Heading to Ulaanbaatar? This short, sharp guide skips the fluff—get the essentials for an epic trip:
TL;DR
- Perfect for: 2–3 days
- Best for: Curious culture seekers, history buffs, urban nomads
- Why visit: Soviet vibes, wild markets, and genuine Mongolian hospitality—solo-friendly!
ULAANBAATAR AT A GLANCE
- Population/Size: 1.5 million; Mongolia’s biggest (and only real) city
- Historical Note: Started as a mobile Buddhist monastery (1639), settled by 1778; heart of modern Mongolia
- Famous for: Genghis Khan landmarks, monasteries, sprawling markets, and windswept steppe views
- Nickname: The Red Hero City
- Solo Traveler Vibe: Welcoming, off-the-beaten-track, low petty crime but mind night transit and busy markets
ESSENTIAL INFO
- 💰 Currency: Mongolian Tögrög (MNT)
- 🗣 Language: Mongolian (some Russian, English in central spots)
- 🌦 Best time to visit: June–September—festivals, mild temps, less bone-chilling cold
- ✈️ From airport:
- Cheapest: Bus routes 10/11 (MNT 2,000), expect 1 hr+ (heavy traffic)
- Easiest: UB Shuttle sedan ($25) or Bolt/Yandex taxi (MNT 20,000–40,000)
- 🧳 Safety: Pretty safe, but avoid unlit streets and crowded bus routes at night (especially solo females—use women-only taxis)
- 🎭 Cultural calendar tip: July’s Naadam Festival is the biggest deal—Mongolian wrestling, archery, and wild festivities
- 🎦 Watch on the plane: “The Eagle Huntress” (2016) for sweeping steppe views and Mongolian culture
WHERE TO STAY (FOR SOLO TRAVELERS)
- 🛏️ Best hostel: Top Tour Guesthouse Mongolia. Cozy spot right on Tourist Street with friendly staff who’ll sort your tours and make you feel right at home. Clean rooms, solid breakfast, very affordable, and one of the best bases for exploring Ulaanbaatar. 🌄 Books up quickly in high season, so grab your spot early!
- Alternate hostel option: UB Guesthouse – Classic backpacker stop, central, spotless, tours offered.
- 🏘️ Best neighborhood for hotels/Airbnb: Sukhbaatar District – Center of the action: key sites, bars, and transport
- 🧭 Alt neighborhood: Bayangol District – More local flavor, guesthouses, quick bus lines, less touristy
- Tip: Pick a spot close to Sukhbaatar Square for easy late-night returns and plentiful ATM/café options
TRANSPORT & NAVIGATION
- 🚶♂️ Walkability: Central core is pretty walkable, but crossings can be wild—be alert!
- 🚌 Buses: MNT 1,000/ride, use U Money card; signage is scarce and routes can confuse at first
- 🚋 Metro: None—just buses and marshrutkas (shared vans), same fare, fast on the outskirts
- 🚖 Taxis: Cheap, always negotiate or use Bolt/Yandex for clarity and up to 30% off street prices
- 🚲 Bike rental: Grab a bike at UBike or city kiosks; ride Tuul River paths or city parks
- Tip: Rush hour (5–7 PM) is gridlock—plan ahead!
TOP 5 THINGS TO DO ALONE
- 🏛️ Sukhbaatar Square – Watch locals gather, snap pics with the epic Genghis Khan statue, and catch free guided walks (Sat)
- 🌿 Zaisan Hill to Chinggis Khaan Museum Trail – 5km, interpretive signs, safe paved walk, awesome views over the city and Soviet monuments
- 🧠 Museum of Mongolian National History – Fascinating mix of ancient and modern, easy to explore solo, great English signage
- 🧭 Naran Tuul Market (“Black Market”) – Get your haggle on, browse Mongolian boots and cashmere—just watch your pockets
- 🎨 Read or sketch in National Park – Lush, green, and full of locals. Or, pop into Gandantegchinlen Monastery for quiet reflection
- 🔀 Wildcard: Ulaanbaatar Jazz Club – Funky nightly jazz, easy to meet locals, unexpectedly hip
WHAT TO SKIP
- ❌ Winter travel unless you really love -30° Celsius! – Activities are limited and chill factor is brutal
- ❌ State Department Store’s upper tourist floors – Pricey, generic souvenirs; real deals are at Naran Tuul Market instead
- ❌ Traffic “tours” – The city isn’t designed for sightseeing via car; walk or bike central areas
EATING & DRINKING
- 🧍♂️ Solo-friendly spot: Modern Nomads – Adventurous Mongolian eats, friendly staff, easy to dine alone
- 🥃 Quiet pub: Blue Wolf – Welcoming, old-school, try Mongolian vodka and swap travel tales with regulars
- 🍽️ Try these: Buuz (steamed dumplings) or khuushuur (fried meat pies)—find the best at The Bull or local gers
- 💸 Best cheap eats: Ger joints near Sukhbaatar Sq. – Steam buns, soups, and snacks for $2–3
- 🥦 Veg/vegan option: Luna Blanca – Legendary vegan/veg takes on Mongolian classics
- 🍸 Cocktails: Sky Lounge (Blue Sky Tower) – Swanky, panoramic views, killer sunset drinks
BEST OF ULAANBAATAR IN 1 DAY – SOLO ITINERARY
- Sunrise: Zaisan Hill—catch city sunrise and soldier monument, best photos
- Morning: Stroll Sukhbaatar Square, then wander to Gandantegchinlen Monastery for chanting monks
- Lunch: Modern Nomads (buuz and milk tea)
- Afternoon: Museum of Mongolian National History, then browse Naran Tuul Market (shop for cashmere)
- Evening: Chill in National Park, maybe rent a bike along Tuul River
- Dinner: Luna Blanca for unique vegan khorkhog (or head to The Bull for meaty classics)
- Night: Sky Lounge for cocktails—or the Ulaanbaatar Jazz Club if you want live tunes
LOCAL TIPS & INSIDER WISDOM
- 🎉 Naadam Festival (July): Horse racing, wrestling, wild color; huge crowds and contagious solo traveler camaraderie
- 📍 Hidden gem: Botanical Garden – Quiet, lush, perfect to read, reset, or chat with locals
- 📷 Photo spot: City-view selfie from Zaisan Hill or with Genghis Khan on Sukhbaatar Square
- 🧠 Etiquette: Locals are warm but handshake with the right hand; give/receive using two when possible
- 🚩 Safety: Stick to main streets after dark; avoid buses late, especially as a solo female (use women-only taxis with pink logo)
- 👀 One last thing: Don’t leave UB without sharing tea and stories in a ger—Mongolian hospitality is unforgettable!
Explore More Solo Guides
✈️ Want to Save $237 on Your Next Solo Trip?
Learn the 100+ travel hacks I’ve learned from 15+ years of solo travel.
👉 Get the $7 Guide (Limited Time Discount)