolia is one of the biggest exporters of cashmere, you can buy great cashmere products here for a fraction the price. I personally think Gobi Cashmere is the best, but it’s also the most expensive. Other great Mongolian cashmere brands include Goyol, EVSEG, and Khanbogd, and Negun. There are factory stores on the outskirts of the city that have a bigger selection than what you’ll find in the stores in the city, but don’t expect their prices to be discounted.

You can also find gold at a reasonable price in Ulaanbaatar at the Gold Market on Peace Avenue.

No matter what you’re looking for, these shops and places are great for finding souvenirs to take back home with you.

• Martha & Mary
• Tsagaan Alt Wool Shop
• Gobi Cashmere
• State Department Store, 5th Floor
• Peace Avenue Gold Market
• Black Market

Best Museums in Ulaanbaatar

With the new Chinggis Khaan Museum now open, Ulaanbaatar’s museum scene has been getting increasingly better.

The Zanabazar Museum and Choijin Lama Temple Museum are great if you’re interested in learning more about Mongolian Buddhism. The National Museum of Mongolian History is a captivating display of Mongolia through the years, especially in the last half-century. Get lost in the works of Mongolia’s most prolific artists at the Mongolian National Modern Art Gallery. And visit the Bogd Khaan Winter Palace for a look into life as a Great Khaan 100 years ago.

To read more about Ulaanbaatar’s museums, and what to expect when you visit, read my museum guide.

• The Best Museums in Ulaanbaatar

Is Ulaanbaatar Safe?

I get this question all the time. Are Ulaanbaatar and Mongolia as a destination safe?

While I wrote a whole guide on the topic of safety in Mongolia , my short answer to you is, yes. Mongolia is safe and Ulaanbaatar is safe to walk and travel alone in.

Mongolia has one of the lowest crime rates in Asia, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take precautions.

Don’t leave your phone, cash or other valuable items on a table and walk away. Pickpocketing is a problem in tourist areas. Be aware of your surroundings and personal items at all times.

When alcohol is involved, keep in mind that aggressions will elevate much easier and faster. This is when most aggravated assaults happen, but not usually out of nowhere. You can easily avoid most issues here by remaining respectful to locals.

Author: Breanna Wilson

Hi! Sain uu! I’m Breanna, an American travel writer and adventurer living in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia for more than 5 years. I’ve written for and been featured in Condé Nast Traveler, CNN, Forbes, and the New York Times, among others. Read more of my Mongolia travel articles here .

More Mongolia Reading

• 11 Traditional Mongolian Foods To Know
• Gift Ideas for Visiting a Nomadic Family
• Mongolian Language Cheat Sheet

Prepare for your Trip:

• Essential Mongolia Packing List
• 26 Best Books About Mongolia
• 13 Best Hotels in Terelj National Park

I observe that the crime organizations in UB are absolutely the same as elsewhere in Asia, but they’re more obvious because it’ll always be a band of antisocial people connecting through a call center and non-Mongol. This nuisance today is out in Eagle Town, and it’s a band of British-Chinese and Commonwealth organized criminals acting like meth addicts, sending foreign children through these large groups of local kids in the complex, entering the building, staying out of sight, demanding money.

The Best Souvenirs to Buy in Mongolia: Sustainable, Authentic Gifts to Take Home

The Mongolian Snuff Bottle Explained

Live with an Eagle Hunter Family During this Eagle Festival Tour 2024

What is Mongolian Traditional Mounted Archery?

Privacy policy, terms & conditions, join my private travel group on facebook.

Proudly Based in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia © 2024 Meanwhile in Mongolia​

AFFILIATE NOTICE

This website contains links to products and services where I may make a commission when you purchase. This supports the continued upkeep and development of this website. For an explanation on this policy, read my Advertising Policy page .

• Trip Planner
• Private Tours
• Small Group Tours
• Two Capitals
• City Breaks
• Trans-Siberian
• River Cruises
• Russia & Beyond

4-star edition of the private 9-day tour of the Russian capitals

5-star edition fo the private 9-day tour of Moscow & St. Petersburg

13-day in-depth discovery of Moscow, Kazan, and St. Petersburg

7-day tour designed to harness the best of the Venice of the North

11-day private discovery of Moscow, St. Petersburg, and the Golden Ring

Your Russia Getaway

Fill out the short trip survey to receive a personalized itinerary from a destination expert.

• Travel guide
• Before you go
• What to see

Russia Trip Planner

Learn about the dos and the don'ts for your amazing trip to Russia

• Our Partners
• Reservation Policies

Rated 9/10 on the Trustpilot review platform

• My itineraries
• Chat with us
• Trip survey

Groups & Agents

• For Suppliers

+1 (888) 744-6056

• North America : +1 (888) 744-6056
• Oceania and Australia : +61261888118

Ulan Bator, Mongolia

You are here, about ulan bator.

Ulan Bator, meaning "Red Hero," is the capital of Mongolia. With a population of around 1.2 million, it is also the largest city in the country. Since it has only recently begun industrializing, Ulan Bator is a mixture of Mongolian traditionalism, Soviet housing, and purely Eastern aesthetics.

Reasons to travel to Ulan Bator

While the city may seem stark at first, there are numerous treasures waiting for the traveler. As traditionalists, Mongolians love their capital, they understand that it is not an Asian beauty, but in their hearts, they are aware of the city's history, culture, and many struggles.

Foreigners who take the time to get to know the faces that are hidden behind the gray walls will discover hospitable and warm-hearted people. While exploring the city from different angles you will probably get to witness the abject poverty of many of the ex-nomads who in recent years have come to the city to find jobs.

See the Bogd Kahn Museum and experience the beautiful green palace in person while learning about Mongolia's past, many of the collections feature a rare insight into Mongolian history. Two major monasteries - the Choijin Lama Monastery and Gandan Monastery - are top priorities for travelers staying in Ulan Bator.

Both monasteries come complete with museums, artifacts, and the chance to explore the spirituality that prevails in modern Mongolia. The temples themselves represent a purely Asian motif and are a perfect representation of Mongolia's rich cultural heritage.

The Zaisan Memorial celebrates the joining of Russians and Mongols during both major world wars, and its location provides a rich view over the vast cityscape. The International Intellectual Museum can be an enjoyable outing for families looking to explore Mongolian puzzles, games, and toys.

Peace Avenue is the main street that stretches from east to west through the center, it is the main street where you can shop or pop in one of the many restaurants to try the amazing Mongolian cuisine. The street also passes by the southern edge of the central Chinggis Square.

To enhance your Ulan Bator trip , you can also attend one of Ulan Bator's numerous festivals that take place throughout the year. One of the biggest events is Naadam, a sporting event, taking place in July.

Best Things to Do in Ulan Bator

• Touch the country's history in the National Museum of Mongolia
• Stop by and take a couple of photos near the Genghis Khan Statue
• Taste the color of Asia, trying some national delicacies

Top Attractions in Ulan Bator

Translated as the "Great Place of Complete Joy", the Gandan Monastery is a Tibetan monastery with numerous monks.

Trek up to the glacial waters, relax in the hot springs and get a good nights sleep in a yurt deep in the heart of Mongolia.

All Attractions in Ulan Bator

More about ulan bator.

• Call us now
• Request a call
• Chat on WhatsApp
• Start Live chat
• Contact via email

Moscow & St. Petersburg Small Group Tours Private Tour Packages Trans-Siberian Trips Russian River Cruises Moscow Tour Packages St. Petersburg Tours All Russia Tours

Why Travel to Russia Best Time to Visit Russia Russian Visa Information Tips Before Traveling Tips on Arrival Russian Currency Moscow Travel Guide Read More in Our Blog

Hermitage Museum Church of the Savior on Blood The Kremlin Sergiev Posad, Golden Ring Kizhi Island The Red Square Siberia Lake Baikal

Fla. Seller of Travel Ref. No. ST39939 All Rights Reserved © 2024 About Us | Testimonials  | Our Blog  |  Terms of Service  | Privacy Policy