Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, is the main gate for trips to any destination within Mongolia. Ulaanbaatar is located on the bank of the Tuul River and surrounded by four sacred mountains. Well-known as a sunny, peaceful and open city, Ulaanbaatar is a city of contrasts where modern life comfortably blends with Mongolian traditional lifestyle.

Ulaanbaatar city is situated in the foothills of the Khentii mountain range. It is situated in the valley of the Tuul River, which flows from east to west in this location. Mountains and hill slopes define the northern (Chingeltei Uul) and southern (Bogd Uul) limits of the city. There are also mountains to the east (Bayanzurkh Uul) and west (Songino Khairkhan Uul), but the river valley and its tributaries provide some open land in these directions. Ulaanbaatar experiences an arid continental climate and has four distinctive seasons: summer, autumn, winter and spring. The summer extends from June to August when the average temperature is 15oC. Snowfall starts intermittently towards the end of the autumn. Winter extends from December to the end of February and is mostly cold with the average monthly temperature in February being –19oC. The minimum temperature reaches (minus) – 40oC during this period. The rainy season is from June to August, when about 74 percent of the annual rainfall occurs. The average annual rainfall for the last 20 years is 267 mm. The rapid population growth of Ulaanbaatar city

located in the sensitive ecosystem adds to its vulnerability to natural hazards. Population of Ulaanbaatar city has been growing rapidly, due to mass migration of people from natural hazard prone rural areas to the city. Comparing with historical maps one can see the dramatic increase of urbanization and expansion of settled areas along the river basins and flood prone zones because of the intensive migration from rural to urban area of the last few years (Figure 1). Since 1986 the population of the city has nearly doubled. Existing statistical data shows that there was an increase in the number of poor people living in Ulaanbaatar till 2001. However, for the following years, which have had more intensive rural to urban migration, data on poverty is not available

Bogd Khaan Palace Museum

1639-1924 for 285 years there were 8 people named Bogd Khaan (living Buddha) . The Bogd Khaan Palace was built for 8th Bogd Jabuzandamba who was Mongolia’s last king. The Palace was built in 1893-1906, it consists of a two story European style building and 10 temples. The king lived there more than 20 years with his queen Dondog-Dulam. Since 1926, the palace has been serving as a museum. The two story wooden house displays items use by the queen and king while the temples show impressive masterpieces of art from 17th to 20th century.

Chinggis khan`s Square / Central Square

The square is in the heart of Ulaanbaatar. In the center of the Square is a statue of a man riding a horse, he is Sukhbaatar who was a military general, leading People’s Revolutionary Movement in 1921. The square neighbors with Government House with a big bronze statue of Chinggis Khaan in front of it.

Choijin Lama Temple Museum

Choijin Lama (a monastic title) Temple Museum is an architectural masterpiece of 19th and 20th century. It was erected by Mongolian architects between 1904-1908 in honor of an influential monk who was a younger brother of Mongolian last king VIII Bogd Gegeen. It is the temple of Red sect of Buddhism. The temple was active until 1936 and closed in 1938 by communists. Since 1942, it is serving as temple museum, it consists of six temples containing more than 8600 items of cultural heritage, including the work of master painters, cast carvings, Mongolian silk appliqué, embroidery, Tsam dancing mask and sculptures.

Gandantegchilen Monastery

 

Gandantegchilen, a Tibetan style monastery, active all year around, is located in the heart of Ulaanbaatar. It currently has over 400 monks in residence. The monastery was established in 1835. One of the places you should to visit in Ulaanbaatar to get some knowledge about Mongolian Buddhism. Except its main activity, a 26, 5 m statue of Migjid Janraisag Buddha (Buddhist bodhisattva) in one of the monastery’s old temple is another thing of interest.

National Museum of Mongolia

The museum was established in 1924. Mongolia is extremely rich in historical heritage. It starts 700,000 years ago in The Paleolithic and including all next historical periods such as Mesolithic and Neolithic, The Bronze Age, Chinggis’s Great Mongol Empire up to now. 46000 items related to Mongolian history, ethnic groups, their clothes and everyday life items are displayed.

Natural History Museum

This museum was established in 1956. Since then museum has constantly enriched its exhibits and in 1992 became The Natural History Museum, consisting of 49 different halls displaying rich exhibits of geography, geology and minerals, flora, fauna, paleontology remains and origins of humanity. The museum is famous for its rare and valuable fossils of dinosaurs including biggest dinosaur bone, two fighting dinosaurs, complete nest, dinosaur eggs with mature fetus and ancient giant animals…etc many.

Tumen Ekh Ensembles

One of the things you should see, if possible, is the Mongolian folk concert. Concert shows throat singing, contortion, drawling song, tsam religious dance, short song, glorious traditional song…etc. There are many Mongolian folk song and dance bands performing in every corner of the world and amazed by foreigners. Mongolians, particularly performance actors are known in the world as people wrapped in silk. If you decide to visit Mongolia, do not lose your opportunity to watch the show performed by people wrapped in silk in their homeland. The show always has good complements from tourists.

Visit Cashmere Processing Factory and Shopping

Mongolia has 18 million goats that produce high quality cashmere. Cashmere clothes made in Mongolia are getting famous by its natural soft and warm quality and fashionable. We want to warn Dear cashmere users not to forget to buy high quality products for reasonable price compared to other countries and to see how your lovely clothes are made. Shopping in Ulaanbaatar is not limited only by cashmere, also souvenirs made by using local materials, yak and camel wool products, leather products made by the locals, and many more.

Zaisan Hill War Memorial

Zaisan hill, war memorial is on the foothill of strictly protected Bogd Khaan Mountain located south of Ulaanbaatar neighboring Buddha’s Garden, it has a 20 m gilded statue of Buddha. Zaisan hill offers panoramic views of Ulaanbaatar.

Zanabazar Fine Art Museum

The museum named after Zanabazar who was a pre-eminent religious leader and artist of 17th century. The museum has 9 halls: antique hall, hall of Zanabazar’s creation, hall displaying paintings drawn with natural colors or tanka, appliqué hall, hall of tsam religious dance, fine arts hall, hall of Maider Buddha. Over 200 artistic creations are registered in Treasure’s Fond of Mongolia as the creations considered rare and unrepeatable. 50 of them are displayed in the museum.