Things to Do in Ulaanbaatar in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
Low Season · Budget Friendly
December Weather in Ulaanbaatar
Long-run averages for December
7°F (-13°C)
High Temp
-9°F (-22°C)
Low Temp
0.1 inches (3 mm)
Rainfall
71%
Humidity
1
Sunny-Day UV
⚠ Near-freezing temperatures: pack warm layers
Is December Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + The air is bone-dry and crystalline, with zero precipitation most days. This creates an otherworldly stillness in the steppe around Ulaanbaatar. The low sun casts long, sharp shadows that make the Gorkhi-Terelj National Park's granite formations look like they've been carved with a knife. The light is extraordinary.
- + Crowds are virtually non-existent. You'll have the dinosaur skeletons at the Central Museum of Dinosaurs mostly to yourself. The sacred artifacts at the Choijin Lama Temple Museum sit in quiet rooms. This is a stark contrast to the summer tour groups. Visit now.
- + It's the season for authentic nomadic culture. Many herders have moved their winter camps closer to the city's outskirts. This makes it easier to arrange genuine ger stays without the long summer drives. The air smells of smoke from dung-fueled stoves, a scent as old as the steppe itself. Go soon.
- + Hotel rates and tour prices tend to be at their lowest annual point. This offers significant value compared to the peak summer months. If you're willing to bundle up, your money goes much further in Ulaanbaatar in December. Winter rewards the prepared.
Considerations
- − The cold is a physical presence. At -22°C (-9°F), exposed skin can freeze in minutes. The wind that whips down Peace Avenue has a metallic bite that standard tourist gear simply can't handle. This isn't a casual chill. It's a central factor in every plan you make.
- − Daylight is brutally short. The sun rises lazily around 8:30 AM and sets before 5:00 PM. This severely compresses your sightseeing window for outdoor activities. Meticulous daily scheduling is essential. Plan carefully.
- − Some seasonal experiences are completely off the table. The popular Naadam Festival won't happen. Effortless hiking in the national parks is impossible. The landscape is locked in deep freeze, which limits the scope of adventures. Choose wisely.
Best Activities in December
Top things to do during your visit
In December, Ulaanbaatar settles into stillness. The cold dictates everything. The average high is a biting seven degrees Fahrenheit, with lows dropping to nine below zero. The air is crisp and dry, carrying the scent of coal smoke from the city's stoves, and the ground is permanently frosted, crunching underfoot. Locals move with purpose. They bundle in heavy dels and fur hats against the chill. Their breath forms clouds in the golden afternoon light that glances off the frozen Tuul River. This is not a month for casual strolling. It is for embracing the stark, beautiful austerity of a Mongolian winter, where experiences are found in the warmth of a ger's hearth or the vast, silent expanse of the surrounding steppe just beyond the city's edge. The city itself feels more intimate in December. Visitors will find the city's cultural institutions, like the National Museum of Mongolia, are welcoming havens from the cold, offering deep examinations into the nation's nomadic heritage. Dining becomes a central pleasure. Restaurants serve hearty buuz dumplings and rich meat stews that steam up the windows. The key to enjoying Ulaanbaatar in winter is planning. Arrange reliable transport. Dress in thermal layers. Structure days around a mix of indoor cultural discovery and carefully curated excursions into the impressive winter landscape that defines Mongolia.
Cooking Class in a Traditional Ger Home in Ulaanbaatar Suburbs
foodEscape the city's chill for the warm, dough-scented interior of a traditional felt ger in the suburban countryside. Here, you will learn to hand-shape buuz dumplings, feeling the sticky dough give way beneath your fingers, and watch as they steam over a roaring central stove. This experience connects you to the daily rhythms of a Mongolian household, far from restaurant kitchens.
It is a genuine chance to spend time in domestic Mongolian cuisine and hospitality, conducted within the authentic architecture of nomadic life.
Insider tip: Wear loose, comfortable clothing you do not mind getting lightly dusted with flour, and come ready to eat, as the meal you prepare is your lunch.
This month: The ger will be heated against the deep cold, making its felt-walled interior an exceptionally cozy and welcome refuge in December.
Private tour wth Olivia: Genghis Statue-Turtle Rock-Terelj-Zaisan
private_tourThis private tour whisks you from the urban center to the monumental, where you will stand before the towering stainless steel Genghis Khan statue, feel the wind whistle across the open plains at Turtle Rock, and climb the steps at Zaisan Memorial for a panoramic view of Ulaanbaatar's valley shrouded in winter haze.
The private vehicle provides essential, heated comfort and flexibility to explore these spread-out sites at your own pace during the short, cold days.
Insider tip: Request a stop at a local roadside cafe on the return journey to Ulaanbaatar for a warming bowl of tsuivan noodle stew.
This month: The winter light casts long, dramatic shadows across the steppe and the metallic statue, creating starkly beautiful photography conditions.
Day Trip to Terelj National Park & Giant Chinggis Khaan Statue
day_tripJourney into the frozen wonder of Terelj National Park, where granite formations like Turtle Rock are dusted with snow and the rivers are sheets of opaque ice. The trip culminates at the colossal Chinggis Khaan Statue complex, where you can hear the flags snap in the wind and look out from the horse's head over the dormant, white-capped landscape.
It efficiently combines two of the most well-known sights near Ulaanbaatar into a single, manageable winter day trip.
Insider tip: The indoor museum at the statue complex is a valuable chance to thaw out and learn about the empire before braving the elevator to the viewing platform.
This month: The park's summer greenery is replaced by a monochrome palette of white snow and grey rock, offering a completely different, more severe beauty.
Private 3-Day Tour of National Parks From Ulaanbaatar
guided_experienceThis extensive tour moves beyond Ulaanbaatar's outskirts into the heart of Mongolia's winter wilderness, visiting multiple national parks over three days. You will sleep in ger camps, feel the absolute silence of a frozen lake, and see the sun rise over snow-dusted mountains with only the sound of your own breath.
It is a committed deep examination of the remote, austere beauty of the Mongolian landscape in its most extreme season.
Insider tip: Confirm with the operator that the ger camps you will be staying in are equipped with reliable, strong heating systems for December conditions.
This month: This tour operates in December. But travel between parks can be slower and routes may adjust based on snow conditions and road accessibility.
Full Day Private Tour in Terelj National Park with Horse Riding
adventureExperience the quiet of Terelj National Park from the saddle, hearing the muffled thud of your horse's hooves in the snow and feeling the animal's warmth beneath you. The frozen river valleys and snow-laden pines create a scene of profound tranquility, a world away from the city's hum.
Horse riding is the traditional way to traverse this land, offering a uniquely authentic and peaceful perspective on the winter terrain.
Insider tip: Opt for the shorter riding duration if you are not accustomed to the cold, as the stillness can make the low temperatures feel more intense.
This month: The horses are hardy and accustomed to the cold. But ensure your tour provides heavy, insulated over-pants and boots for riding.
Airport Private Transfer
transportAfter a long flight, the moment you step out of Chinggis Khaan International Airport into the dry, sub-zero air is a shock. A pre-booked private transfer eliminates the scramble, delivering you directly to your Ulaanbaatar hotel in a warm vehicle, your breath fogging the window as you watch the sparse, winter-bare hills approach the city.
It is the simplest, most stress-free way to begin a winter visit, important if you arrive after dark or are unfamiliar with the city.
Insider tip: Have your driver's contact information printed or saved on your phone, as airport Wi-Fi can be unreliable when coordinating a meet-up.
This month: In December, this service is valuable as it guarantees you will not be waiting outside in the extreme cold for a taxi.
Where to Stay in Ulaanbaatar in December
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for December travellers.
Public Holidays in December
Dates that affect opening hours, transport and crowds
Тусгаар Тогтнолын Өдөр
Known in English as Independence Day. Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
Тусгаар Тогтнолын Өдөр
Known in English as Independence Day. Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
Тусгаар Тогтнолын Өдөр
Known in English as Independence Day. Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
Packing Checklist
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View Ulaanbaatar Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
Dress like an onion. The real trick isn't one heavy layer. But three or four good ones. Every building in Ulaanbaatar is overheated to sauna-like levels. You need to be able to peel down to a t-shirt indoors without carrying a soaked parka. Peel and repeat.
Plan outdoor activities between 11 AM and 3 PM. This brief window delivers the strongest (though still weak) sunlight and marginally warmer temperatures. Schedule driving or museum visits for early mornings and late afternoons instead.
Eat the dairy. Winter produces the richest, most fortifying traditional foods. Find boortsog (fried dough) and aaruul (dried curds) at Naran Tuul Market. Drink the suutei tsai (salty milk tea). It rehydrates and replaces salts lost to dry cold.
Taxi drivers often refuse meters in deep winter, citing heating costs. Agree on a price before entering, or use the local ride-hailing app. A short trip within the city center should only cost a small amount.
Avoid These Mistakes
Bringing the wrong footwear. Sneakers or lightweight boots guarantee misery and possible frostbite. Your shoes matter as much as your coat.
Packing in too many ger camps or day-trip locations. Winter roads slow travel between sites. Choose one or two bases. Explore deeper from there.
Skipping sunglasses. Snow glare under the low sun causes snow blindness, even at UV index 1. Buy polarized lenses.
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