Sain baina uu! I’m Takeshi from Tsogto Mongol Horse Riding Tour.
Mongolia’s capital packs a lot into a compact city: a temple with a giant Buddha, a new theatre for traditional music, a vast open-air market and a hilltop memorial looking over the whole valley. Here are nine places I have visited myself and think are worth your time, with the local tips you need to enjoy them safely.
What Is Ulaanbaatar Like?
Ulaanbaatar is home to around half of Mongolia’s population. The city sits at about 1,300 m above sea level, surrounded by mountains. It was once known as Urga or Khüree, and today traditional temples stand next to brand-new tower blocks.
- Climate: continental and very dry (under 300 mm of rain a year). It is often called the coldest capital in the world — the average temperature in January is around −20°C.
- Day and night: even in summer the temperature swings a lot during the day. Bring sun protection, and a mask or scarf helps with the dry air.
- Safety: things have improved in recent years, but pickpockets are still around. I have heard of a phone being taken from a back pocket at a bus stop. Keep valuables in front of you — more in Is Mongolia safe?
9 Places to Visit in Ulaanbaatar
1. Sükhbaatar Square
The square at the heart of the city. Behind it stands the Government Palace with a large seated statue of Chinggis Khaan. The chains around the statue of Sükhbaatar in the middle are a classic spot for couples to sit and chat. The square was renamed Chinggis Square for a few years and has since gone back to its original name.
Taxi tip: the Mongolian name (Sükhbaataryn talbai) is hard to pronounce — saying “Sükhbaatar Square” in English usually works better.
- Mongolian: Сүхбаатарын талбай
- Map: Google Maps
2. National Museum of Mongolia
Right next to Sükhbaatar Square, this is the country’s main history museum, with around 50,000 items from the Stone Age to the present day. If you want to understand Mongolian culture, start here. My favourite part is the display of deel (traditional robes) from each ethnic group — the small differences between them are fascinating.
- Address: Juulchin Street 1, Ulaanbaatar
- Phone: +976 7011 0911
- Website: nationalmuseum.mn
- Hours: longer in summer, shorter (and closed some days) in winter — check the website before you go.
3. State Department Store (Nomin)
If you need souvenirs, you can find almost everything here: food on the ground floor, quality cashmere, Erdenet carpets, and souvenirs, traditional clothing and books on the upper floors. Cards are accepted.
The streets around the store can be busy with pickpockets. I once had someone follow me closely from behind and go for my bag, so keep yours zipped and in front of you. What to buy: 10 Mongolian souvenirs people actually loved.
- Mongolian: Их дэлгүүр (Ikh Delgüür)
- Address: Peace Avenue 42, Ulaanbaatar
- Hours: daily, 8:30–22:00 at the time of writing
4. Gandan Monastery
The centre of Buddhism in Mongolia. The main temple houses a standing Buddha (Migjid Janraisig) about 26.5 m tall — it is enormous when you step inside.
- Follow what local worshippers do. Take your hat off inside, walk around clockwise, and when you leave, step backwards out of the hall so you don’t turn your back on the Buddha.
- The courtyard is full of pigeons, and you will see women selling bird seed.
- If you have time, look around the shops selling Buddhist goods near the temple.
- Around 9 am you can sometimes see the monks file into the halls together (not every day).
- Admission was 20,000 MNT, cash only, in July 2025.
- Mongolian: Гандантэгчэнлин хийд
- Phone: +976 11 36 0354
- Website: gandan.mn
- Hours: 9:00–17:00
5. Hun Theatre
Hun means “person” in Mongolian. This theatre opened in 2023, and it is now my first recommendation for a traditional show. In about an hour you see one act after another: a singer switching between three styles of throat singing (khöömii), Mongolian rock played with throat singing, and acrobatics that keep you on the edge of your seat. I have been twice with our guests and would happily go again.
- Ticket: 50,000 MNT (2025)
- Show: about one hour from 17:00, daily from June. It may close in winter, so ask before you go.
- Address: Sky Resort area, Ulaanbaatar
- Phone: +976 9916 2251
Prefer a classic? Tumen Ekh Ensemble has staged an hour-long overview of Mongolian music and dance for many years (daily 18:00–19:00 from 1 May to 1 November; 60,000 MNT, plus a fee if you want to take photos or video, in July 2025). When I saw it, the throat singer painted whole landscapes with his voice alone. Honestly, both shows hit harder after you have seen the steppe — the more you know Mongolia, the more the music makes sense.
6. Narantuul Market
A huge open-air market that seems to sell everything: daily goods and food, but also gers, beds, horse tack, armour and swords. It is a great place for unusual souvenirs.
It has become safer since around 2017, but pickpockets still target tourists:
- Don’t talk loudly in a foreign language, and don’t walk around with a big camera out.
- Amateur pickpockets are easy to spot; professional ones work in groups and box you in so you can’t move.
- Keep looking around. If more people are watching you than the goods, move somewhere else.
- Leave valuables at your hotel or in the car.
- Hours: 9:00–19:00, closed on Tuesdays
- Map: Google Maps
7. Zaisan Memorial
A Soviet-era memorial on a hill south of the centre, honouring the soldiers of the Second World War. A torch stands in the middle, surrounded by a concrete ring decorated with a huge mosaic. Climb the long staircase and the whole city spreads out below you — the night view is beautiful too, if you have time. Entry is free and it is open around the clock. The area around the hill is now an upmarket residential district.
- Mongolian: Зайсан толгой (Zaisan Tolgoi)
- Map: Google Maps
8. Mercury Food Market
A market for imported and high-quality food. At the back, freshly butchered mutton hangs up and is sold by the piece. Prices are a little higher than at other markets, but the quality is good. You will find everything from pork, big salmon fillets and Asian ingredients to Australian cream cheese, Mongolian rock salt, smoked beef and mutton tongue, caviar and Russian smoked cheese.
- Hours: 10:00–18:00, closed on Mondays
9. Central Museum of Mongolian Dinosaurs
Displays dinosaur fossils excavated in Mongolia. It is not a big museum and there aren’t many exhibits, but what is there is impressive — and a good pick for families.
- Phone: +976 7000 0171
- Website: dinosaurmuseum.mn
- Hours: Mon–Fri 10:00–19:00, Sat–Sun 10:00–18:00
Planning Your Time in the City
Opening hours and prices change often in Ulaanbaatar, so please check before you go. Most of these places fit into one or two days. For sample plans, see how many days you need in Ulaanbaatar, and for getting in from the airport, Ulaanbaatar airport to city.
Many of our guests spend a day or two in the city before or after riding. Our English-guided horse treks can pick you up from your hotel in downtown Ulaanbaatar. Questions? Contact us any time.
