A Day Spent in Ulaanbaatar
Khovsgol & Arhangay Rides, Mongolia , Golden Eagle Festival Ride, Mongolia , Eight Lakes Ride, Mongolia
Are you heading off on a Globetrotting holiday to Mongolia? Can I just say I am green with envy – it’s one of the GT team’s favourite riding destinations, and we have such incredible memories of our time spent in this part of the world. If you’re after an adventure, you WILL NOT be disappointed! You’re probably going to be arriving or departing from Ulaanbaatar, an enormous city that can be quite overwhelming if you aren’t prepared, so here’s a list of tips and tricks so you can enjoy yourself in this magnificent country.
SIGHTS AND ACTIVITIES
Ulaanbaatar, often simply referred to as UB, is Mongolia’s capital city and it is nothing – let me say that again, NOTHING – like the pristine countryside you’ll be riding through. An enormous city of wild traffic, pulsating commerce, and sinful nightlife, Ulaanbaatar is the cultural and business centre of Mongolia. It’s chaotic, it’s wild, but it’s an exhilarating experience, especially in the warmer months when it bursts into life after slumbering through a long winter. It’s not the easiest to navigate, but this ever-changing city may be the biggest surprise of your Mongolian adventure.
This is a great place to start your day of sightseeing as it is in the middle of the city and ripe with history. In July 1921, the ‘hero of the revolution’, Damdin Sükhbaatar, declared Mongolia’s final independence from China in this very place. The square now features a bronze statue of Sükhbaatar astride his horse. There is so much to see and do around this square alone and you could spend hours here – the Government Palace (above), the National Modern Art Gallery, the State Opera & Ballet Theatre, and Central Tower are all just a stone’s throw away.
This is one of the country’s most important monasteries, and also one of its biggest tourist attractions. It’s full name, ‘Gandantegchinlen’ translates roughly to ‘the great place of complete joy’ and today more than 600 monks belong to the monastery. You can take photos around the grounds for a small fee, but not inside the temples. We recommend getting there for the captivating ceremonies, which generally start at 9am.
Built between 1893 and 1903, this palace is where Mongolia’s last king and eighth Living Buddha, often called the Bogd Khan, lived for 20 years. The palace was turned into a museum after the Stalin regime. There are six temples in the grounds and the white building to the right as you enter is the Winter Palace itself. Mongolia’s Declaration of Independence (from China in 1911) is among the exhibits. We suggest catching a taxi or bus here as it’s a few kilometres south of Sükhbaatar Square and a bit too far to walk.
This temple is an architectural masterpiece of the 19th and 20th centuries, and is smack bang in the middle of downtown UB. Built in the early 1900s, the temple complex is now a museum preserving the elaborately decorated interiors and containing a rich collection of Mongolian Buddhist sculptures and paintings.
Bonus: Hustai National Park
Okay, this one’s not in Ulaanbaatar, but it’s an easily-organised day trip, and you’ll get to witness wild Przewalski’s Horses – the evolutionary cousin of the domestic horse – in their natural habitat. It’s a spine-tingling moment seeing these herds roaming free, especially knowing they were brought back from the very brink of extinction just a few decades ago. Seriously, for horse lovers, this is an opportunity not to be missed!
PLACES TO EAT
Mongolians make the most of limited ingredients in their country and you may find yourself consuming more meat and carbs than you ever have before. Ulaanbaatar’s restaurants tend to be near Seoul Street and Baga Toiruu West. Here are a few to choose from:
Namaste – Treat your tastebuds with a variety of Northern Indian dishes in this family-run restaurant. Try the delicious saag gosht (beef in spinach sauce) or murg makhni (butter chicken), both will literally melt in your mouth. Don’t forget to order a side of rice and my personal favourite, garlic naan (you can’t go past it!).
The Bull Hot Pot – This is a local favourite among Mongolians, with a steady stream of patrons servicing its three city locations. It’s a great alternative to the meat-heavy menus you’ll find at most other places you try, so do yourself a favour and order an array of raw vegetables, sauces and thinly sliced meats, all brought to your table on platters, then cook the ingredients in your personal cauldron of boiling broth.
Millie’s Espresso – This is a favourite among homesick expats seeking a dose of Western comfort food. Expect tasty burgers, sandwiches, soups and a friendly smile and greeting from the owners, Daniel and Densmaa. If you are there on a Tuesday don’t miss Daniel’s famous Cuban sandwich.
Rosewood – our very own Katy Willings, who masterminded the Golden Eagle Festival Ride and the Eight Lakes Ride, considers this is the top choice in UB. Run by her good friend Cliffe Arrand, who is originally from Boston, it’s New York-quality dining with Italian flair. Don’t forget to try one of the amazing cocktails!
Nazca – ‘A Taste of Peru’ is the subtitle for this restaurant, and if you enjoy pisco sours and fish, then this is the place to visit. It’s a surreal experience to chat away in Spanish with the Peruvian-Mongolian maitre d’ and enjoy delicious stews and fish dishes.
ACCOMMODATION
Bayangol Hotel – It’s big, it’s reliable and it’s only a five minute walk from Chinggis Khan Square, placing it in a convenient sightseeing location. Oh, and did we mention Wifi is available for you to connect with loved ones?
One last tip before you go… take a sense of humour with you. Mongolia is relatively new to the tourism game, so sometimes things don’t go to plan. But put a smile on your face and have a laugh, because the best travel memories are always the ones where something unexpected happens!
Reference: Lonely Planet Guide
Image credits, from top to bottom: Michal Vit / Shutterstock, Uuganbayar / Shutterstock, Pecold / Shutterstock, Deena Tang / Shutterstock, saiko3p / Shutterstock.