brown horse on green grass field during daytime
A group of people riding on the backs of horses
people standing on brown field during daytime
a yurt in a field with mountains in the background
people on green grass field near mountain during daytime
Photo by Suvd Baatar on Unsplash

Holiday in Ulaanbaatar

City in Mongolei — tips, highlights & best time to visit

Country

Mongolei

Type

City

Best time to travel

June to September — short, warm summer (15-25°C). July: Naadam Festival with wrestling, horse racing, archery.

Budget/day

Getting there from Germany

Flight from Frankfurt to Ulaanbaatar (UBN) via Istanbul, Seoul, or Moscow, approx. 10-14 hours. Also Trans-Siberian Railway.

What makes Ulaanbaatar special as a destination?

Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, is the coldest capital in the world and the gateway to the endless Mongolian steppe. Almost half of the 3.3 million residents of Mongolia live in this city, which offers a fascinating contrast between nomadic tradition and Soviet architecture. On the outskirts of the city, ger districts (yurt settlements) stand alongside glass towers. Sükhbaatar Square, with its monumental Genghis Khan statue, is the heart of the city. The Gandantegchinlen Monastery, with its 26-meter tall gilded Buddha statue, is the most significant Buddhist center in the country. The National Museum tells the story from the Huns through Genghis Khan to modern times. Ulaanbaatar is the starting point for unforgettable adventures: overnight stays in nomadic yurts, horseback riding through the steppe, Terelj National Park, and the Gobi Desert.

Adventure
95
Nature
90
Urban
85
Culture
80
Safety
60

What are the top highlights in Ulaanbaatar?

The top highlights in Ulaanbaatar include Sükhbaatar Square, Gandantegchinlen Monastery, Terelj National Park, Genghis Khan Equestrian Statue, National Museum.

The places you absolutely must not miss.

1

Sükhbaatar Square

Central square with the monumental Genghis Khan Memorial and the Parliament building — Mongolia's power center.

2

Gandantegchinlen Monastery

Active Buddhist monastery with a 26m tall gilded Avalokiteshvara statue — the spiritual heart of Mongolia.

3

Terelj National Park

Only 1 hour away: granite rocks, green valleys, nomadic families, and yurt overnight stays.

4

Genghis Khan Equestrian Statue

40m tall stainless steel statue of the conqueror — 54 km east with a museum and observation platform on the horse's head.

5

National Museum

From the dinosaur fossils of the Gobi to Genghis Khan to the nomads — a compact history of Mongolia.

Hotels in Ulaanbaatar

Compare thousands of hotels, apartments and resorts on Expedia – with price guarantee, free cancellation and reward points.

Over 700,000 hotels
Free cancellation
Price guarantee
Compare hotels in Ulaanbaatar

* You will be redirected to Expedia.de. Their terms of use apply.

Reise-SIM für Ulaanbaatar

Günstig surfen im Urlaub mit travSIM

Pauschalreisen & Rundreisen

Berge & Meer – 170 Tage Cookie

When is the best time to visit Ulaanbaatar?

The best time to visit Ulaanbaatar is June to September — short, warm summer (15-25°C). July: Naadam Festival with wrestling, horse racing, archery.. 15-27°C, short and warm In winter: -20 to -35°C, extremely cold

Recommended travel time

June to September — short, warm summer (15-25°C). July: Naadam Festival with wrestling, horse racing, archery.

Summer

15-27°C, short and warm

Winter

-20 to -35°C, extremely cold

How much does a holiday in Ulaanbaatar cost?

Budget travellers: 20-35 €/day, mid-range: /day, luxury: 90-200 €/day.

Average costs per person per day

Budget

20-35 €

Hostel, Street food, Public transport

Mid-range

Hotel, Restaurant, Excursions

Luxury

90-200 €

Boutique hotel, Fine dining

How do I get from Germany to Ulaanbaatar?

Flight from Frankfurt to Ulaanbaatar (UBN) via Istanbul, Seoul, or Moscow, approx. 10-14 hours. Also Trans-Siberian Railway.

Book a package holiday to Ulaanbaatar

Compare thousands of package holidays to Ulaanbaatar and find the best deals with flight & hotel.

Compare package holidays now

What travel tips are there for Ulaanbaatar?

Insider knowledge that makes your holiday better.

Naadam Festival (July): The 'Festival of Three Manly Games' with wrestling, horse racing, and archery is THE highlight — book tickets early.

Yurt overnight stay: Plan at least one night in a ger camp in the steppe — an unforgettable experience under the starry sky.

Winter cold: In winter, temperatures drop to -35°C — travel only with professional equipment.

Trans-Siberian Railway: The Trans-Mongolian route Moscow-Ulaanbaatar-Beijing is one of the most legendary train journeys in the world.

What should you eat in Ulaanbaatar?

Typical specialities in Ulaanbaatar: Buuz — Steamed dumplings filled with mutton — Mongolia's national dish, especially during Tsagaan Sar (New Year)., Khuushuur — Fried dumplings with meat filling — the most popular street snack, especially during the Naadam Festival., Tsuivan — Handmade noodles with mutton and vegetables — hearty Mongolian comfort food., Airag — Fermented mare's milk — the traditional drink of the nomads, slightly alcoholic and an acquired taste., Süütei Tsai — Salty milk tea with butter — drunk throughout the day and served to guests as a gesture of welcome..

These specialties you must try!

Buuz — Steamed dumplings filled with mutton — Mongolia's national dish, especially during Tsagaan Sar (New Year).
Khuushuur — Fried dumplings with meat filling — the most popular street snack, especially during the Naadam Festival.
Tsuivan — Handmade noodles with mutton and vegetables — hearty Mongolian comfort food.
Airag — Fermented mare's milk — the traditional drink of the nomads, slightly alcoholic and an acquired taste.
Süütei Tsai — Salty milk tea with butter — drunk throughout the day and served to guests as a gesture of welcome.
Suitable for:NomadsSteppeGenghis KhanAdventureYurtsExtremeTrans-Siberian Railway

Ready for Ulaanbaatar?

Plan your Ulaanbaatar holiday now with our free tools.

All destinations in Asia