Ulaanbaatar

3rd & 4th Microdistrict

You'll find several malls, name-brand stores, restaurants, supermarkets, curbside booths, and a movie theater at UB's largest shopping district. Selection ranges from luxury brands down to cheap Chinese imports. Traffic congestion is heavy in this part of the city.

ASA Arena

Home to the world-famous Mongolian contortionists, where most of the world's professional contortionists get their start. The circus also features animals, jugglers, and other entertainment.

Ambrosia Restaurant

A nice little restaurant that turns into a club at night, with good drink specials. Popular with foreigners.

3000₮ for a beer

Bogd Khan Mountain

The mountain ridge south of town, is a great place for a hike. To get there, take the #7, #33 or #43 bus from in front of the Bayangol Hotel to the south end of the line. From there, the road continues south about 100 m, whereupon you'll come to a checkpoint. Proceed, bear left when the road forks, and you'll soon find yourself in a ger camp with a small stream flowing north. This is where the hiking path itself begins, on the left (east) side of the stream. At the top of the ridge, veer west and proceed through the woods for an easy amble of about two or three hours (you'll come to a high point about 500 m past the turn). At the end of that stretch, you have the option of either branching off to the west or else continuing straight and slightly east to Bogd Khan Mountain (this path is marked with orange paint marks on the trees). That part of the trip is quite long — about 10 km one-way — and more challenging, with varying elevations.

Bogd Khan Winter Palace Museum

Богд хааны ордон музей

Built between 1893 and 1903 by Mongolian masters, this palace was dedicated to the VIII Bogd Gegeen, head of Tibetan Buddhism and Khan of Mongolia from 1911 until 1924 (the last three years of which were as a constitutional monarch). Upon his death, the palace became the first national historical museum of Mongolia. The museum contains twelve collections showcasing valuable objects and works of art from the 17th to early 20th centuries (notable among which are gilded bronze sculptures by the first Bogd Javzundamba Zanabazar and his school, 19th- and 20th century thangka paintings, a Jugder painting of Ulaanbaatar in 1912, and works by modern Mongolian painter B. Sharav), as well as personal possessions of the Khan and his wife, Queen Dondogdulam..

Closed · opens 10 am·Admission 8000₮, 50,000₮ photography fee

Books in English Bookshop

Used books are bought and sold here. There's even a buyback policy. Selection is mostly but not exclusively English-language.

Brauhaus

Goes for a German brewhouse look (hence the name) and succeeds. This bar is big but usually not noisy. It serves X Beer, a quite tasty local brew.

Half-liters run around 2500₮

California Restaurant

Extensive menu of both foreign and Mongolian specialties. Beautifully decorated, high-quality food including vegetarian specialties (good tofu!) It's a bit small, but in the summer there is additional outside seating. Reservations are advised.

10,000-30,000₮ per meal

Chinggis Club

The Chinggis Brewery's in-house restaurant, serving German cuisine and (of course) their own locally brewed light and dark beers on tap.

Closed · opens 10 am·US$10

Chinggis Khaan National Museum

Чингис хаан Үндэсний музей

This modern museum covers the broad sweep of Mongolian imperial history from early tribal kingdoms up to the beginning of the era of domination by China. There are some English-language explanations, and QR codes for everything else.

09:00-17:00, closed on Mondays during the winter period (1 October to 15 May)·Adult 30000₮, student/senior/child/disabled 15000₮

Choco Metropolis Club

Night club with two main dance floor on top of an office building.

Choijin Lama Monastery

Чойжин ламын сүм

These five temples and five arched gates are a unique showcase of religious art and the history of Buddhism in Mongolia, a gem of 20th century Mongolian cultural heritage, and a fine example of Buddhist architecture. The monastery was active until 1938, was inscribed in 1941 on the list of historical and cultural monuments, and became a museum the following year. In the main temple you'll find the sculpture of the Choijin Lama and the embalmed mummy of his teacher, as well as the great coral mask of Begtse, created under the direction of protectors using over 6,000 pieces of coral. Elsewhere in the complex, Yadam Temple and Amgalan Temple contain rare artifacts made by the famous Mongolian artist and sculptor, Zanabazar.

Daily 09:00-19:30 in summer, closed on Sundays and Mondays during winter·8000₮, students 3000₮, children 1500₮, photography fee 50,000₮

Emart Department stores

Emart

This subsidiary of the South Korean retailer has three department stores in Ulaanbaatar that offer mostly South Korean and some domestic goods. It has a good groceries department as well. The first store is just north of Chingis Khaan Hotel, the second is in Bayangol district, and the third is in Khan Uul district.

Daily 10:00-22:00

Flower Center

One of the larger souvenir shops in the city; a broad selection, but a bit pricey.

Gandantegchinlen Monastery

Gandantegchinlen Khiid or Gandan Monastery

The main monastery in the city has services around 10:00 every morning. It is one of the few monasteries in the country that were spared during the Communist purges of the 1930s.

4000₮

Grand Khaan Irish Pub

A comfortable sports bar and grill with English-speaking staff.

Closed · opens noon·4000₮ for a beer, 15,000₮ for a meal

Hazara North Indian Restaurant

Serving spicy North Indian, Kashmiri, and Afghani food since 1997. Food is all halal, with vegan options available. Well-decorated restaurant and costumed waitresses can make you think you are in Delhi instead of Mongolia.

From 10,000 ₮

Hishig Mongol Zoog

If you want to experience authentic Mongolian cuisine, this is the place. Serves roasted sheep head, roasted ribs, buuz, and dried meat soup. No foreign-language menu or staff, though.

US$6-10

Ikh Mongol

Patrons of this brewpub can choose between the main dining area, the fancy VIP upstairs, or secluded tables in the back. Most weekends have concerts from Mongolian bands. In addition to the house brews served on tap, the more popular Mongolian brands are served.

3500₮ a half-liter and up

International Intellectual Museum

IQ Museum

This museum displays,manufactures and exports a wide variety of traditional Mongolian puzzle toys, logic games, handcrafted products, and souvenirs, and has launched over 80 international exhibitions and fairs in 50 countries.

Mon-Sat 10:00-18:00·Admission for non_Mongolians 15,000₮, children 500₮

Le Bistrot Francais

Enjoy a pastis and have a nice dinner at the only French restaurant in Ulaanbaatar.

Los Bandidos

Mexican-Indian fusion: don't knock it until you taste the spicy chicken masala or crispy taquitos. The prices are higher now than they used to be, but the atmosphere has improved along with it.

US$7-10

Luna Blanca

Good-quality vegan food. Attached to a Buddhist meditation centre, therefore short opening hours (closes around 9pm). If you're looking to self-cater they also sell a modest selection of groceries including vegan sausages.

Mon-Fri 11:00-20:00, Sat-Sun 12:00-20:00·Around 4000₮ (Feb 2018)

Mary & Martha

A small free-trade shop full of beautiful handmade souvenirs, handbags, and wall hangings.

Mass

One of the aforementioned clubs that likes to stay open illicitly past 03:00. Caters to a younger clientele.

Millie's Espresso

Good selection of American-style coffeeshop fare, including some vegetarian options.

Closed · opens 8 am·US$10

Modern Nomads

several restaurants in town

Excellent variety and quality for both locals and tourists. Good, clean toilets are an added bonus.

Mongolia National Broadcaster

монголын үндэсний телевиз

Mongolia's national public broadcaster, operating television and radio services. The headquarters houses its main studios and broadcasting facilities. Access to the building may be restricted and generally requires prior permission or an invitation. It is a recognizable landmark associated with the country's radio and television history. The building has a distinctive Soviet-era appearance, with a large rooftop sign and broadcasting tower that make it stand out in the area. While the interior is generally not open to casual visitors, the exterior may be of interest to visitors interested in media history, urban architecture, or photography.

Closed · opens 9 am·by invitation only

Mongolian Military Museum

The museum consists of indoor display housed in a building and also outdoor display of fighter jet, missile, tanks etc.

Mongolian Theatre Museum

A performing arts museum founded in 1991 presenting the history of Mongolian film and theatre..