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Ulaanbaatar Shopping

State Department Store

2 reviews | Write a review

Good for: convenience, Western products, Suvenoirs

Not good for: authenticity, Mongolian products, Cheap western goods.

  • Address
    • Peace Ave 44 Central Ulaanbaatar
  • Phone
    • tel, info: 011 319 292
  • Hours
    • 09:00-22:00 Mon-Sat, 10:00-22:00 Sun

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Lonely Planet review for State Department Store

Known as ikh delguur or 'big shop', the State Department Store is virtually a tourist attraction in itself, with the best products from around the city squeezed into one building.

The 1st floor has a supermarket in the back. The 2nd floor has outlets for clothing, cashmere and leather goods. The 3rd floor has electronics, a Mobicom shop, CDs, books, sports equipment, camping and fishing gear. The 5th floor has a great collection of souvenirs, traditional clothing, maps and books about Mongolia.

Foreign-exchange counters are found on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 5th floors, with cash only changed. The store also sells phone and internet cards.

 

Traveller reviews for State Department Store (2)

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    Why come to Mongolia to shop Western?

    claireinmongolia does not recommend this,

    If you're looking for convenience, SDS has it, but with a western price tag. Expect to be pushed and stared at just like at any market, but without any customer service smiles and assistance, or to find any English speaking staff. The area is notorious for pick-pocketing, and with the rise of violent attacks on foreigners of late, well you don't want to risk it. To its credit, SDS has a decent book store on level 6 with English-Mongolian dictionaries etc. (but no Lonely Planet guides!), and the souvenir section is vast on level 5 however you shouldn't expect any products have been made in Mongolia (look for the shop Mary & Martha Mongolia near SDS on Peace Avenue, which sells crafts from local artisans). SDS is great for convenience, and if you are looking for western products at western prices.

    Good for: convenience, Western products

    Not good for: authenticity, Mongolian products

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    Western Goods at Western prices...

    rebelami recommends this,

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    If you're looking for jeans or scarves and don't mind paying the american price check out the first floor of this 5 floor department store.

    If you're looking for suvenoirs at reasonable prices, head upstairs to the 5th floor. Tons of items to bring back for family and friends - the artwork in the back of the store is about 3x as much as purchased outside the monastary. Full "authentic" outfits and costumes at reasonable prices.

    Good for: Suvenoirs

    Not good for: Cheap western goods.

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