Blowing Through the Wilderness: A Travel Guide to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Ranked by LP as one of the top ten best travel destinations in the world, our first stop in 2023 was Ulaanbaatar. Here's a travel guide to share with you. 【Itinerary】 We spent 5 days in Ulaanbaatar during the National Day holiday of 2023. Our route was Chengdu - Beijing - Ulaanbaatar. We obtained an electronic visa, which can be handled through travel agencies. Upon arrival, we printed the paper copy at the counter. 【Accommodation】 We stayed at the Khan Palace Kempinski, which offers excellent service. The hotel facilities are a bit outdated, but we only stayed for one night. The Millennium Plaza Hotel & Mall Ulaanbaatar is centrally located with a convenient location near the embassy and Chinggis Khan Square. Staying on a high floor allows you to enjoy a panoramic view of Ulaanbaatar at night. 【Transportation】 After collecting our luggage, there was a counter opposite where we could exchange money and buy a SIM card. Next to it, you could call a taxi. Most taxis are two-door Hondas, and the fare is calculated by the kilometer. 【Sights】 Terelj National Park, where the Turtle Stone is located, offers activities like walking, horseback riding, etc. If you have time, it's recommended to stay overnight in the national park as it's incredibly beautiful! (Recommended for 1-2 days) Chinggis Khan Statue, in the opposite direction of Terelj, is recommended if you have sufficient time! (Recommended for 0.5-1 day) Ulaanbaatar City (Recommended for 2 days): Zaisan Hill (Zaisan Memorial), you need to take an elevator from the mall, walk through a corridor, and then climb up. It's the highest point in Ulaanbaatar, so it's recommended to visit in the morning (fewer people, good lighting) and at night. Sakyamuni Buddha is located next to Zaisan Hill, visible from the top, but it's optional depending on your schedule. Gandan Monastery, Winter Palace (Bogd Khan Palace), Chinggis Khan Square, and the Chinggis Khan Museum are must-visits. university, library, statues, Ulaanbaatar landmarks, graffiti walls, etc.) are within 1-2 km of the square and can be seen during a city walk. The Chinggis Khan Museum is recommended for half a day, as the tickets are a bit expensive, with options for regular and premium visits. I bought the premium visit. The National Museum is quite average, depending on your interests. 【Food】 Modern NoMads, Mongolian cuisine, located next to Chinggis Khan Square. Diamond Blue Sky Tower, a panoramic restaurant, is fantastic at sunset. yuna korean, Korean cuisine, with a lot of Mongolians, authentic and generous portions. 【Shopping】 Mongolian State Department Store (souvenirs) and GOBI (cashmere specialty store). English proficiency is low, so it's recommended to download Google Translate. Ulaanbaatar is extremely congested, so if possible, avoid driving. Be cautious at night with alcohol, as I've had a frightening experience myself.