Mongolia · Ulaanbaatar travel guide

A concierge that already knows Ulaanbaatar

NUM holds 13,950 places in and around Ulaanbaatar. Text it what you want, in any language. It finds three real places that fit, open now, and books the one you pick.

Free for travelers Any language, any hour Nobody can pay to be recommended
A view of Ulaanbaatar
Photo: Zazaa Mongolia · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
The directory

What is in the Ulaanbaatar directory

827Restaurants
205Street food
500Cafés
306Bars
412Hotels
277Attractions
52Markets
24Desserts
83Bakeries
973Shopping
873Beauty and spa
47Museums

Built from open map data, kept current, and never ranked by who paid, because nobody can pay. Placement is not for sale on NUM. Counted October 2, 2026.

Before you go

Ulaanbaatar at a glance

Ulaanbaatar is Mongolia's capital and largest city, home to about 1.7 million people, and the coldest national capital in the world. It mixes Buddhist monasteries, Soviet-era monuments and large ger districts. Most visitors pass through on the way to the countryside or come for the Naadam festival in July.

Known for

  • Sükhbaatar Square Сүхбаатарын талбай

    The central square, with a 1946 equestrian statue of Damdin Sükhbaatar and the Chinggis Khaan colonnade in front of the Government Palace.

  • Gandan Monastery Гандантэгчэнлин хийд

    Buddhist monastery founded in 1809, home to a 26.5 m statue of Avalokiteśvara dedicated in 1996.

  • Zaisan Memorial Зайсан толгой

    Soviet-era hilltop monument in Khan-Uul, built in 1971; 612 steps lead to a panoramic view over the city.

  • Naadam festival Наадам

    The national festival of wrestling, horse racing and archery, held at the National Sports Stadium from July 11 to 13.

  • Buuz Бууз

    Steamed dumplings filled with minced mutton, lamb or beef, made by families for Tsagaan Sar and sold in cafes across the city.

Getting there

Chinggis Khaan International Airport, opened in 2021, is about 52 km south of the city in Töv Province. A six-lane highway of about 30 km links it with Ulaanbaatar. Shuttle buses run to several points in the city, and taxis are available.

Getting around

Buses are the main public transport, with over 100 routes. Traffic is very heavy: average peak-hour speeds were under 9 km/h in 2021, so allow plenty of time.

When to go

Summer is short and warm, and July brings Naadam. Winters are long and very cold, with January nights often between −36 and −40°C. Winter air pollution from coal stoves is severe and often hides the city in smog.

Local tip

Avoid crossing the city at rush hour. In 2021, residents spent about 2.5 hours a day in traffic; walk around the center instead.

Facts checked November 1, 2026. Transport and openings change, so NUM checks them again.

Where NUM looks in Ulaanbaatar

Districts NUM covers here.

  • Bayanzürkh District Баянзүрх
  • Ulaanbaatar (whole city) Улаанбаатар
  • Bayangol District
  • Songino Khairkhan District Сонгинохайрхан
  • Khan-Uul District
How it works

How NUM works in Ulaanbaatar

  1. 1

    Text NUM what you want

    A table, a massage, a driver, a pharmacy. In your words, in your language.

  2. 2

    Get three real places

    Checked, open now, and close to where you are. Nobody paid to be on the list.

  3. 3

    It books the one you pick

    The confirmation stays in your thread. A real person is one message away.

Questions

Questions about NUM in Ulaanbaatar

How many restaurants does NUM know in Ulaanbaatar?

827 in and around Ulaanbaatar, from the open map data NUM builds its directory on. NUM does not list all of them at you. It picks three that fit what you asked for, and says why.

Does NUM cover street food and markets in Ulaanbaatar?

Yes: 205 street-food spots and 52 markets. Ask it what is open now and it will answer for the hour you are actually in.

Can NUM help me find a hotel in Ulaanbaatar?

NUM knows 412 places to stay here. It finds the one that fits and hands you to the licensed partner who books it, so you always know who you are booking with.

How far is the airport from Ulaanbaatar?

About 52 km south of the city. A six-lane highway links them, and shuttle buses and taxis run into town.

When is Naadam?

July 11 to 13 each year, at the National Sports Stadium in Ulaanbaatar.

How cold is it in winter?

Very cold. January nights often fall to −36 to −40°C, and coal smoke makes winter air pollution severe.

What language can I message NUM in for Ulaanbaatar?

Whatever you write in. NUM answers in the language of your message, and in the script you used, which for Chinese means Traditional stays Traditional.

Does it cost anything?

Not for travelers. Booking through NUM is free and nothing is added to your bill. NUM Plus and NUM Platinum are optional and only add room.

For businesses

For businesses in Ulaanbaatar

If you run somewhere here, list it free. No account needed: add your place or update its details, and NUM checks them before they go live. Taking bookings through NUM is a separate, optional sign-up.

  • Free to list, no account needed
  • NUM checks every listing before it goes live
  • Nobody can pay to be recommended

Text it. It's booked.

A concierge you can text, anywhere you land.

Ulaanbaatar eSIM: data on the local networks in Ulaanbaatar, installed before you land. Mongolia eSIM plans.

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