a view of a city with mountains in the background

Ulaanbaatar

Travelers come to Ulaanbaatar for Buddhist monasteries, national museums and a short drive out to the open steppe and national park.

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Ulaanbaatar is Mongolia's capital and largest city, in the north-central part of the country, in the Tuul River valley. It sits about 1,300 to 1,350 meters above sea level, and it is often described as the coldest national capital in the world by average yearly temperature. Bogd Khan Mountain rises about 2,250 meters to the south, a forested, strictly protected area where the ruins of Manjusri Monastery make a popular outing.

The city began in 1639 as a mobile Buddhist monastery town called Örgöö and settled at its present site in 1778. It later sat on the trade route between Russia and China. The main sights include Gandantegchinlen Monastery, Choijin Lama Temple and the National Museum of Mongolia, which covers prehistory through the present. Gorkhi-Terelj National Park is about 70 km away, so a day trip into the countryside fits easily into a few days here. Late April to early October is noticeably warm, and most rain falls from May to September. In January, nights can fall between −36 and −40 °C.

Ulaanbaatar in five

Get a U Money card for busesBuses are the main public transport in Ulaanbaatar, alongside trolleybuses and taxis. The U Money smart card has been used for bus fares since July 2015, so check how to get one before you ride.
Allow extra time for trafficTraffic congestion is severe. Average peak-hour speeds were 8.9 km/h in 2021, and residents spent about 2.5 hours a day in traffic, so leave extra time for trains and flights.Getting around
Set up the UBCab app before you need a rideUnofficial taxis and the UBCab ride-sharing app are both common in the city. Private car owners often offer informal rides, so agree on the fare before you get in.
Pack for nights below −36 °C in winterJanuary nights just before sunrise, with no wind, can fall between −36 and −40 °C because of temperature inversion.
Fly into Chinggis Khaan International AirportThe airport opened on 4 July 2021 and replaced Buyant-Ukhaa International Airport. It is the country's main air hub, with flights to Europe, Asia and domestic provincial centers.Getting around

Things to do in Ulaanbaatar

See all attractions in Ulaanbaatar

Museum · UlaanbaatarBogd Khaan Palace Museum

Museum · UlaanbaatarChoijin Lama Temple Museum

Temple · UlaanbaatarMegjid Janraisig Datsan

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to UlaanbaatarPut the places you like in Ulaanbaatar on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Currency: Tugrik (MNT)
Entry: Visa rules vary by passport; check with Mongolia's immigration authorities before you book
Emergency: 102 police, 101 fire, 103 ambulance
Tipping: Not expected in most places
Time: UTC+8, no daylight saving

Weather by month

Rainy days
Snowy days
Days with storms
Festival

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryPartly cloudy1 rainy dayHigh-16°Low-24°Cold, smoke
FebruaryPartly cloudy1 rainy dayHigh-12°Low-21°Cold, dry
MarchPartly cloudy2 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh-2°Low-11°Cold, dry
AprilClear4 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh6°Low-3°Warming up
MayPartly cloudy6 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh13°Low3°Warm, rain starts
JunePartly cloudy11 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh19°Low10°Warm, rainy
JulyRain14 rainy daysHigh21°Low13°Warm, rainy
AugustRain14 rainy daysHigh18°Low11°Warm, rainy
SeptemberPartly cloudy7 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh13°Low5°Warm, still rainy
OctoberClear4 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh3°Low-5°Cooling down
NovemberPartly cloudy4 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh-7°Low-14°Cold, smoke
DecemberPartly cloudy1 rainy dayHigh-15°Low-22°Coldest, smoke

Average daily high and low in Ulaanbaatar, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Festivals: Jul Naadam

Right now in Ulaanbaatar

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

-8

Feels like: -12°
Humidity: 70%
Wind: 4 km/h
Chance of rain: 0%

Ulaanbaatar

04:36 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+8

Today6°-4°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 6°, Low -4°. Chance of rain 0%.
Wed1°-10°27%Wednesday: Snow. High 1°, Low -10°. Chance of rain 27%.
Thu-4°-14°0%Thursday: Partly cloudy. High -4°, Low -14°. Chance of rain 0%.
Fri-3°-14°0%Friday: Cloudy. High -3°, Low -14°. Chance of rain 0%.
Sat-2°-11°0%Saturday: Cloudy. High -2°, Low -11°. Chance of rain 0%.
Sun4°-10°0%Sunday: Partly cloudy. High 4°, Low -10°. Chance of rain 0%.
Mon10°-6°0%Monday: Partly cloudy. High 10°, Low -6°. Chance of rain 0%.

Updated 01:15 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 3,599 MNT

Amount

Converted to

MNT · Mongolian Tugrik

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

What's on in Ulaanbaatar

Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city

Events calendar

Every year

JulNaadamUlaanbaatar

Day trips by train

Before you go to Ulaanbaatar

eSIM for UlaanbaatarOffline maps and app-based ridesRead the guide

Money and cards for the tripCash, cards and typical costsRead the guide

Insurance for winter tripsCover for cold, falls and delaysRead the guide

Stays in UlaanbaatarHotels and guesthouses in townRead the guide

Rules for Ulaanbaatar, checked

Visa rules depend on your passport. Check entry requirements with Mongolia's official immigration authorities before you book.
Check export rules before you buy fossils, antiques or cultural objects, since Mongolia limits taking them out of the country.

Plan around Ulaanbaatar

All of Mongolia

Regions, entry, transport and money for a Mongolia trip

Read the guide Getting around

Airport, rail, buses, taxis and ride-sharing in the city

Read the guide Money and costs

Typical prices for a bed, meals, transport and sights

Read the guide Visas and entry

Entry requirements to check before you book flights

Read the guide Where to stay

Hotels and guesthouses for a city base or a trip out

Read the guide Phones and eSIM

Data, maps and ride apps for the city and the trails

Read the guide

Ulaanbaatar FAQ

Is Ulaanbaatar worth visiting?

Yes, if you want a capital with active Buddhist monasteries, museums covering prehistory to the present, and easy access to the countryside. Gandantegchinlen Monastery is still active, and Gorkhi-Terelj National Park is about 70 km away.

Is the air in Ulaanbaatar bad in winter?

Yes. Coal stoves in the ger districts and coal power plants cause smoke that often obscures vision. Since 2019 raw coal burning has been banned in the city and coke briquettes are distributed instead, but smoke remained a major winter concern as of 2023.

When is the best time to visit Ulaanbaatar?

June to August are the warmest months. Most of the year's rain falls from May to September, and late April to early October is noticeably warm. Winter is long and very cold.

How many days do you need in Ulaanbaatar?

Two to three days covers Sükhbaatar Square, Gandantegchinlen Monastery, Choijin Lama Temple and one museum. Add a day for Gorkhi-Terelj or the Genghis Khan statue.

What is Naadam in Ulaanbaatar?

Naadam is the yearly festival held at the National Sports Stadium in the city. Check the festival dates before you book.

Is there a train to Ulaanbaatar?

Yes. The Trans-Mongolian Railway crosses the city center and links Ulaanbaatar with Moscow and Beijing. The main station is Ulaanbaatar railway station.