Ulaanbaatar Travelers Recommend

With two days in Ulaanbaatar, there’s enough time to explore the main attractions of the city and get outside and see one of the nearby national parks, reknowned for their scenic beauty, wildlife, and outdoor activities. Here's how to make the most of 48 hours in Ulaanbaatar.

Day 1: Visit a National Park

Morning: Head out to Gorkhi-Terelj National Park, known for its picturesque alpine scenery and being easily accessible from Ulaanbaatar. On the way, stop at the Genghis Khan Statue Complex to enjoy sweeping views. To see more wildlife, and in particular the tahki, or wild horses, head to Hustai National Park instead.

Afternoon: Horseback riding has a long tradition in Mongolia, and visitors can saddle up at most parks. Or, explore in a vehicle, take a hike, ride a camel, or enjoy other outdoor activities such as swimming or rock climbing in summer or cross-country skiing in winter.

Night: To best experience the parks, and get a taste of the traditional nomadic lifestyle, visitors should spend a night in a yurt or ger, either in a camp or with a nomadic family. Spending the night in the park also affords a better opportunity to see wildlife, many of which are best spotted around dusk or dawn.

Day 2: Explore Ulaanbaatar

Morning: Head back to Ulaanbaatar and then to Gandantegchenling Monastery. An important and active monastery, it’s also home to one of the most important Buddhist statues in Mongolia. Afterward, learn about Mongolian history from the vast collection at the National Museum of Mongolia. Alternatives include the Bogd Khan Palace Museum and the Choijin Lama Temple Museum.

Afternoon: Visit Sukhbaatar Square, the main square in Ulaanbaatar, and its massive bronze Chinggis (Genghis) Khaan Monument. Enjoy lofty and expansive views at the Zaisan Memorial, and then go shopping for cashmere products and souvenirs at the Naran Tuul Black Market, State Department Store Shop, or specialty shops along Chinggis Avenue.

Night: Experience traditional Mongolian art forms, such as khoomei throat singing, folk song and dance, acrobatics, and contortion at a cultural or folk performance, a popular visitor attraction. Afterwards, sample local dishes, such as dumplings ( buuz ) and fried noodles ( tsuivan ), and local drinks such as fermented milk of mare ( airag ).

Three days in Ulaanbaatar gives you enough time to explore the city’s highlights, including temples and museums, experience the local culture, and get outside the city to explore a scenic national park and enjoy outdoor activities. Here’s how to make the most of three days in Ulaanbaatar.

Day 1: Temples and Museums

Start the morning off at Gandantegchenling Monastery to see monks chanting. Explore the vast complex of temples at the city’s main Buddhist center. Afterwards, explore the winter palace of the last king of Mongolia, the Bogd Khan Palace Museum, which combines a European-style palace with Chinese-style pagodas and a museum.

Spend the afternoon soaking up the history of Mongolia at the National Museum of Mongolia, perusing its massive collection of artifacts from the Neolithic era to present day. Other popular museums include Choijin Lama Temple Museum, Zanabazar Museum of Fine Art, and Central Museum of Mongolian Dinosaurs.

Go shopping for souvenirs and cashmere products. Popular shops and markets can be found along Chinggis Avenue, in the Naran Tuul Black Market, and at the State Department Store Shop. End the day sampling local cuisine and getting a taste of Ulaanbaatar’s vibrant nightlife.

Day 2: Explore a National Park

To get a different perspective, head out to one of the national parks near Ulaanbaatar. Gorkhi Terelj National Park is one of the most popular parks, and it's easily accessible from the city. On the way, stop at the massive Genghis Khan Statue Complex, which offers sweeping views from one of the largest equestrian statues in the world. Animal lovers may want to head to the Hustai National Park, instead, for the chance to see the takhi, or wild horses, among other wildlife.

Spend the afternoon looking for wildlife or engaged in a range of outdoor activities, such as horseback riding, camel riding, or hiking. Or cover more ground by driving around and taking in the scenery. Spend the night in a yurt or ger tent to get a taste of nomadic life in Mongolia. Tourist ger camps are available in most parks. For a more authentic experience, stay overnight with a nomadic family.

Day 3: Experience the Culture

Head back to Ulaanbaatar and spend the morning sampling local dishes on a food tour or taking a cooking class. Learn to make local favorites such as dumplings (buuz) from a nomadic family in their ger or at a restaurant.

Head to the south of Ulaanbaatar for lofty views from Zaisan Memorial before heading to the centrally located Sukhbaatar Square, surrounded by important government buildings. Admire the massive Chinggis (Genghis) Khaan Monument and statues of other important Mongolian heroes. Afterwards, join a guided tour of the ger districts to see a different side of the city, and learn more about how many of the locals live.

For your final night in Ulaanbaatar, take in a cultural or folk performance. See traditional art forms on the display in the form of music, dancing, the unique khoomei throat singing, contortions, and acrobatics.

One day in Ulaanbaatar is enough time to experience several of the top attractions in the city. From monasteries to museums to markets, here’s how to make the most of just one day in the capital city of Mongolia.

Morning: Museums and Temples

Start by watching monks chant at Gandantegchenling Monastery, the city’s main Buddhist center. Explore the vast complex, home to multiple temples and one of the most famous Buddhist statues in the country. If you have a particular interest in Buddhism, stop by Dashchoilin Monastery too. Otherwise, head to the National Museum of Mongolia, home to a fine collection of Mongolian artifacts. Alternatively, visit the Zanabazar Museum of Fine Art or the Choijin Lama Temple Museum. Wrap up the morning exploring the palaces, temples, and museums at the Bogd Khan Palace Museum, the winter palace of the last king of Mongolia.

Afternoon: City Views and Shopping

Enjoy views of the city from Zaisan Memorial, atop a hill. Afterward, head to Sukhbaatar Square, surrounded by important government buildings. It also features a massive, bronze monument of Chinggis (better known as Genghis) Khaan, along with other Mongolian heroes. Next, go shopping for cashmere and felt products at the State Department Store Shop or the specialty shops along Chinggis Avenue. For a more local experience, opt for the Naran Tuul Market, known as the Black Market, selling everything from horse saddles to traditional Mongolian clothing. To see a different side of Ulaanbaatar, opt for a tour of the ger residential districts.

Night: Experience the Culture

Wrap up your full day of sightseeing with a cultural performance. Choose from a number of shows, which typically feature traditional folk song and dance, khoomei throat singing, contortion, and acrobatics. For dinner, sample Mongolian dishes, such as dumplings ( buuz ); deep fried mutton ( khuushuur ), and traditional roast ( boodo g), and wash it all down with some fermented milk of mare ( airag ) or vodka. Those with more energy can dive into Ulaanbaatar’s energetic nightlife scene.