Ulaanbaatar City Travel Guide: Mongolian Greatness

Ulaanbaatar (aka Ulan Bator), Mongolia is one of the most underrated Asian cities, but I was lucky enough to spend a month there and discover its true greatness. Now I’m here to return the favor and tell you everything you need to know about Mongolia’s capital in this in-depth travel guide.

The city is a fascinating clash of Soviet-era architecture (which, I have to admit, I am not a huge fan of) and modern nomadism.

You might not want to base up here for a whole year, as there’s not that much to do, but a two to four week stay gives you plenty of time to explore and enjoy.

I definitely did.

So here’s a quick breakdown of this unique place.

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia: Quick Facts

Population: Roughly 1.5 million people. Nearly half of the country lives in Ulaanbaatar, which is also the capital.

Weather: Cold. Really, really cold. Below freezing is fairly common here. I only suggest visiting this city during the months of May through September.

With close proximity to Russia, the winters here are brutal. June and July are typically great months for travel as the weather is much better.

Safety: Fighting is beyond common, especially when Mongolians are drunk. However, you won’t have much else to worry about here. Murders and armed robbery are beyond rare.

And if you practice common sense and don’t do any crazy or stupid things, chances of getting into a fight are minimal.

I’m talking about males fighting here – women are on the safer side, at least from this point of view, as I never saw women fighting in Mongolia. By the way, if you are a man interested in the dating scene, I recommend learning more about Mongolian women here.

Arrival, Getting Around & Where to Stay

The only viable option to get here is by plane via the recently opened Chinggis Khaan International Airport, which makes flying a lot smoother than before.

As of 2026, Mongolia has expanded its visa-free entry policies, allowing citizens from over 60 countries to visit without a need for a visa, with durations between 30-90 days, which are more than enough for most.

As for where to stay, both hotels and apartments are still affordable and plenty. I would recommend booking your stay in advance to snatch the best deals possible. Here are my recommended places, all of them in good locations (central and semi-central):

• GUM University Apartment – for the travelers on a VERY tight budget. Amazing quality for the price (but don’t expect 4-star conditions or service here!)
• Tanan Center Serviced Apartments – a great option, offering solid price/value ratio and still extremely affordable. A serviced apartment is perfect for longer stays.
• Novotel Ulaanbaatar – despite its 5-star rating, this hotel is affordable by Western standards and gives you the peace of mind you get from an internationally-known brand.

For more hotel recommendations and my favorite places to stay when traveling, check out the article about the most unique hotels in Iceland.

Ulaanbaatar Travel Tips & Information

MUSTS: If you’re traveling through Mongolia, you absolutely must spend one night in a yurt or ger.

Just get on Airbnb and look for one to rent for a night. There are many just outside of Ulaanbaatar that offer a unique cultural experience and are fairly cheap. Just don’t make them your main accommodation method – stick to my recommended hotels or apartments above, as yurt living long-term is not as fun (plus, most are far away from the city center).

I wouldn’t personally spend my entire trip in one, but a single night under the stars is truly worth it.

Rental Prices: Ulaanbaatar apartment rentals and hotel rooms are fairly cheap, as you can see with all the recommended ones above.

You can find a one-bedroom in the city center between $500-900 for a month on Airbnb on Booking in the summer, while nightly rates vary a lot, from $20 per night in a hostel or dorm-like apartment, to $100+ per night in a luxury place.

Important Sights and Culture

Walking the streets of Ulaanbaatar in the central area is a must if you want to truly understand this city. While multiple days are required to explore everything, here’s what I recommend if you only have one day:

Start your morning at Sukhbaatar Square – this is the heart of the city, dominated by the massive bronze monument of Genghis Khan and surrounded by government buildings and various other attractions nearby (including museums and beautiful parks).

I loved starting my day there with a coffee from a nearby place (there are plenty coffee shops with tasty coffee) and wake up together with the city.

From there, make your way to the Gandantegchinlen Monastery. It survived the purges of the 1930s and remains a massive center for Mongolian Buddhism.

Then, you can continue down south and hike up to the Zaisan Monument remembering the soldiers lost during the WWII. It also offers amazing, panoramic views over the city, but I recommend taking a taxi there (and back), as it’s far away from the city center.

Also, make sure to get back to the central area and try some Mongolian food at one of the local restaurants there.

And if you want to learn more, I recommend checking out my previous article talking about Mongolian culture – because there’s a lot more than Genghis Khan! Speaking of which…

A Taste of Ulaanbaatar

Traditional Mongolian food is heavy on meat and dairy, which is how they ate on the dry steppe lands for centuries – probably even millenia.

Getting into specific recommendations, I absolutely loved buuz, which are steamed dumplings filled with mutton or beef.

Khuushuur is another local favorite, which can become yours too, consisting of deep-fried meat pies. Keep in mind that these are very heavy, and you should pair them with a traditional airag (fermented mare milk).

If traditional Mongolian foods are not your thing (there’s a lot more to try than my two favorites above!), Ulaanbaatar has plenty of modern restaurants with food from all over the world, especially Korean barbecue, Japanese fusion, and other Asian delights (but also European cafes and food places).

Nightlife in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

If you want to party, know that the Ulaanbaatar nightlife is surprisingly active and interesting. But make sure to practice common sense when there, especially if you are a single male.

As I mentioned earlier, hitting on the wrong girl at the wrong time could definitely result in fights with protective Mongolian guys.

You can still meet some fine girls in Mongolia at night – but it takes a little more tact than in other Asian countries, where men can be more laid back.

I checked out the local scene and lived to tell the tale, so it’s not that bad. Just be cautios. Here are a few spots I highly recommend for grabbing a drink and meeting locals:

• Great Khan Irish Bar: This should be your start to nearly every night out in Ulaanbaatar. This should be your start to nearly every night out. The place is enormous and very welcoming to foreigners. The location is completely central and convenient. I was quite a fan, as this is my favorite bar in the city.
• New Mass Club
• Face Club
• Metropolis
• Price of a Beer: $3-7, depending on the venue.

Escaping the City: Best Day Trips from Ulaanbaatar

If you want the true Mongolian experience, you must get out of the capital every now and then. I recommend staying away from DIY excursions and choosing organized ones instead for the added safety (of mind, mostly).

The best day trip from Ulaanbaatar is this one to the Gorkhi-Terelj National Park.

The landscape shifts dramatically into sweeping valleys and massive rock formations. You can ride a camel, visit nomadic families, see the famous Turtle Rock and the giant Genghis Khan Equestrian Statue.

The latter is the largest equestrian statue in the world, and climbing up to the horse’s head gives you an incredible view.

If you have time, I also recommend taking a Gandan monastery and Hustai National park-all inclusive tour.

This one is equally amazing, including entry tickets, lunch, and bottled water. During your trip, you will visit the Gandan monastery (the largest in the country), the Hustai National Park and see the Przewalski’s horse, the last remaining wild horse species. The scenery is also breathtaking, from grasslands to sand dunes.

More Information About Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Language Barrier: There is a language barrier, but no one expects you to speak Mongolian as a Westerner.

Maybe learn “hello” or “please” and “thank you” if you plan to stay more than a month. I didn’t, but most of the people I met knew at least some English. So don’t worry about it.

Work Available?: Yes, there is a little (including English teachers), but I wouldn’t recommend looking for it. You really don’t want to live here in the winters. It’s just not worth it, unless you really dig cold weather.

Solo Traveler Budget Needed: $1,400 – $2,100 a month

Also read: Travel Guide to Almaty, Kazakhstan

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia – Conclusion

I had a great time in the city for the month I spent there, but I was ready to head out after that. While the city itself is really nice and offers a lot – it wasn’t a city that ticked with me.

The city is a lot of fun for 1-4 weeks, but not a place to base yourself long term imho. The one fun part of living in Ulaanbaatar is that there aren’t many foreigners around, so the spot feels off the beaten path.

Stay safe, respect the local culture, and enjoy the ride!