Mongolia · Region
Ulaanbaatar
Ulaanbaatar is a city of jarring contrasts: glass towers and Soviet-era apartment blocks ring a valley where gers still cluster on the hillsides, and the world's biggest Genghis Khan statue stands just an hour's drive away on the open steppe. As the coldest capital on earth and the gateway to the Gobi Desert and nomadic heartland beyond, it works less as a destination in itself and more as the hinge between modern Mongolia and the wilderness that surrounds it.
Top attractions
attraction Chinggis Khaan National Museum Mongolia: Ulaanbaatar Travel Guide
The Chinggis Khaan National Museum Mongolia sits on Sambuu Street in central Ulaanbaatar, a short walk north-west of Sükhbaatar Square, and is the city's big museum of the steppe empires and the Mongol Empire. 4.5★ (1,900 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.
attraction Gandantegchinlen Monastery: Ulaanbaatar Travel Guide (4.4★)
Gandantegchinlen Monastery (Gandan) sits on a low hill in Ulaanbaatar's Bayangol district, about 2km west of Sükhbaatar Square, and its main draw is the 25-metre gilded Megjid Janraisig statue. 4.4★ (3,587 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.
attraction Choijin Lama Temple Museum: Ulaanbaatar Travel Guide (4.4★)
Choijin Lama Temple Museum is on Genden St in central Ulaanbaatar's Sükhbaatar district, a few minutes' walk south of Sükhbaatar Square. 4.4★ (867 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.
attraction National Museum of Mongolia: Ulaanbaatar Travel Guide (4.4★)
The National Museum of Mongolia stands on Travel Street (Juulchin Street) in central Ulaanbaatar, about a block from the northwest corner of Sükhbaatar Square. 4.4★ (1,693 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.
attraction Sükhbaatar Square: Ulaanbaatar Travel Guide (4.6★)
Sükhbaatar Square is the main public square of central Ulaanbaatar, set on Peace Avenue between the Government Palace and the State Opera and Ballet Theatre. 4.6★ (972 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.
Hidden gems
hidden gem Manzushir Monastery: Ulaanbaatar Travel Guide (4.6★)
Manzushir Monastery is a ruined 18th-century Buddhist monastery on the southern slope of Bogd Khan Uul, a short drive above Zuunmod and roughly 45 km south of central Ulaanbaatar. 4.6★ (467 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.
hidden gem Zanabazar Museum of Fine Arts: Ulaanbaatar Travel Guide
The Zanabazar Museum of Fine Arts in central Ulaanbaatar sits a short walk west of Sükhbaatar Square. 4.4★ (480 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.
Top-rated things to do in Ulaanbaatar
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Where to stay in Ulaanbaatar
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Frequently asked questions about Ulaanbaatar
How do I get to Ulaanbaatar?
Most travellers fly into Chinggis Khaan International Airport (UBN), Mongolia's main international gateway, located around 50km south of the city centre, with transfers into town taking roughly 1 hour. Overland arrivals typically come via the Trans-Mongolian Railway, which calls at Ulaanbaatar's central railway station on routes linking Moscow, Beijing and the Russian and Chinese border crossings.
How many days should I spend in Ulaanbaatar?
Budget ~2-3 days to cover the main sights: Sukhbaatar Square, the Gandan Monastery, the national museums and a half-day trip out to the Genghis Khan Statue Complex, before heading further afield into the countryside.
What is Ulaanbaatar known for?
Ulaanbaatar is a city of jarring contrasts: glass towers and Soviet-era apartment blocks ring a valley where gers still cluster on the hillsides, and the world's biggest Genghis Khan statue stands just an hour's drive away on the open steppe. As the coldest capital on earth and the gateway to the Gobi Desert and nomadic heartland beyond, it works less as a destination in itself and more as the hinge between modern Mongolia and the wilderness that surrounds it.