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Geography

Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, is situated at an elevation of approximately 1,350 meters (4,430 feet) above sea level, nestled in a valley on the Tuul River, near Bogd Khan Mountain. The city is surrounded by four mountains: Bogdkhaan, Bayanzurkh, Songino Khairkhan and Chingeltei Khairkhan. It experiences a cold, semi-arid climate with short, warm summers and long, bitterly cold winters. The surrounding area features forests of pine, larch and birch as well as riverine forests along the Tuul River.

Climate

Ulaanbaatar has an extreme continental climate, characterized by long, cold winters and short, warm summers. It’s known for being the coldest capital city in the world with an average annual temperature of -1.3°C (29.7°F). The city experiences significant temperature variations throughout the year with average highs in July reaching around 24°C (75°F) and average lows in January dropping to around -28°C (-18°F). Precipitation is generally low, with most of it occurring between April and September.

People and Economy

As of the most recent estimates, Ulaanbaatar has a population of around 1.7 million people, making it home to nearly half of Mongolia’s total population. The people of Ulaanbaatar are a mix of urbanized Mongolians and migrants from rural areas reflecting Mongolia’s nomadic heritage and rapid urbanization. The city has experienced rapid growth due to rural-to-urban migration, particularly in the sprawling ger (yurt) districts (informal settlements with traditional Mongolian gers and houses).

Ulaanbaatar is a hub for various businesses, including mining, finance and technology. Key industries driving the economy include mining, agriculture and wholesale/retail trade. Additionally, Ulaanbaatar is seeing growth in fintech and other tech startups with a strong focus on mobile banking and digital wallets.

Attractions

Gandan Khiid Monastery
Gandan Khiid Monastery is the largest Buddhist monastery of Mongolia with enchanting ceremonies held every day. It has the statue of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, the tallest indoor statue of Buddha in the world, which is 26.5 meters (87 feet) high. The statue contains 2,286 precious stones, 27 tons of medicinal plants, 334 sutras and 2 millions of mantras.

Sukhbaatar Square
Sukhbaatar Square, central square of Ulaanbaatar, features an equestrian statue of Sukhbaatar Damdin, who has declared Mongolia’s independence from China in July 1921. In the north from the statue, the large grey building is State Parliament House, to the north east is the tall, modern palace of Culture, a useful landmark containing the art gallery and several other cultural institutions. At the south-east corner is the State Opera and Ballet Theater. All of cultural and political events and festivals are held on this central square.

Bogd Khaan Winter Palace Museum
Bogd Khaan Winter Palace Museum, built between 1893 and 1903, is where Mongolia’s eighth Living Buddha, and last king, Jebtzun Damba Khutagt (often called the Bogd Khan), lived for 20 years. There are six temples in the grounds; each now contains Buddhist artwork including sculpture and Thangka.

Choijin Lama Monastery
The Choijin Lama Monastery is composed of four temples that were built in the years 1904 to 1908 by the Eighth Bogd Khaan and dedicated to his brother the Choijin Lama Luvsanhaidav. The temple complex is now a museum preserving the elaborately decorated interiors and containing a rich collection of other Mongolian Buddhist sculpture and painting.

National Museum of Mongolia
National Museum of Mongolia has been established in 1971. The museum sweeps visitors from the Neolithic era right to the present day and storage facility additionally holds over 50,000 historical and ethnographical objects. Exhibitions cover prehistory, pre-Mongolia Empire history, Mongol Empire, Mongolia during Qing rule, ethnography and traditional life and twentieth century history.

Traditional Folklore Concert
Traditional Folklore Concert – you may explore the traditional music and culture scene of folklore concert for visiting to two kinds of theater as well as Tumen Ekh Theater and National Dance and Musical Grand Theater. Both theater, feature folk and traditional music, song, dance and contortion and those interested in the colourful art and culture of the land of the blue sky.

Zaisan Memorial Hill
Zaisan Memorial Hill – a memorial communist-era monument in the southern area of Ulaanbaatar city, that honors Soviet soldiers killed in World War II. From the bottom of the hill, visitors make the climb of more than five hundred steps. In 2003, a tank memorial, featuring a Soviet tank from a brigade paid for by the Mongolian people, was moved to the foot of the hill. This is the best place for panoramic view of the capital city.