Before we arrived in Ulaanbataar (affectionately known as UB), we often see travellers reviewed the capital city subpar compared to its grasslands.
We beg to differ.
There are so many things in UB that captured our hearts and it deserves an extended stay with the countless exciting activities you can include in your itinerary.
Overview
- Getting to Ulaanbaatar
- Getting Around
- Where to stay?
- Hole-in-the-wall Restaurant
- Gandantegchinlen Monastery
- Choijin Lama Temple Museum
- Narantuul Market
- Zaisan Memorial
- Sukhbaatar Square
- Mongolian Barbecue
- Other Activities
Getting to the City Centre
Airport Transfer
The most convenient way to get to the city centre is by metered taxi – official or private. It should cost about 20,000₮ to 30,000₮ (also depending on the traffic).
If you have time and want to go for the cheapest option, a public bus service from the airport to town is available. The fare is 500₮ but first, you need to have a U-money bus card which cost 3,600₮. Cash is not accepted. The card can be purchased at the U-money kiosk near the bus station. Check out the bus route here.
Train Station Transfer
Once you exit the train station, there are many private drivers who will offer to give you a ride. Agree on a price first before you get on the car. Should cost no more than 8,000₮ from the train station to somewhere around Sukhbaatar Square which is a 15 minutes ride away.
Getting Around
By Private Taxi
One of the things I have learnt about Mongolia is that any car that stops is your Uber and we are totally enjoying the convenience of it. Just wave your hand along the main road and a random car would stop.
Simply show them your destination on Google Maps and monitor the route closely.
Important to know:
- They are able to manually restart the odometer every time they pick up someone so make sure the meter reading is zero when you board.
- The basic fee is 1,000₮ per km, it’s an unspoken rate but it might change so best is to agree on a rate before you set off. The only exception is when there is traffic congestion, they might ask for a little more or you can take the initiative to tip them for their time.
By Buses
The most cost-efficient way of getting around the city. However, the routes information are all in Cyrillic so it would help greatly if you can read.
As mentioned above, all buses do not accept cash on board so if you decided to take public transport most of the time, it’s good to invest in the U-money card. One way trip cost 500₮ and transitting is free within 30 minutes.
Where to stay?
Hostel
If you plan on taking an affordable tour outside of UB, then it would be convenient to stay with hostels that provide such services. We did not book any tours in advance so we booked our first night stay with Sunpath who is also one of the best tour operators in UB. We have written our full itinerary and review on Sunpath here.
Hotels
There is definitely no shortage of luxury hotels in Mongolia with 5 stars hotels occupying the top ranks for the highest building in UB. The most prominent hotel building we see in the city centre is the Blue Sky Hotel & Tower which offers a breathtaking view of UB from their lounge bar.
Airbnb
If you would like a quiet stay in the city, Airbnb prices are comparable to hostels’ and it is easy to find a location that is very close to the city centre for convenience. First time using Airbnb? Get up to US$45 worth of Airbnb credits!
Here’s what to do for 24 hours in Ulaanbaatar
8:00 AM
Breakfast
Explore your neighbourhood! There are many hole-in-the-wall restaurants like this one above serving local food. Not recognising a single word on the menu, we managed to order Khuushuur (fried dumpling) and potato salad by pointing at different tables.
Be reminded that these restaurants are usually very crowded and chaotic as it is for locals to have a quick meal and then get going.
9:00 AM
Gandantegchinlen Monastery
We then arrived in Gendantegchinlen Monastery by foot, 30 minutes from Sukhbaatar Square. This monastery Tibetan name also translates to the “Great Place of Complete Joy” was the only working monastery during the entire communist period. Now has over 500 monks in residence, a 26.5-meter-high statue of Avalokiteśvara covered with precious stones, houses the Mongolian Buddhist University, temples and colleges.
If you go early between 9 to 11 AM, you can witness chanting ceremonies by the monks.
Details:
Entrance fee: 4,000₮
Photography fee: 7,000₮
12:00 PM
Choijin Lama Temple Museum
Built from 1904 to 1908, Choijin Lama Temple is now surrounded by tall and modern buildings. It is one of the best-preserved museums we have been to. Contrary to the historic exterior, it is actually air-conditioned inside the halls.
This place is perfect for art lovers. We had the museum to ourselves while we were there.
Details:
Entrance fee: 8,000₮ (student price: 3,000₮)
Photography fee: 50,000₮
Opening hours: 10 AM – 4.30 PM
Closed on Sunday and Monday
2:00 PM
Narantuul Market
Known as the black market, it is known for selling everything you need under the sky. Good for tourist who wants to wear deel, Mongolian traditional costume. Be prepared to pay 100,000₮ onwards.
It is apparently popular with locals to buy ANYTHING – from furniture, toys, clothing to miscellaneous tools.
Many also warned that this market has a high petty crime rate targeted at tourists. Although we did not feel the extent, it is still good to play safe and take caution like in any markets.
Details:
No entrance fees (Do not pay if anyone demands it from you)
Opening hours: 9 AM – 7 PM
Closed on Tuesday
5:00 PM
Zaisan Memorial
The monument was built by the Russians to commemorate Soviet soldiers fallen in World War II with scenes of friendship between the peoples of the USSR and Mongolia.
If you start from the foot of the hill where it takes more than 600 steps to reach the top. Along the way, one of the tanks used by Soviet Union during the war is displayed.
The views from the top of the Zaisan Monument is one of the highlights in UB including a good view of the Tuul River that flows through the Southern part of the capital city.
We also met an eagle hunter here who uses his eagle for tourism purposes.
7:00 PM
Mongolian Barbecue
Fun fact: Mongolian Barbecue is not actually Mongolian – it was a marketing tactic started by a Taiwanese.
We asked our local guides and it seemed like this type of barbecue is not what locals always go for but one of the things we know about Mongolia is their unique way of grilling meat and vegetables on an enormous, round iron griddle! We went ahead anyway.
Despite having nothing to do with Mongolia, the buffet was enjoyable and delicious. There were lots of choices of vegetables and meat. Most importantly, it is fun to watch the performance of the cooks while waiting for your dish – especially how they crack the egg!
BD’s Mongolian Barbeque
Address: in front of Metromall shopping center, Baga Toiruu, Ulaanbaatar 14201, Mongolia
Google Maps
9:00 PM
Sukhbaatar Square
Sukhbaatar Square also known as Genghis Khan Square is a landmark built at the heart of the UB surrounded by government buildings, banks and post office. A statue of Damdin Sükhbaatar riding his horse still stands right at the centre of the square alongside a huge statue of Genghis Khan, his son and grandson.
The landmark today is used for festivals, ceremonies, photo-taking for weddings and graduation etc. It also has a different charm in the evening where families gather and spend time together.
Ulaanbaatar is definitely worth more than a day with so many other unique activities to include in the itinerary! Some of the things we missed out….
Naadam Festival
If you happened to visit in July, the Naadam Festival is like Mongolian’s Olympic Games that is held yearly. The three sports include wrestling, horse racing, and archery is held at Central Stadium in Ulaanbaatar.
Central Museum of Mongolian Dinosaurs
The small yet compact museum has an impressive display of dinosaur species including one main fossil that was returned from Texas after a lawsuit. It gives a great idea of prehistory in Mongolia with sufficient English descriptions and guides.
Mongolian Opera
A great way to experience Mongolia culture in the National Academic Drama Theatre situated right beside Sukhbaatar Square. The tickets are very affordable and range from US$4-12. You can check out the shows and timings here.
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