Capital city, Mongolia
Ulaanbaatar for solo travelers
Is Ulaanbaatar good for solo travel?
Mongolia's gateway capital: a rough-edged city of Soviet blocks, ger districts and good cafés, mainly a base for steppe and Gobi trips. Winter smog is severe and traffic is heavy.
Solo travel at a glance
| Solo travel | 3/5 · Good, with some effort |
|---|---|
| Locals | Friendly |
| English | Limited |
| Safety | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Solo women | Manageable with care: daytime is fine, but avoid walking alone at night and watch drinks, as spiking is reported. |
How to meet people in Ulaanbaatar
Hostels and guesthouses are the main way: most travelers find tour mates there for Gobi or Terelj trips. Expat groups, language exchanges and café meetups exist.
Good things to do alone
- Visit Gandan Monastery
- See the Chinggis Khaan statue complex
- Watch a traditional music show at the Tumen Ekh ensemble
- Hike Bogd Khan Uul
- Browse Zanabazar Museum of Fine Arts
Where to stay in Ulaanbaatar
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Sukhbaatar Square and central Sukhbaatar District | Hotels, cafés, museums and most tour offices |
| Bayangol and Peace Avenue area | Restaurants, shops and quicker transit links |
| Zaisan and Khan-Uul | Quieter residential area with expats and cafés |
Solo travel across Mongolia
| Place | Solo | English |
|---|---|---|
| Gobi Desert | 4/5 | Rare |
| Terelj | 4/5 | Limited |
| Lake Khuvsgul | 4/5 | Rare |
| Ulaanbaatar | 3/5 | Limited |
Quick answers
Is Ulaanbaatar good for solo travelers?
Good, with some effort (3/5). Mongolia's gateway capital: a rough-edged city of Soviet blocks, ger districts and good cafés, mainly a base for steppe and Gobi trips.
How do you meet people in Ulaanbaatar?
Hostels and guesthouses are the main way: most travelers find tour mates there for Gobi or Terelj trips. Expat groups, language exchanges and café meetups exist. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in Ulaanbaatar?
Limited.
Is Ulaanbaatar safe for solo female travelers?
Manageable with care: daytime is fine, but avoid walking alone at night and watch drinks, as spiking is reported.
More about Ulaanbaatar
Going to Ulaanbaatar solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Ulaanbaatar meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
Ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.