Ulaanbaatar
Around the start of the 19th century more than 100 süm (temples) and khiid (monasteries) served a population of about 50,000 in Urga (the former name of…
Must-see attractions in Ulaanbaatar
Ulaanbaatar
In July 1921 in the centre of Ulaanbaatar, Damdin Sükhbaatar (the ‘hero of the revolution’) declared Mongolia’s final independence from China. A square…
Ulaanbaatar
Mongolia’s wonderful National Museum sweeps visitors from the Neolithic era right to the present day. It’s UB's only genuine blockbuster sight, offering…
Ulaanbaatar
This temple museum smack in the middle of downtown Ulaanbaatar was the home of Luvsan Haidav Choijin Lama (‘Choijin’ is an honorary title given to some…
Winter Palace of the Bogd Khan
Ulaanbaatar
Built between 1893 and 1903, this palace is where Mongolia’s eighth Living Buddha, and last king, Jebtzun Damba Hutagt VIII (often called the Bogd Khan),…
Ulaanbaatar
Built by the Russians to commemorate 'unknown soldiers and heroes' from various wars, the Zaisan Memorial features stirring socialist realism imagery with…
Ulaanbaatar
This fine-arts museum has a superb collection of paintings, carvings and sculptures, including many by the revered sculptor and artist Zanabazar. It also…
International Intellectual Museum
Ulaanbaatar
This museum contains an intriguing collection of puzzles and games made by local and international artists. One puzzle requires 56,831 movements to…
Mongolian National Modern Art Gallery
Ulaanbaatar
Sometimes called the Fine Art Gallery, this place contains a large and impressive display of modern and uniquely Mongolian paintings and sculptures, with…
Ulaanbaatar
Mongolia's neoclassical National Library houses the world's largest collection of Buddhist texts, of which a select few are on display within its Museum…
Ulaanbaatar
The plaza located between the State Department Store and the Circus has an unofficial name – Beatles Square, so named after the monument to the Fab Four…
Ulaanbaatar
Located in the northwest corner of the city, Asral is an NGO and Buddhist social centre that supports impoverished families. Its main aim is to stop…
Ulaanbaatar
Belonging to Gandan Khiid, Badma Ega is a small, ramshackle place on a busy intersection. While Badma Ega is the original name for the temple, many know…
Centre of Shaman Eternal Heavenly Sophistication
Ulaanbaatar
Ulaanbaatar’s official Shaman Centre is a ramshackle ger teetering on the slope that leads to Gandan Khiid. While not particularly mystifying at first…
Ulaanbaatar
This place designs and manufactures many of the fabulous dels (traditional coats) that are worn during the Naadam opening ceremony and at other state…
Ulaanbaatar
The history of film and theatre in Mongolia is told through photographs and models at this small museum located on the 3rd floor of the Cultural Palace…
Ulaanbaatar
Originally built in 1890 and destroyed in the late 1930s, this monastery was partially rebuilt and is now located in three huge concrete gers that once…
Ulaanbaatar
The Bakula Rinpoche Süm was founded in 1999 by the late Indian ambassador, himself a reincarnated lama from Ladakh. The Rinpoche’s ashes were interred…
Ulaanbaatar
Known to almost everyone as the Children’s Park, this small amusement park features a roller coaster, among other rides, games and paddle boats. The…
Ulaanbaatar
This dinosaur 'museum', in an incongruous location within a mall, has displays of a Tarbosaurus bataar and a massive long-necked Opisthocoelicaudia among…
Ulaanbaatar
In the southern part of Ulaanbaatar is the sprawling National Garden Park, a popular place for locals to unwind and get some fresh air after work and on…
Ulaanbaatar
The Wildlife Museum (formerly known as the Hunting Museum) is on the 2nd floor of the Baigal Ordon (Nature Palace) on the street leading to Gandan Khiid…
Ulaanbaatar
Buddha Park is harder to appreciate these days since the construction of a high-rise, commercial development that encompasses the 23m-high Sakyamuni…
Ulaanbaatar
The Ulaanbaatar City Museum offers a brief but insightful view of Ulaanbaatar’s history through old maps and photos. The most interesting item is a huge…
Ulaanbaatar
The square that bears Damdin Sükhbaatar's name features a statue of him astride his horse. The words he apparently spoke when declaring Mongolia's…
Ulaanbaatar
The enormous marble construction at the north end of UB's main square was completed in 2006 in time for the 800th anniversary of Chinggis Khaan’s…
Ulaanbaatar
This well-established contemporary art gallery features established and emerging Mongolian artists, along with a small gallery/gift shop. It's run by Ms…
Mongolian Artists’ Exhibition Hall
Ulaanbaatar
If you want to see Mongolian art, and perhaps buy some, head into the Mongolian Artists’ Exhibition Hall, on the 2nd floor of the white-marble building…
Ulaanbaatar
If you're in the area to visit the cashmere outlets, this Madam Tussauds'–style wax museum is worth a look to see realistic figures of Chinggis Khan,…
Ulaanbaatar
Well hidden within the Central Post Office, this small stamp museum covers Mongolia's history from 1924 to the current day. Of most interest are the…
Ulaanbaatar
The white colonnaded building to the southwest of Sükhbaatar Sq is the Mongolian Stock Exchange, which was opened in 1992 in the former Children's Cinema…
Ulaanbaatar
Very much symbolic of UB's rise in fortune is the swanky Central Tower, home to luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton and Armani. As well as retail and…
Ulaanbaatar
The large, white square building located just southwest of the Victims of Political Persecution Memorial Museum is called the Wedding Palace. Built in…
Ulaanbaatar
In front of the Central Museum of Mongolian Dinosaurs (the former Lenin Museum), Freedom Sq is UB's traditional gathering spot for political rallies and…
Ulaanbaatar
Located atop of Bondkhan Uul (1620m) is this Soviet-era observatory that offers fantastic views over the city. While those into astrology are welcome to…
Ulaanbaatar
Rising from the ground like a giant shark fin is UB's most recognisable landmark, the Blue Sky Tower. This gleaming blue glass 105m-tall building houses a…
Ulaanbaatar
Atop a steep hill, peaceful Tasgany Ovoo is worth a look if you haven't yet seen an ovoo, a sacred pyramid-shaped collection of stones. The views up top…
Ulaanbaatar
Red Ger Art Gallery remains one of the city's best for modern artwork by Mongolia's top contemporary painters. There are regular shows, and all artwork is…
Ulaanbaatar
Across from the Central Post Office (CPO) is a statue of S Zorig, who at the age of 27 helped to lead the protests that brought down communism in 1990 …
Ulaanbaatar
Behind the Chinggis Khaan Statue in Sükhbaatar Square stands Government House. An inner courtyard of the building holds a large ceremonial ger used for…