Things to Do in Ulaanbaatar in November
November weather, activities, events & insider tips
Low Season · Budget Friendly
November Weather in Ulaanbaatar
Long-run averages for November
23°F (-4°C)
High Temp
4°F (-15°C)
Low Temp
0.2 inches (5 mm)
Rainfall
61%
Humidity
1
Sunny-Day UV
⚠ Extreme cold temperatures requiring specialized clothing and preparation.
Is November Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + The winter light here is extraordinary. The low, slanted sun at midday turns the snow-covered steppe into a blinding white sheet. The air is so cold and dry that visibility stretches for 100 km (62 miles) on clear days. You get views of the Bogd Khan mountain range you simply don't get in the summer haze.
- + The city is yours. Tourist crowds have evaporated. You'll find yourself alone in the echoing, incense-scented halls of the Gandan Khiid monastery. Listen to the low chant of the monks at morning prayer without a single other visitor around.
- + This is the season for Mongolia's most visceral cultural experience. Stay in a traditional ger (yurt) with a nomadic family. The fire in the central stove crackles against the deep cold outside. You'll be served a salty, steaming bowl of suutei tsai (milk tea). The silence of the winter steppe at night is absolute. Only the wind breaks it.
- + November sits in a pricing sweet spot. It's after the fleeting, expensive warmth of September. It's before the increase for the Ice Festival and Naadam rehearsals later in winter. Accommodation and domestic flights tend to be more accessible.
Considerations
- − The cold is not a suggestion. It is a physical fact. At 4°F (-15°C) for the low, exposed skin begins to ache within minutes. A misstep in packing can derail an entire outing. Bring insulated mountaineering mitts, not gloves meant for a chilly autumn day.
- − Daylight is a precious commodity. The sun rises around 8 AM and sets before 5 PM. This compresses your sightseeing window. Long day trips to sites like Terelj National Park become a race against the fading light.
- − Some experiences are simply off the table. The paved road to the Genghis Khan Statue Complex remains open. Many unpaved tracks into the deeper countryside become impassable with snow and ice. This limits independent exploration.
Best Activities in November
Top things to do during your visit
Ulaanbaatar in November is a city of stark, crystalline light and deep, penetrating cold. The air is dry and still, with an average high of negative four Celsius, and the last of autumn's brown grasses are often dusted with a fine, granular snow that squeaks underfoot. This is the quiet threshold of Mongolia's long winter, a time when the ger districts on the city's slopes emit steady plumes of coal smoke that carry the scent of burning fuel across the valley. Locals move with purpose, bundled in heavy dels and fur-lined boots, their breath visible in the sharp air as they navigate between the modern glass towers and Soviet-era monuments. For a visitor, November in Ulaanbaatar has a clear, unsentimental view of the capital, where the chill amplifies the warmth found in steamy teahouses and the rich, fatty comforts of the cuisine.
Cooking Class in a Traditional Ger Home in Ulaanbaatar Suburbs
foodA profound escape from the urban chill, transporting you to a heated, felt-lined ger where the air is thick with the aroma of mutton broth and roasting flour. You will feel the texture of handmade dough under your fingers and hear the sizzle of buuz dumplings in a heavy cast-iron pot, learning techniques passed down through generations. This experience connects you to the nomadic heart that still beats just beyond Ulaanbaatar's city limits.
It is a direct, hands-on immersion into the culinary traditions that define Mongolian hospitality and survival.
Insider tip: Wear layers you can remove, as the ger's wood-fired stove generates an intense, welcome heat that contrasts sharply with the November cold outside.
This month: The ger's stove is essential in November, making the interior cozy and the act of cooking a central, warming ritual.
Private tour wth Olivia: Genghis Statue-Turtle Rock-Terelj-Zaisan
private_tourA complete journey through the dramatic landscapes surrounding Ulaanbaatar, from the wind-scoured steppe to granite outcrops dusted with early snow. You will see the colossal stainless steel gleam of the Genghis Khan statue, feel the crunch of frozen earth underfoot at Turtle Rock, and take in the vast, pale panorama from the Zaisan Memorial. The private vehicle provides an important refuge from the biting November wind.
It efficiently links the region's most well-known monuments and natural formations with the comfort and flexibility of a personal guide.
Insider tip: Request a stop at a roadside ger for a bowl of salty suutei tsai (milk tea); the warm, creamy liquid is an important fortification against the cold.
Day Trip to Terelj National Park & Giant Chinggis Khaan Statue
day_tripDelivers the essence of the Mongolian outdoors within reach of the capital. In November, the park's famous turtle-shaped rock formations stand in silent, frost-rimed majesty against a sky of hard blue, and the frozen Tuul River is a silent, white ribbon in the valley. The visit to the towering equestrian statue provides a stark, modern counterpoint to the ancient, sleeping landscape.
It is the most accessible way to witness the imposing scale and serene beauty of the Mongolian countryside as it transitions into winter.
Insider tip: The interior of the statue's complex is heated, offering a chance to warm up while viewing the exhibits before braving the windy observation deck.
Private 3-Day Tour of National Parks From Ulaanbaatar
guided_experienceA deep plunge into the winter silence of the Mongolian wilderness, traveling across steppes where the only sound is the wind humming through frozen grasses. You will sleep in heated ger camps, see the otherworldly rock formations of Gorkhi-Terelj under a thin blanket of snow, and taste hearty stews that simmer for hours over central stoves. This tour reveals the profound stillness and resilience of the land just a short drive from Ulaanbaatar.
It provides an expansive, immersive experience of Mongolia's protected landscapes with the logistical support that makes a winter journey feasible.
Insider tip: Pack a thermos. Your guide can often fill it with hot tea in the morning, a simple luxury that makes long drives in the cold far more comfortable.
Full Day Private Tour in Terelj National Park with Horse Riding
adventurePresents the unique opportunity to experience the park from the back of a sturdy Mongolian horse, whose breath mists in the cold air as it plods through the frosty meadows. You will feel the animal's steady gait beneath you, hear the creak of leather saddlery, and see the landscape from the same perspective as the nomadic herders who call this place home. The November chill adds a layer of authenticity to this timeless mode of travel.
Horse riding in Terelj connects you to the region's cultural bedrock in the most direct and traditional way possible.
Insider tip: Insist on proper winter riding gear provided by the operator, including heavy felt boots and insulated overpants, as the cold is amplified on horseback.
Airport Private Transfer
transportNot merely a ride but a first and last impression of Ulaanbaatar, an easy transition from the plane's cabin into the capital's sub-zero embrace. You will be greeted by a driver holding a sign, bypassing the chaotic taxi queue outside Chinggis Khaan International Airport for the immediate comfort of a warm, waiting vehicle. The drive into the city reveals the large, low-rise outskirts gradually giving way to the clustered skyline of central Ulaanbaatar.
It eliminates the significant stress of arranging transport in an unfamiliar city upon arrival, valuable during the harsh November weather.
Insider tip: Confirm your driver's mobile number in advance. Having direct contact ensures a smooth meet-up if your flight is delayed.
This month: The service is valuable in November, when waiting outside for a taxi is an intensely cold prospect.
Where to Stay in Ulaanbaatar in November
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for November travellers.
Public Holidays in November
Dates that affect opening hours, transport and crowds
Улс тунхагласны өдөр
Known in English as Republic Day. Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
Улс тунхагласны өдөр
Known in English as Republic Day. Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
Улс тунхагласны өдөр
Known in English as Republic Day. Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
Packing Checklist
Bookmark this page — your progress is saved between visits
Need the full list with shopping links?
Climate-specific gear, brand recommendations, and what to leave at home.
View Ulaanbaatar Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
The best 'street food' in November is not on the street. Look for the basement canteens near the State Department Store or small cafeterias around universities. They serve hot, hearty lunches like tsuivan (fried noodle stew) or buuz (steamed dumplings) to locals. The steam fogging up the windows is a welcome sight.
Taxi drivers are less likely to use meters in the cold. Agree on a price before you get in. Use the UBCab app which works like Uber and locks in the fare.
Between 1 PM and 3 PM is your golden window. The sun is at its highest. Temperatures might creep toward the high of -4°C (23°F). It is the most tolerable time for any extended outdoor viewing, like walking around Sükhbaatar Square.
Visit the Naran Tuul Market (the 'Black Market') on a weekday morning. It is far less chaotic than in summer. You can browse the piles of deels (traditional robes), leather saddles, and Soviet antiques without the press of crowds. The smell of diesel heaters and leather hangs in the frozen air.
Avoid These Mistakes
Underestimating the cold and packing a 'winter' coat from a temperate climate. What you wear in New York or London in January will fail you in Ulaanbaatar in November.
Trying to pack too many distant destinations into a short trip. Travel between sites slows down dramatically in winter. Focus on Ulaanbaatar and one or two key day trips.
Assuming card payment is everywhere. Outside of major hotels and some restaurants in the city center, cash (Mongolian tögrög) is king. This is true for markets, taxis, and smaller vendors.
Ready to plan your trip to Ulaanbaatar?
Now that you've got the research covered, here's where to go next.
Explore More Activities in Ulaanbaatar
Didn't see anything interesting yet?
Browse Viator's full catalog of tours, day trips, food experiences, and private guides in Ulaanbaatar.
See All Ulaanbaatar Tours on Viator