Geography and climate

According to abbreviationfinder, Ulan Bator is located about 1,350 meters above mean sea level, slightly east of central Mongolia in the Tuul River Basin, a sub- tributary of the Selenge, in a valley at the foot of Mount Bogd Khan Uul. The Bogd Khan Uul Mountains are heavily forested and have a height of 2,250 meters, are located south of Ulan Bator and are part of the Khan Khentii mountain range that surrounds the city and are also the boundary between the steppe area to the south and the forest-steppe zone to the north. It is also one of the oldest reserves in the world, protected by law since the 18th century. The forests of the mountains around Ulan Bator are made up of pine trees evergreen, deciduous larch and birch trees while the riparian forest of the Tuul River consists of hardwood deciduous trees, poplars, elms and willows.

Due to its high altitude, its relatively high latitude, its location hundreds of kilometers from the coast, and the effects of the Siberian anticyclone, Ulan Bator is the coldest capital in the world, influenced by the monsoon, the cold semi-arid climate that it is very confined to a sub-arctic climate. The city has short hot summers and long, very harsh and dry winters. Cold January temperatures, usually just before sunrise, are between -36 C and -40 C with no wind, due to reversal. Most of the annual rainfall of 216 millimeters falls from June through September. The highest rainfall recorded in the city was 659mm at the Khureltogoot Astronomical Observatory on Mount Bogd Khan Uul. Ulan Bator has an average annual temperature of -2.4 C. The city is located in the discontinuous permafrost zone, which means that construction is difficult on protected areas that prevent thawing in the summer, but easier on those with more exposed fully thawed soils. Suburban residents live in traditional yurts that do not protrude from the ground. The extreme temperatures in the city range from -49 C to 38.6 C.

Administrative division

Ulaanbaatar, has a rank of municipality. It is surrounded by the province of Töv and is divided into nine districts: Baganuur, Bagakhangai, Bayangol, Bayanzürkh, Chingeltei, Khan Uul, Nalaikh, Songino Khairkhan and Sükhbaatar. Likewise, each district is subdivided into joroos. It has no territorial extension; Baganuur and Bagakhangai districts are exclaves, the former in Töv province and the latter in Hentiy.

The city is governed as a first-rate independent subdivision within the country. Its mayor’s office is made up of forty members who are elected every four years, who, in turn, elect the mayor.

Economy

The city is the industrial, financial and cultural center of the country, and also a transportation hub that connects it with other large cities in Mongolia by road, and by rail with China.

Sightseeing

Attractions

Its monumental complex is, perhaps, the main attraction of the city, the only stronghold of a certain modernity within a thick and unwelcoming country. As an island of its own, it is far from the rudimentary ways of life and customs of the rest of Mongolia. But this peculiarity and the oriental exoticism that it exudes give it an attraction that is difficult to be rejected by tourists.

The start of the tourist’s journey can begin with the well-known Peace Avenue, which runs along the south side of the central Sükhbaatar square. From here you reach the central market, the capital’s human souk, which is full of accessories related to Mongolian nomadic life and other typical handicraft products that visitors can purchase. The accommodation offer that exists in Ulaanbaatar is not very wide. Among which there is, the best possibility for the visitor is to rest in a hostel or motel such as UB Guesthouse, Nassan, Gobi Travel, Radiant-Sky or Khongor. Once in the country, you can hire packages that include accommodation, vehicles to get around, fuel, guides, food and attractions such as horseback riding or camel riding. at very affordable prices if you know how to negotiate or travel in a group.

Places of interest

• Choijin Lama Monastery
• Gandantegchinlin Monastery
• Museum of Natural History
• National Museum of Mongolian History
• Bogd Khan Winter Palace
• National Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet of Mongolia
• Sujbaatarin Square
• Zaisan Memorial
• National Sports Stadium
• Gorji-Terelzh National Park (70 km from Ulaanbaatar)

Culture

Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, preserves imposing Soviet-style architecture adorned with oriental touches, as evidenced by its Tibetan and Buddhist buildings.

Art and history demand the attention of the visitor. Specifically museums of Ulan Bator, such as Natural History, which has fossils of dinosaurs and pieces of meteorites are found in the Gobi Desert, the history of the country that recalls the glorious past of the Mongol Empire and Genghis Khan, or Zanabazar of Fine Arts. Among the monasteries, no less outstanding, it is worth visiting that of Gandan and, especially, that of Choijin Lama, one of the oldest that also has the large gold statue of Migjid Janraisig, 25 meters high. height.

Education

Ulaanbaatar has five major universities: the National University of Mongolia, the Mongolian University of Science and Technology, the University of Health and Medical Sciences, the Pedagogical University, and the University of Art and Culture. The National Library of Mongolia presents an extensive collection of texts in English on Mongolian subjects. Ulaanbaatar American School and Ulaanbaatar International School provide Western-style education in English for Mongolians and foreign residents. The historical library houses a considerable number of Mongolian, Chinese and Tibetan manuscripts. See population of Mongolia.

Transport

The city is a great communications center linked by road with the most important cities of Mongolia. A large part of the roads are not paved, which makes it difficult to move on this road even within the city.

Railway transport

One of the most interesting options for transporting in Ulaanbaatar is to be able to do it through the Trans-Mongolian, a railway extension of the mythical Trans-Siberian that reaches the Asian country. It is an extensive route of 9,000 kilometers of distance full of surprises for the traveler, since it crosses landscapes as varied as deserts, lakes, tundras, wooded areas, mountains and places as popular as the spectacular, inhospitable and arid Gobi desert or the steppe of Mongolia where nomadic tribes coexist. Without a doubt, it becomes an experience in which you can see unique places from the train window.

Air transportation

For air transportation, the city has: Genghis Khan International Airport formerly called Buyant Ukhaa, located 18 km southwest of the city. International flights are made to: Beijing, Berlin, Irkutsk, Moscow, Seoul and Tokyo, while the main domestic trips are to Khovd and Mörön.

Urban transport

There are some private companies that operate several bus lines around the city. These lines are completed by minibuses, which travel the same lines.

Sports

In Ulaanbaatar, as in most of the country, regional sports predominate, among which Naadam stands out, which could be considered the national sport. But world-famous sports such as soccer, basketball, etc. are also practiced, although to a lesser degree.