All citiesUlaanbaatar Things to do and walking itinerary
Mongolia Ulaanbaatar travel guide
18 things to do in Ulaanbaatar, where to stay, airport transfers. Pick places on the map and get a day-by-day walking route from your hotel with steps, kilometres and minutes.
Top things to do in Ulaanbaatar
- Gandantegchinlen Monastery — monastery in Bayangol, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia (visit ≈ 40 min)
- Sükhbaatar Square — central square of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Choijin Lama Temple — Temple in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia (visit ≈ 120 min)
- National Museum of Mongolia — Mongolian museum (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral (Ulaanbaatar) — church in Ulanbaatar, Mongolia (visit ≈ 35 min)
- Natural History Museum — museum in Chingeltei, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Zaisan Memorial — memorial in Khan-Uul, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Sükhbaatar's Mausoleum — mausoleum in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia (visit ≈ 15 min)
- National Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet of Mongolia — opera house in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Fine Arts Zanabazar Museum — art museum in Chingeltei, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Ulaanbaatar City Museum — museum in Bayanzürkh, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Holy Trinity Church — church in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Mongolian Military Museum — military museum in Ulanbaatar, Mongolia (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Marshall Zhukov House Museum — museum in Bayanzürkh, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Memorial Museum of Victims of Political Repression — former museum in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Monument of Choir — The first Turkish inscription created in the 7th century (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Dashchoilin Monastery — monastery in Sükhbaatar, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia (visit ≈ 40 min)
- Pethub Monastery — monastery in Chingeltei, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia (visit ≈ 40 min)
2-day Ulaanbaatar walking itinerary
Starting point: Sükhbaatar Square. The top 8 places at a normal pace (up to ~10 km of walking a day), in this order. Change places or your hotel on the map and the route is recalculated; distances are estimates with a street allowance.
- Day 1 (≈ 4.8 km · 6,540 steps · 1 h 4 min on the way): Sükhbaatar's Mausoleum → National Museum of Mongolia → Fine Arts Zanabazar Museum → Natural History Museum → Gandantegchinlen Monastery
- Day 2 (≈ 1.3 km · 1,760 steps · 17 min on the way): Choijin Lama Temple → National Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet of Mongolia → Sükhbaatar Square
Where to stay in Ulaanbaatar
- Sükhbaatar Square: The city centre; museums and restaurants within walking distance.
- Around Seoul Street: Central area full of restaurants and bars.
- Zaisan: In the south, quieter with city views.
Getting from the airport to Ulaanbaatar
- Chinggis Khaan International (UBN): Express bus or taxi ≈ 50 min
Getting around
The centre is walkable but traffic is heavy; buses and taxis run, dress warmly in winter.
Classic places to eat
- Modern Nomads: Mongolian cuisine; try buuz and khuushuur.
- BD’s Mongolian Barbeque: Your chosen ingredients are cooked on a big griddle.
- Millie’s Espresso: Small café loved for years; sandwiches and cakes.
- Khaan Buuz: Local chain serving buuz dumplings.
- Hazara: A long-running, well-loved Indian restaurant.
Romantic views
- Zaisan Memorial (Sunset): The hilltop memorial overlooks the whole city and valley.
- Sükhbaatar Square (Evening): The vast square looks striking under the evening lights.
- Gandan Monastery (Early morning): The monastery courtyard is peaceful during morning prayers.
- Tuul River Bank (Sunset): The river bank south of the city is wide and quiet.
Good to know before visiting Ulaanbaatar
- Fine: Exporting fossils and antiques is illegal.
- Fine: Zero tolerance for drink-driving.
- Fine: Photographing military sites, borders and government buildings is prohibited.
- Warning: Winters are extremely cold, and Ulaanbaatar's air pollution is severe.
- In a ger don't step on the threshold, move clockwise and accept offerings with your right hand.
- The currency is the tögrög; carry cash in the countryside.
- Emergency: police 102, ambulance 103, fire 101
- Plugs: C/E, 230V
- Tap water: Don't drink tap water; use bottled.
- Tipping: About 10% is customary.
Sources: UK FCDO — Foreign travel advice: Mongolia, Wikivoyage — Mongolia, T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı — Türk vatandaşlarının tabi olduğu vize uygulamaları · For information only; rules change, check official sources before you go. Last checked: 2026-10
Ulaanbaatar travel FAQ
- How many days do you need in Ulaanbaatar?
- The top 8 places in the centre take about 2 days at a normal pace on a walking route from your hotel. Allow 3 days for the top 16 places within walking distance.
- What are the top things to do in Ulaanbaatar?
- Highlights: Gandantegchinlen Monastery, Sükhbaatar Square, Choijin Lama Temple, National Museum of Mongolia and Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral (Ulaanbaatar). The map has 18 things to do in total.
- Where to stay in Ulaanbaatar?
- Sükhbaatar Square: The city centre; museums and restaurants within walking distance. Other options: Around Seoul Street and Zaisan.
- How do you get from the airport to Ulaanbaatar city centre?
- Chinggis Khaan International (UBN): Express bus or taxi ≈ 50 min
- How do you get around Ulaanbaatar?
- The centre is walkable but traffic is heavy; buses and taxis run, dress warmly in winter.
- What is the emergency number in Ulaanbaatar?
- Emergency: police 102, ambulance 103, fire 101.
- Do you tip in Ulaanbaatar?
- About 10% is customary.
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