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Ulaanbaatar — travel, stays & events guide
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Ulaanbaatar city overview
Ulaanbaatar is a city in Mongolia shaped by its region, population, local economy, landmarks, climate and civic history. This overview summarizes the city itself: where it sits, what defines it, which places anchor its identity and why it matters within the wider country.
City facts
Known forUlaanbaatar, Capital city in Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar planning base 3, Ulaanbaatar planning base 4
RegionMongoliaMongolia
Time zoneAsia/Ulaanbaatarlocal time
Founded1226historical origin
City history
The palace is said to be where Genghis Khan stayed with Yesui Khatun before attacking the Tangut in 1226, though accounts of the Mongol invasion of Tangut are conflicted.
The city at its establishment in 1639 was referred to as Örgöö (Mongolian: ᠥᠷᠭᠦᠭᠡ; Өргөө, lit. 'Palace').
Zanabazar returned to Mongolia from Tibet in 1651, and founded seven aimags (monastic departments) in Urga, later establishing four more.
In 1778, the city moved from Khui Mandal and settled for good at its current location, near the confluence of the Selbe and Tuul rivers, and beneath Bogd Khan Uul, at that time also.
In 1839, the 5th Bogd Jebtsundamba moved his residence to Gandan Hill, an elevated position to the west of the Baruun Damnuurchin markets.
In 1855, the part of the camp that moved to Tolgoit was brought back to its 1778 location, and the 7th Bogd Jebtsundamba returned to the Zuun Khuree.
East of the main town was the Russian consulate, built in 1863, with an Orthodox church, a post office and 20 Cossack guards.
It was fortified in 1900 and briefly occupied by troops during the Boxer Rebellion.
Upon independence in 1911, with both the secular government and the Bogd Khan's palace present, the city's name was changed to Niĭslel Khüree (Mongolian: ᠨᠡᠶᠢᠰᠯᠡᠯ ᠬᠦᠷᠢᠶᠡᠨ; Нийслэл Хүрээ, lit. 'Capital Khüree').
When the city became the capital of the new Mongolian People's Republic on 29 October 1924, its name was changed to Ulaanbaatar (lit. 'Red Hero'), possibly in honor of Damdin Sükhbaatar.
The Trans-Mongolian Railway, connecting Ulaanbaatar with Moscow and Beijing, was completed in 1956, and cinemas, theaters, museums and other modern facilities were erected.
Chinggis Khaan International Airport in south of Ulaanbaatar was opened to the public on 4 July 2021 as the main airport of the city.
During the Dzungar wars of the late 17th century, it was even moved to Inner Mongolia.
With the growth of Western trade at the Chinese ports, the tea trade to Russia declined, some Chinese merchants left, and wool became the main export.
Worth seeing
Ulaanbaatar
Ulaanbaatar is a practical Ulaanbaatar planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Capital city in Mongolia
Capital city in Mongolia is a practical Ulaanbaatar planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Ulaanbaatar planning base 3
Ulaanbaatar planning base 3 is a practical Ulaanbaatar planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Ulaanbaatar planning base 4
Ulaanbaatar planning base 4 is a practical Ulaanbaatar planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Ulaanbaatar planning base 5
Ulaanbaatar planning base 5 is a practical Ulaanbaatar planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Ulaanbaatar planning base 6
Ulaanbaatar planning base 6 is a practical Ulaanbaatar planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Stay overview
Compare Ulaanbaatar before booking Ulaanbaatar hotels. Start with the places you will repeat most, then check airport timing, parking, nightly price and event demand before choosing the final base.
Hotels & areas
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Compare stays in Ulaanbaatar, MongoliaFlights & airports
Main airport TBC arrival plan
- Ulaanbaatar airport accessMain gateway TBC.
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Rental cars
Ulaanbaatar day-trip car use
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Compare rental carsTravel tips
Best time to visit
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Transport notes
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Crowds
Prices can jump around festivals, conventions, school holidays, cruise days, ski weeks, race weekends and large sports events.
Booking detail
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Upcoming events
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