Ulaanbaatar is the capital city of Mongolia. It is located in the north-central part of the country. It is also the largest city in Mongolia as it holds nearly half of the country’s population.

The City of Ulaanbaatar has been tagged also as the coldest capital in the world as temperature may drop to -30 to -40°C, making this place like winter in every season. 🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶

My point of entry in Mongolia was the Chinggis Khan International Airport. It is located about 52 kilometers to Ulaanbaatar. I arrived almost midnight in the airport and travelled via private car to my hostel in Ulaanbaatar. To know more about my tips and experiences on how I travel in Mongolia including transportation, food, accomodations, expenses and more, please watch out for my next blog. 😍😇😍

In this post, I will be sharing my DIY itinerary in Ulaanbaatar. I spent almost 3 days in Ulaanbaatar before and after my Central Mongolia Tour. I only had 2 full days to explore the city. Nevertheless, I had the best time in Ulaanbaatar. 😍🥰😍

Sükhbaatar Square

Entrance Fee: Free

Sükhbaatar Square is the largest central plaza in Ulaanbaatar. It was named after Damdin Sükhbaatar, who was the leader of the 1921 Mongolian revolution and founder of Mongolian People’s Party. Sükhbaatar Square serves as the political and cultural heart of Mongolia. It featured a bronze horse statue of Sükhbaatar and a massive monument of Genghis Khan.

After I bought Mobicom e-sim from a shop nearby my hostel and ate late lunch, I booked a private car via TheTino app to go to Sükhbaatar Square. The route we took was in the Peace Avenue, like our version of EDSA road in Manila. From there, I experienced the heavy traffic in Ulaanbaatar. In about 20 minutes, I reached the Sükhbaatar Square.

My visit in the square was timely as a graduation ceremony was being held. On that day, I saw the graduates and their families wearing Mongolia’s traditional clothing called “deel”.

These were like a calf-length, long-sleeved robe with an overlapping front and a fabric or can be worn with leather sash belt. I was lucky to see younger and older generation of Mongolians wearing their own tradition. They all looked very beautiful in the vibrant textiles they wore. 😍

As for me, I was just walking around the square, admiring its vastness. I was also amazed how Genghis Khan, one of my history hero, played a big part in the square. Indeed, the square is the heart of Ulaanbaatar. 🥰

National Museum of Mongolia

Entrance Fee: ₮ 20,000

Nearby Sükhbaatar Square, I walked to visit the National Museum of Mongolia. There were a lot of museums in Ulaanbaatar yet I chose this one as it was like I will be transported to different era and culture of Mongolia.

The National Museum of Mongolia is the leading museum dedicated in preserving the Mongolian history and traditional life. The museum was established in 1924 and remained dedicated to historical investigation and research including the collection, preservation and exhibition of artifacts related to Mongolian culture.  

From the earliest civilization of Mongolia, the nomad life, the eras of the Khans and how Soviet Union entered and influenced Mongolia, everything can be found in the National Museum of Mongolia.

I spent about 2 hours in the museum to understand and enjoy the history, culture, tradition and innovation in Mongolia. A lot of locals and foreigners were there too in the museum while I visited it.

My favorite part of the museum were the exhibitions of nomad life and the Khans era. From there, I had a glimpse of what it was like in the next coming days of my travel in Mongolia specially the nomad life that I will have on the tour.

After the museum, I walked again passing by Sükhbaatar Square. Then, walked a little bit more to visit another icon. 🤩

Marco Polo Statue

Entrance Fee: Free

If you will talk about Kublai Khan, you will never ever forget about Marco Polo. Marco Polo was a Venetian merchant and adventurer who traveled from Europe to Asia in 1271 to 1295. This route has been called as “Silk Road”. He wrote his adventures that has been made into one of the earliest classic literature that focused on his travels. Marco Polo introduced to the West on how Asia is flourishing on those times.

Marco Polo remained in China for 17 years. During this time, he became an emissary and trusted diplomat for Kublai Khan under his empire. Marco Polo’s contribution in travel, business and diplomacy gave him a mark as one of the trusted and loyal friend of Mongolian empire.

Before I decided to choose Mongolia in my travel, I was hooked with the Netflix series “Marco Polo”. Though it cannot be the actual portrayal of what happened before in Mongolia, Marco has played a significant role on how Kublai built and maintained his empire.

From there, I was really astonished how this man travelled from the West, experienced the life in Asia and be a diplomat and one of the earliest travel icon in the world! 😍

I was very happy to see his statue in Ulaanbaatar! 😍😍😍😍

After I saw Marco Polo, I tried to book a cab via TheTino app again. However, none cannot be booked! 😰😰😰 All drivers were coming from a far destination. After trying to book and waiting for more than 30 minutes, my phone battery drained, my power bank did not worked either! Indeed, traffic in Ulaanbaatar was harsh! 😰😰😰

The temperature felt like dropping and the wind was getting colder. I decided to walk to return to my hostel. I somehow remembered the route I took with the cab. However, since it was my first time walking in Ulaanbaatar, I was a bit worried. 😓😓😓

After 45 minutes of walking, I safely arrived near my hostel. 🥳🥳🥳 I tried to search for a store where I can buy thick jackets but I cannot find one in my size. So, I just ate my lunch in a local restaurant and returned to my hostel.

Next day, was the start of my 4-day tour in Central Mongolia! 😍😍😍 To read about my travel adventures and tips, watch out for my next blog. 💜

State Department Store

Entrance Fee: Free

After my 4-day tour in Central Mongolia, I returned to Ulaanbaatar. I stayed in the same hostel when I firstly arrived in the city. I had one full day in Ulaanbaatar and continued my laid-back DIY itinerary before my return flight to Hong Kong on the next day.

I was confused if I will visit the State Department Store or the Narantuul Market or what they called the “black market” in Ulaanbaatar. However, it was Tuesday when I returned in Ulaanbaatar. The Narantuul Market is closed every Tuesday. Thus, I decided to visit the State Department Store.

The State Department Store was built in 1921 with the assistance of the Soviet Union. It is the largest mall in the city. It is a 7-storey structure where you can find local and international brands.

From my hostel, I booked via UBCab to go to the State Department Store. It was also nearby the Sükhbaatar Square. In just less than 15 minutes, no heavy traffic yet that time, I arrived in the mall and directly go to the 5th floor, where all souvenirs were located.

Your head will really spin if you like shopping. As for me, I just shopped for personal items for my family and office colleagues. Items in the State Department Store were relatively cheap for me. Of course, there were some expensive items.

In the ground floor, I found Pepper Lunch! 😍😍😍 I ate my lunch before heading to my next destination.

Roman Catholic Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul

Entrance Fee: Free

In all of my travel itineraries, I always try to include a Catholic Church to visit. I found this addition in my itinerary as a way to say a prayer of gratefulness in all the places where I have been to. This time around, I visited the Roman Catholic Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in Ulaanbaatar.

The Roman Catholic Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul was consecrated in 2003. It is the official episcopal see of the Apostolic Prefecture of Ulaanbaatar. It is the largest Catholic Church in Mongolia. Pope Francis visited this cathedral too in one of his apostolic journey in 2023. The church architecture was a circular one that resembles a traditional Mongolian ger or yurt tent with thick felt-like walls.

From the State Department Store, I booked via UBCab again. I tried TheTino at first but it was not able to locate the church. In about 20 minutes, I reached Don Bosco School where the cathedral was nearby. I pinned the school instead as the church was not being read in both booking applications.

While walking nearby the church, I noticed that it was closed, which is normal for a weekday. However, in any kind of Catholic Church, it usually opened one door to let church-goers said a prayer in any time. I walked on the entire grounds but no door was opened. 😞 I saw though one of the paintings made for Pope Francis. 🥰

I tried to wait a little longer and went to the Garden of the Cross. It was a small place outside the church where a figure of Mother Mary was displayed alongside 12 seating area made in stones that symbolized the 12 apostles.

While waiting, I tried to look for the nearby door and it opened. I asked the man I saw if the church was open but he made a hand signal saying that it was closed. I returned to the Garden of the Cross, then a lady approached me. She spoke local language and seemed like she was asking me if I wanna go inside. I asked her if the church was opened, she made hand signal that “yes, it is, follow me”. 😇

We entered the church office then went on a dark corridor. Then walked more and used an elevator. We reached the 3rd floor and the woman walked to the room and turned on the lights. On that point,behind the glass doors, I already saw the altar. 🥰

She made a hand signal again that “if I wanna go outside after praying, just follow the same path”. Then, we smiled at each other and she left me. 😇

The altar was very beautiful and big. The round ger-like structure can be seen vividly in this place. The altar area was very peaceful and calm. I seated in front, knelt and said a prayer. 🙏🙏🙏

On that time, I just want to thank God for letting me visit Mongolia and His church. I was about to give up in seeing the inside of the church but a woman approached me while I was in front of Mama Mary. It was like Mary and Jesus’s way of saying to me that “My church is always open for you”. 🙏🙇‍♀️🙏

After some minutes inside the church, I went on the same path, took the elevator and head out. I thanked the lady again in letting me visit their church. 😇😇😇

Most importantly, I thank Mama Mary and Lord Jesus to let me visit their one of a kind church in Mongolia. 🙏🙇‍♀️🙏

SocialPay Park or Children’s Park to watch Tumen Ekh Ensemble

Entrance Fee: Free but the Tumen Ekh show was ₮ 60,000

From the church, I walked for some minutes and found CU convenience store. I had some snack to relax before heading out to my last destination in Ulaanbaatar. I booked again via TheTino to go to SocialPay Park.

SocialPay Park or Children’s Park is a large leisure park in the city. However, I was not there to ride the attractions. I was there to watch the Tumen Ekh Ensemble.

While researching on what to do in Ulaanbaatar, watching the show of Tumen Ekh Ensemble popped up in the most exciting activity in the city. I researched on this show and read excellent reviews. Thus, I added this activity on my last full day in Ulaanbaatar. 🤩

The Tumen Ekh Ensemble is Mongolia’s premier traditional folk song and dance group. It was founded in 1989 in Ulaanbaatar by a collective of outstanding artists – from singers, musicians, dancers even a contortionist.

Though I had the chance to watch a live performance of local group while I was on tour in a ger camp, they said the performance of Tumen Ekh Ensemble was one of a kind. So, I grabbed that opportunity to watch before I leave Mongolia.

I had plenty of time to wait for the show as it starts at 7 o’clock in the evening. I walked inside the park while waiting. However, the wind blows colder so I decided to stay near the show venue. The doors opened past 6 in the evening to sell tickets. I did not made a reservation or purchased a ticket online as when I sent a message to Tumen Ekh Ensemble’s Facebook page, walk-ins are welcome and payment can be made on the day of show itself.

For the entrance fees, cash and card payment were available. If you will take photos or videos using your phone or a professional camera, additional fee will be added on top of the entrance fee. I decided not to take photos or videos so I can just enjoy the entire show. 🤩😍🤩

Inside the venue, it was big enough to accomodate more than 100 viewers. I was very happy to find a seat where I can comfortably view the performance. In just few minutes, the show started. 🤩😍🤩

Part of the show were artists sung, danced and played indigenous instruments. I cannot say that I have favorite parts as all if were extraordinary and really exemplified the culture and tradition of Mongolia. I was able to take two photos at the beginning of the performances.

However, I guess the highlights for me were the shaman dance, contortionist, the local instrument playing, the opening song were all singers and dancers were gathered like sharing hot teas and most of all was the khoomei singer. 🤩👏🤩

A khoomei singer is a traditional artist who performs throat singing. The singer produced multiple distinct pitches at the same time using a specialized vocal technique. It was really fascinating to hear it live and on stage! 🤩👏🤩

The show lasted for an hour. 👏👏👏 I was really lucky and blessed to see Tumen Ekh Ensemble perform while I was in Mongolia. 🤩👏🤩👏🤩 After the show, some artists went outside to let us take some photos. 📸

Tumen Ekh Ensemble end my last full day in Ulaanbaatar on a high note. 😍🤩🥰 It was truly a magnificent experience! 👏👏👏 All of the reviews I read were true. 👏👏👏 Each of the performances were truly a gem of Mongolia. 👏👏👏

My two full days in Ulaanbaatar were amazing! 😍😍😍 It can be short with my laid-back DIY itinerary yet I accomplished to travel to the places I wanted to and experience Ulaanbaatar in my own way. 😍😍😍

Next, I will be sharing my itinerary and experience from my 4-day tour in Central Mongolia! 💜 Watch out for my next blogs! 💜💜💜