Ulaanbaatar in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
December Weather in Ulaanbaatar
Is December Right for You?
Advantages
- Crystal clear skies with 300+ hours of sunshine - perfect for photography and northern lights viewing from nearby ger camps 50-80 km (31-50 miles) outside the city
- Winter festivals peak in December, including the Ice Festival at Mongolia (700 km/435 miles north) and traditional winter horse racing competitions within 2 hours of the city
- Accommodation prices drop 40-60% compared to summer peak season, with luxury hotels offering rates of $60-120 per night instead of $150-300
- Authentic winter nomad experiences available - stay in heated traditional gers with families who move their herds closer to the city during harsh winter months
Considerations
- Extreme cold requires serious winter gear investment - temperatures below -20°C (-4°F) for 20+ days, making outdoor activities challenging for more than 2-3 hours at a time
- Many tourist ger camps close completely, limiting authentic nomad experiences to family homestays that require advance booking through local connections
- Daylight limited to 8.5 hours (sunrise 8:30am, sunset 5:00pm), significantly reducing sightseeing time and making northern lights viewing require overnight trips
Best Activities in December
Gorkhi-Terelj National Park Winter Adventures
December transforms this park 70 km (43 miles) northeast of the city into a winter wonderland perfect for horseback riding, ice fishing, and dog sledding. Snow coverage is reliable, and the famous Turtle Rock formations look spectacular against white landscapes. Clear December skies provide ideal conditions for photography, and winter wildlife like snow leopards become more active.
Traditional Winter Naadam Mini-Festivals
December features smaller winter naadam competitions focusing on horse racing and wrestling, held in heated indoor venues or outdoor events lasting 2-3 hours. These intimate events offer closer interaction with competitors and traditional winter clothing displays. Local herders bring their best winter horses to compete in special cold-weather races.
Khövsgöl Lake Ice Festival Experience
The frozen lake becomes Mongolia's winter playground with ice sculptures, traditional games on ice, and shaman ceremonies. December offers the thickest, safest ice conditions for walking and ice fishing. The 700 km (435 mile) journey north showcases Mongolia's winter landscapes, and overnight ger camps provide authentic nomad hospitality with traditional winter foods.
City Winter Walking and Museum Tours
December's clear weather is perfect for exploring Ulaanbaatar's museums and indoor cultural sites, with outdoor walking limited to 30-45 minutes between heated stops. The National Museum, Winter Palace, and Choijin Lama Temple offer warm refuge while learning Mongolian history. Traditional markets like Narantuul are particularly atmospheric in winter.
Traditional Mongolian Cooking Classes
December is peak season for hearty Mongolian winter dishes like khorkhog (hot stone cooking) and winter dairy products. Indoor cooking classes provide perfect refuge from cold weather while learning to prepare traditional winter foods that nomads rely on during harsh months. Classes include making traditional winter drinks like fermented mare's milk.
Northern Lights Photography Tours
December's long nights (15+ hours of darkness) and clear skies create optimal northern lights viewing conditions from locations 100-150 km (62-93 miles) from city light pollution. Professional photography tours provide heated transportation, professional guidance, and traditional ger accommodation for multi-day shoots.
December Events & Festivals
New Year Ice Sculpture Festival
Local artists create elaborate ice sculptures in Sukhbaatar Square and surrounding parks throughout December, culminating in competitions during the final week. Features traditional Mongolian themes carved in ice with evening lighting displays.
Winter Solstice Shaman Ceremonies
Traditional shamanic winter solstice rituals held at Bogd Khan Mountain and local ovoos (sacred cairns). These authentic ceremonies welcome the return of longer days and involve traditional chanting, offerings, and blessing rituals.
Tsagaan Sar Preparation Markets
December marks the beginning of preparations for Tsagaan Sar (Lunar New Year). Special winter markets sell traditional foods, winter deels (traditional coats), and ceremonial items. The largest preparation market occurs at Narantuul with special winter sections.