Things to Do in Winter Palace of the Bogd Khan

Mongolia's last king lived through the Soviet purges of the 1930s. His Winter Palace in Ulaanbaatar survived when most traditional buildings didn't, making it one of the few windows into pre-revolutionary Mongolia. The capital itself balances on an edge—Soviet concrete blocks next to traditional gers, herders selling fermented mare's milk steps from trendy coffee shops. The palace holds an odd collection of diplomatic gifts, religious artifacts, and traditional Mongolian crafts that somehow escaped destruction. You can walk from here to most other attractions. The city works as a staging ground for the steppes beyond.

Mongolian food means meat and dairy. Period. The nomadic tradition shows in every dish—mutton dominates, fermented milk products appear everywhere, vegetables barely register except in Chinese and Korean restaurants. Try khorkhog if you can find it. The barbecued meat gets cooked with hot stones in a traditional method. Buuz (steamed meat dumplings) appear on most menus and taste better than they sound. Vegetarians face real challenges here. International restaurants offer some options, but research ahead or risk eating bread and rice for a week.

Summer brings warmth, long days, and crowds. June through August offers the best weather but highest prices—accommodation costs double during peak season. Spring and fall deliver unpredictable weather that swings from sunshine to sudden snowstorms. Winter hits hard with temperatures well below freezing. But flights and hotels cost half the summer rates. Countryside trips only work in summer unless you specifically want winter activities.