Things to do in Ulaanbaatar

23 activities, venues and outings in Ulaanbaatar, from theatres and live music to parks and tours.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.

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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.
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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.
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Mongolian Theatre Museum
A performing arts museum founded in 1991 presenting the history of Mongolian film and theatre..
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National Academic Drama Theater
Улсын драмын эрдмийн театр
Mostly presents Mongolian plays in drama, musicals, or children's performances. Tickets are sold at the "KACC" office in front....
Prices vary, generally cheap for Mongolian-language performances
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National Amusement Park
Үндэсний соёл амралтын хүрээлэн
Open since 1969, the park today features a steel roller coaster, a Ferris wheel and a castle surrounded by an artificial lake.
Daily 11:00-19:00 year roundFree, pay per ride only
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Sky Resort
A winter sports resort offering downhill skiing, snowboarding, lifts, equipment rental, ski and snowboard school, and an onsite restaurant. There's a free bus from the Drama Center (next to the Grand Khan Irish Pub) with departures between 08:00 and 19:30 (frequent service on weekends, more sporadic midweek; check schedule to verify bus times).
Closed · opens 7 amUnder US$20
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State Opera and Ballet Theater
National Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet of Mongolia
While visiting Sükhbaatar Square, it may be worthwhile to check out the board in front of this theatre to see if there is an upcoming performance. Most performances are at 17:00 Saturday and Sunday. Local performances may not be great, but are very cheap. Ballet troupes and opera companies from Russia also occasionally visit..
Box office Wed-Sun 10:00-13:00, 14:00-17:00Prices vary by performance, local productions can be very inexpensive
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Tumen Ekh
A traditional dance ensemble founded in 1989 that performs dances, music and religious ceremonies for audiences of mostly foreign tourists. Performances last about an hour and are far from the usual tourist schlock: these very skilled artists take their work seriously and have been on tour in the U.S., UK and other countries.
Daily performances from May-Oct at 18:00, on weekdays in Oct-Nov 15th30,000₮
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Wrestling Palace
Bökhiin Örgöö
Sports complex that is home to the Mongolian wrestling competitions and also hosts music concerts.
Do Not mapped
Naadam
The largest and most famous festival in Mongolia, Naadam is held annually from July 11-13 and consists of competitions in the three traditional Mongolian sports of wrestling, horse-racing and archery. The, besides being the main venue for the festival, also serves as the country's main football and baseball stadium as well as a venue for occasional concerts and cultural events.
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AIC Steppe Arena
This venue regularly hosts ice skating show.
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Amgalan Botanical Garden
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Buyant Ukhaa Sport Palace
Ulziit Road
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Ganzam Palace
Ганзам палас
Peace Avenue
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Günjiin Nüden Lake
Гүнжийн Нүдэн Нуур
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HUN Theater
Sky Resort Road
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Korea-Mongolia Friendship Forest
Dambadarjaa Street, Sükhbaatar
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National Garden Park
Bayanzürkh
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UG Arena
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Ulaanbaatar Park
corner of Narnii Road and Chinggis Khan Avenue
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Yavuuhulan Garden
Noyon Hutagt Danzanravjaa Street
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Youth Theater
Do Not mapped
Playtime Festival
Mongolia's largest annual outdoor music festival.

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Ulaanbaatar (CC BY-SA 4.0).