Things to Do in Ulaanbaatar in March
March weather, activities, events & insider tips
Low Season · Budget Friendly
March Weather in Ulaanbaatar
Long-run averages for March
31°F (0°C)
High Temp
9°F (-12°C)
Low Temp
0.2 inches (5 mm)
Rainfall
61%
Humidity
3
Sunny-Day UV
⚠ Extreme cold and wind chill remain significant hazards, for evening activities and day trips onto the open steppe. Frostbite is a real risk for unprotected skin.
Is March Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + Ulaanbaatar's winter-wrapped museums and monasteries are yours alone in March. The National Museum's echoing halls hold only the soft shuffle of your boots. Worth it.
- + March marks the final month of reliably frozen ground. Sites in the steppe, like the Genghis Khan Statue Complex and nearby Terelj National Park, stay accessible. The mud comes later. Spring thaw makes everything unpredictable.
- + The air in Ulaanbaatar in March cuts sharp and clear. Dry. Crystalline. The snow-capped Bogd Khan mountain range to the south looks etched onto the horizon.
- + This is shoulder season. Accommodation rates in the city drop below summer levels. Tables open up. Modern Nomads takes walk-ins. Book that table.
Considerations
- − The cold means business. Midday highs brush freezing. Nights plunge lower. Wind off the steppe slices through you on Sukhbaatar Square. Pack accordingly.
- − The city works fine. Remote ger camps and wilderness lodges in the countryside stay shut until May. Deep-country overnights wait for warmer months.
- − Winter's monochrome palette still holds. Tawny frozen grass stretches for miles. Trees stand bare. Green rolling steppe? Wrong season. Come back in June.
Best Activities in March
Top things to do during your visit
Ulaanbaatar in March is a city on the threshold. The deep freeze of January and February, when the average low plunges to minus twenty-two degrees Celsius, begins to relent. By March, the average high nudges above freezing to zero degrees Celsius. The daylight stretches noticeably longer than in the dark heart of winter. The air remains crisp. It carries the faint, clean scent of cold stone and, on some days, the distant, earthy smell of thawing ground. You'll see snow lingering in the shadows of Soviet-era apartment blocks. You'll hear the crunch of packed ice underfoot on the sidewalks. It is a time of practical transition. Locals shed their heaviest winter furs in favor of thick wool coats. The city moves with a steady, purposeful rhythm, awaiting the genuine thaw of April. Visiting Ulaanbaatar now has a clear, sharp portrait of the capital without the peak summer tourist crowds. The city's cultural institutions, from the National Museum to the Gandantegchinlen Monastery, are fully operational and often quieter. This allows for contemplative exploration. You can feel the dry, cold air on your face as you walk between destinations. That sensation defines a Mongolian late winter. Questions about the weather in Ulaanbaatar are frequent, and rightly so. Preparedness is key. Layered clothing, a strong coat, and sturdy, insulated boots are non-negotiable companions for navigating the city's streets and the surrounding landscapes during this season.
Cooking Class in a Traditional Ger Home in Ulaanbaatar Suburbs
foodFor a tactile understanding of Mongolian culture, nothing compares to learning to cook buuz and khuushuur within the felt-lined walls of a ger in the city's outskirts. The experience begins with the feel of warm dough in your hands and the sight of steam rising from a massive central iron stove, around which the entire home life revolves. You'll hear the sizzle of meat filling hitting hot oil. Later you'll taste the rich, savory results of your labor, a direct connection to nomadic culinary tradition.
This class moves beyond observation to participation, offering the intimate atmosphere of a family ger and the immediate reward of a homemade meal.
Insider tip: Confirm the specific meeting location in advance, as ger camps on the city's fringe can be difficult to find without precise directions from your host.
Private tour wth Olivia: Genghis Statue-Turtle Rock-Terelj-Zaisan
private_tourA private tour offering a curated sweep of key landmarks provides an efficient and personalized introduction to the region's scale and history. You'll see the colossal stainless steel gleam of the Genghis Khan Statue at Tsonjin Boldog. You'll feel the wind whipping across the open plateau at Turtle Rock. You'll witness the panoramic view of Ulaanbaatar from the Soviet-era Zaisan Memorial hill.
The flexibility of a private guide allows you to linger at the sites that capture your interest, such as the intricate murals inside the statue's base, without being bound to a large group's schedule.
Insider tip: Request that your guide includes a stop at a local roadside café for a warming bowl of tsuivan (stir-fried noodles) or a salty milk tea to break up the day's travel.
Day Trip to Terelj National Park & Giant Chinggis Khaan Statue
day_tripThis day trip escapes the urban landscape of Ulaanbaatar for the frozen, sculpted beauty of Terelj National Park, where granite formations like Turtle Rock rise from valleys blanketed in snow. The journey culminates at the towering Genghis Khan Statue. You can walk inside the base to see exhibits detailing the empire's history and ascend to the observation deck in the horse's head.
It efficiently combines a natural wonder easily accessible from the capital with one of the country's most well-known modern monuments.
Insider tip: The interior museum at the statue complex is a welcome respite from the cold and provides context often missed by those who only view the exterior.
Private 3-Day Tour of National Parks From Ulaanbaatar
guided_experienceThis multi-day private expedition ventures beyond Ulaanbaatar into the heart of Mongolia's national parks, offering a profound sense of the country's vast, empty landscapes. You'll sleep in ger camps. You'll hear the absolute silence of the wilderness at night. You'll see endless skies that reveal a spectacular canopy of stars, undimmed by city lights.
It provides an immersive, look at into the Mongolian countryside, with a guide to navigate remote areas and arrange all logistics, from accommodations to meals.
Insider tip: Pack for extreme temperature swings. March nights in the parks will be far colder than in Ulaanbaatar, requiring a high-quality sleeping bag if not provided.
Full Day Private Tour in Terelj National Park with Horse Riding
adventureThis private tour focuses exclusively on Terelj National Park, adding the classic Mongolian experience of horse riding across its wintery terrain. You'll feel the sturdy gait of a Mongolian horse beneath you. You'll see the park's famous rock formations from the saddle. You'll smell the clean, pine-scented air of the river valleys.
The combination of guided exploration and active horseback riding allows you to engage with the landscape in the traditional nomadic manner.
Insider tip: Be honest about your riding ability with the operator. The terrain can be challenging, and they can match you with a suitable horse and route.
Airport Private Transfer
transportArriving at Chinggis Khaan International Airport, the convenience of a pre-booked private transfer to your hotel in Ulaanbaatar cannot be overstated. After a long flight, you'll appreciate the sight of a driver holding a sign with your name. You'll bypass the need to negotiate with taxi drivers in the cold outside the terminal.
It guarantees a smooth, stress-free, and warm introduction to Mongolia, delivering you directly to your accommodation without hassle.
Insider tip: Have your local address written in Cyrillic Mongolian script to show the driver, as English is not widely used for navigation within Ulaanbaatar.
Where to Stay in Ulaanbaatar in March
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for March travellers.
Public Holidays in March
Dates that affect opening hours, transport and crowds
Олон Улсын Эмэгтэйчүүдийн Баяр
Known in English as International Women's Day. Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
Олон Улсын Эмэгтэйчүүдийн Баяр
Known in English as International Women's 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
Locals flee Ulaanbaatar on March weekends. 'Winter dachas' in Terelj draw them. Mongolian families in ger camps? Probably not tourists. Urbanites enjoying quiet. Good sign.
Skip chains for coffee. Caffe Bene works. Seoul Street roasteries work better. Strong. Hot. Often paired with walnut cake. Warmth found.
Taxi drivers will often try to charge tourists more in winter, citing 'heater cost'. Use the UBCab app (like a local Uber) for fixed fares. Or negotiate firmly before getting in a private car.
Visit the State Department Store (Ikh Delguur) not just for supplies. But for its top-floor food hall. It's a warm, busy microcosm of the city. Good for picking up dried curd (aaruul). Watch vendors make fresh khuushuur.
Avoid These Mistakes
Underestimating the cold and dressing in 'city winter' gear. What works in New York or London will leave you miserable. You risk real danger on the open steppe, even on a day trip.
Trying to rent a car and self-drive. Winter road conditions, signage, and the distances between services are extreme. Always hire a car with a local driver.
Planning an itinerary that's all outdoors. You need a balance. Schedule museum time for afternoons. You'll want a break from the elements.
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