Things to do in Mongolia
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A
Titan Fitness
Exercise facilities
reviewed
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Traditional Song & Dance
Occurs in summer.
reviewed
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Bathhouse
Bathhouse
reviewed
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Terelj National Park
2 days (Ulaanbaatar)
A short trip into Terelj National Park to experience traditional Mongolian life in a ger camp and explore the flora, fauna and spectacular landscapes of the national park.
Not LP reviewed
from USD$460 -
Bogd Khan Mountain National Park
2 days (Ulaanbaatar)
A short journey to explore the ruins of an 18th century monastery, experience the hospitality of a traditional ger camp and enjoy the beauty of the Bogd Khan Mountain National Park.
Not LP reviewed
from USD$460 -
B
Museum of the General Intelligence Agency
The Museum of the General Intelligence Agency is dedicated to the Mongolian version of the KGB and the spy game dating back to the Chinggis Khaan era. The curators are retired secret service agents and will provide colourful insight on some of the photographs (all captions are in Mongolian). To get there, walk behind the National Museum and down a narrow alley heading west. It's on the left side of the alley. If the museum is locked, try ringing or ask at the front desk of the General Intelligence Agency (GIA) headquarters on Juulchin Gudamj.
reviewed
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C
Amarbayasgalant Antique
The antique trade is booming in Mongolia, but you need to be careful about what you buy as some of it is illegal. Make sure the shop you buy it from can produce a certificate of authenticity. Amarbayasgalant Antique is a high-quality shop for the serious buyer, it sells enormous sutras, traditional headdress, Buddhist statues and other rare items. Some of the items are creations of Zanabazar and not for sale. Great for browsing.
reviewed
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Damdin Sükhbaatar Statue
The Square now bears Damdin Sükhbaatar's name and features a statue of him astride his horse. The words he apparently proclaimed at the time are engraved on the bottom of the statue: 'If we, the whole people, unite in our common effort and common will, there will be nothing in the world that we cannot achieve, that we will not have learnt or failed to do.'
reviewed
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Meg Erdenekhuu
In summer you may be approached by students or other young Mongols who organise their own tours, charging around US$90 per day for up to six people. One such person is the delightfully energetic Meg Erdenekhuu who specialises in trips to the Gobi (her area of expertise is geology and palaeontology) but can take you to virtually any corner of the country.
reviewed
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D
Brau Haus
Brau Haus 'Two slices of crusty pork roast' and 'one whole pork knuckle' may not sound like the most appetizing menu items, but rest assured this brew pub can serve up some tasty dishes to go with tall glasses of beer. The bar has an attractive, airy layout, made more interesting with some B&W photos of old Ulaanbaatar. Live music on Friday.
reviewed
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Spa Resort
Local Mongolians come and put on a pair of slippers and a bathrobe, enter a mud bath, dip into metal tubs filled with spring water and get some vitamin injections. This may not sound so inviting to foreign tourists but the Spa Resort does make for an interesting stop if you are travelling though the Khujirt valley.
reviewed
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E
Hunting Museum
The Hunting Museum, on the 2nd floor of the Baigal Ordon (Nature Palace) on the street leading to Gandan Khiid, shows off centuries-old trapping and hunting techniques that are used by both nomads and urban cowboys. It's usually locked so ask for the key from the ladies running the hotel downstairs.
reviewed
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F
Grand Khaan Irish Pub
Big crowds, lots of smoke, free-flowing beer and loud music set the scene for Ulaanbaatar's most popular night spot. The pub-grub menu includes an array of salads. An attached café (open 08:00 to 22:00) serves espressos, cappuccinos and croissants, plus English and German breakfasts.
reviewed
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Tsakhiur
A little fancier than other places, this upmarket restaurant (it has tablecloths) is near the department store on the north end of town. It serves local favourites such as goulash and puntutste khuurag (clear or glass noodles).
reviewed
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G
Railway Museum
The Railway Museum is great for kids and railway buffs. It is about 400m northeast of the station. Other train-spotting options include the old train engines parked in front of the Jiguur Grand hotel.
reviewed
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Cactus Bar
Hot khuushuur (fried mutton pancakes) by day and beer by night seems to be a standard course of events at the Cactus. It is opposite the Telecom office.
reviewed
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H
Blue Wolf Travel
Offers a variety of trips including winter eagle-hunting tours. The Ölgii office is about 400m south of the ochre-coloured Kazakh National Theatre.
reviewed
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I
River Sounds
This is one of the best places to hear music as it's a dedicated live-music venue with jazz bands and the occasional indie rock band.
reviewed
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J
Tsolmon Travel
Countrywide tours and the operator of Buveit ger camp in Terelj.
reviewed
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K
Happy Camel
It operates out of Chez Bernard.
reviewed
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L
Blue Wolf
Run by the folks at Blue Wolf Tours, this café is in a bright room, its walls decorated with dramatic photos of eagle-hunters and the Altai Mountains. The menu includes delights such as American breakfast (eggs, sausage and bread) and Kazakh breakfast (sausage and apple). Vegetarians will appreciate some of the salads. The taco salad isn't particularly Mexican but does taste good. Kazakh crafts are also sold here.
reviewed
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M
Dave's Place
This bar on the patio of the Palace of Culture near the Square offers the popular Thursday 'Quiz Night', starting at 20:30. Winners receive a jar of cash and free beer. In cool weather the whole operation retreats to a speakeasy-style bar in the basement. It was closed at the time of research but will hopefully be re-opened.
reviewed