Gandantegchinlen Monastery
The city's main working Buddhist monastery, with temples, prayer wheels and a very tall gilded statue of Avalokiteshvara. Monks pray in the halls, and visitors dress modestly and ask before taking photographs.
Ulaanbaatar
Travellers arrive in this capital and can visit Sukhbaatar Square, the National Museum and Gandan Monastery prior to leaving for the countryside.
Attractive locations
Sükhbaatar Square
Central square of the capital, with a large seated statue of Chinggis Khaan in front of the government building. Museums, theatres and cafes lie close, and the square hosts festivals and events.
Choijin Lama Temple Museum
Temple complex from the early twentieth century, now a museum, built for a state oracle. Its halls hold masks, thangka paintings and sculptures, and the buildings show traditional Mongolian and Tibetan styles.
National Museum of Mongolia
Main museum of the country's history, from early peoples and the Mongol Empire to modern times. Exhibits include clothing, tools, horse gear and a good introduction to nomadic life.
Zaisan Memorial
Memorial on a hill south of the city centre, built to honour Soviet soldiers. Its painted panels and the steps up to the monument lead to wide views over the capital and the valley.
Winter Palace of the Bogd Khan
The former home of Mongolia's last religious ruler, the Bogd Khan, now a museum. It holds his ornate rooms, robes, gifts and Buddhist art in a compound of temples.
Bogd Khan Mountain
A forested mountain south of the city and one of the world's oldest protected areas. Trails lead up through woods and rocky slopes, with views back over Ulaanbaatar.
Airports
Ulaanbaatar Chinggis Khaan International Airport UBN
It is about 31 km in a straight line from Ulaanbaatar.
Scams and safe taxis
Taxi and scam advice for this country is on the Mongolia page
Weather by month
Each month shows its average temperature in °C and its mm of rain per month.
- Jan-21.0 °C3 mm
- Feb-17.9 °C4 mm
- Mar-8.9 °C6 mm
- Apr0.5 °C10 mm
- May7.3 °C29 mm
- Jun14.8 °C48 mm
- Jul17.3 °C68 mm
- Aug14.7 °C61 mm
- Sep7.8 °C25 mm
- Oct-1.3 °C11 mm
- Nov-11.5 °C8 mm
- Dec-19.0 °C4 mm
Driest months: Jan, Feb, Dec. Wettest months: Jun, Jul, Aug.
Costs
Prices here are about 34% of US prices (World Bank, 2025). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.
Festivals and events
culture
Tsagaan Sar (Lunar New Year)
Many places stay shut for several days during this family holiday for the new year.
culture
Naadam Festival
This is Mongolia's biggest festival, with archery, horse racing and wrestling.
culture
Tsagaan Sar (Lunar New Year)
Many places stay shut for several days during this family holiday for the new year.
Who can help
Emergency
Police 102. Fire 101. Ambulance 103.
local government
Mongolia tourist hotline (Government of Mongolia tourism site)
Helps with: The government's official tourism site lists a tourist hotline, along with police 102, ambulance 103 and fire 101.
Who qualifies: Tourists and other visitors in Mongolia.
Phone: +976 1900 1234
local government
National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)
Helps with: Mongolia's national emergency management agency. Its contact page lists emergency calls 101 and 105 and an office line and email for other enquiries.
Who qualifies: Anyone in Mongolia affected by an emergency or disaster.
Phone: 51-263581
Email: info@nema.gov.mn
Address: 6th khoroo, Sukhbaatar District, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
ngo
Mongolian Red Cross Society
Helps with: Mongolia's national Red Cross society. It runs first aid courses, disaster preparedness training, volunteer programmes and blood donation work.
Who qualifies: People in Mongolia who need its first aid, disaster or community services.
Phone: +976 77770508
Email: info@redcross.mn
Address: Peace Avenue (Enkhtaivan Street), Red Cross head office building, Sukhbaatar District, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
un agency
International Organization for Migration (IOM) Mongolia
Helps with: The UN migration agency, with an office in Ulaanbaatar since 2011. It supports migration management, research and anti-trafficking training.
Who qualifies: Migrants and the government bodies that serve them. It is not a help service for ordinary tourists.
Phone: +976 7014 3100
Address: United Nations House, Room 207, United Nations Street 12, Sukhbaatar District, 14201 Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
local government
Police emergency number 102
Helps with: Reaches the police, including traffic police. UK government travel advice lists this number.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors.
Phone: 102
local government
Ambulance emergency number 103
Helps with: Reaches the ambulance service. UK government travel advice lists this number.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors.
Phone: 103
local government
Fire emergency number 101
Helps with: Reaches the fire service. UK government travel advice lists this number.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors.
Phone: 101