Major city · Mongolia
OndorkhaanӨндөрхаан
One night, and only as a break on the Ulaanbaatar–Choibalsan road: the museum is shut, the sights are a park and a monastery, and there is no airport.
Ondorkhaan (renamed Chinggis City in 2013, and still known by the old name) is the capital of Khentii province, about 15,000 people, strung along one 5 km axis on the Kherlen river. It has no working airport, one daily bus from Ulaanbaatar, and a small set of stops: Khan Park, a renovated monastery south of town, a Turkic stone man 7 km out, and a provincial museum that has been closed for repairs for years. Come for one night if the eastern road is your route, or skip it and put the days into the Gobi or Khövsgöl.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- MNT
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- avoid Nov–Mar (down to −30 °C (−22 °F)), and the muddy spring thawavoid Nov–Mar (down to −22 °F (−30 °C)), and the muddy spring thaw
- Airport
- ULN
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 5
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- Mongolia ↗Check entry rules for your passport on the official government e-visa portal; some nationalities enter visa-free for a limited stay, others need an e-visa.
- Mongolia ↗In a ger: step over the threshold (never on it), move clockwise, receive food and drink with the right hand, and do not point your feet at the stove or the altar.
- Mongolia ↗Plan road trips by hours, not kilometres: paved roads are few, and 100 km of dirt track can take three hours.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Ondorkhaan102 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Ondorkhaan, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Mongolian tögrög (MNT, ₮).Mongolia-wide
- SIM or eSIMUnitel, Mobicom, Skytel and G-Mobile sell prepaid SIMs at the airport and in town; bring your passport to register.Mongolia-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.Mongolia-wide
- TippingRestaurants in Ulaanbaatar: Not expected; round up or leave 5–10% in tourist places if no service charge.Mongolia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/E. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Mongolia-wide
- SafetyLow violent crime, but pickpockets work the markets and main shopping street, and drunk people are a real evening problem.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in Ulaanbaatar.Mongolia-wide
- Emergency numbers102 police · 103 ambulance · 101 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidayscheckMuseums often close one or two days a week (usually Monday or Tuesday — check each); many countryside sights and ger camps close mid-October to May…Mongolia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportULN Chinggis Khaan International (Ulaanbaatar) (The nearest working airport; Ondorkhaan's own airfield is not in service.
- Getting aroundThe town is about 5 km (3.1 mi) long and most people walk it.The town is about 3.1 mi (5 km) long and most people walk it.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a coffee shop₮5,000–9,000
- Beerbar or shop₮4,000–8,000
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi in townabout ₮500/km
- Budget bedGuesthouse or shared room, a night, per personMNT 20,000
- Mid-range bedHotel double room, a night, per roomMNT 90,000
- High-end bedHotel double room, a night, per roomMNT 150,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget MNT 45,000 · Mid MNT 85,000 · High MNT 150,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- ULN Chinggis Khaan International (Ulaanbaatar) (The nearest working airport; Ondorkhaan's own airfield is not in service. Then 5–6 h by road.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−16°C (4°F)4°F (−16°C)
Feb
Avoid
−9°C (15°F)15°F (−9°C)
Mar
Avoid
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
Apr
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
May
not flagged
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jun
Best
25°C (78°F)78°F (25°C)
Jul
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Aug
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Sep
Best
19°C (67°F)67°F (19°C)
Oct
not flagged
10°C (49°F)49°F (10°C)
Nov
Avoid
−4°C (26°F)26°F (−4°C)
Dec
Avoid
−14°C (7°F)7°F (−14°C)
Best: Jun–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)), coolest Jan (−29°C (−21°F)−21°F (−29°C) low), wettest Jul (63 rain days), driest Jan (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Ondorkhaan: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−16°C (4°F)4°F (−16°C)
−29°C (−21°F)−21°F (−29°C)
2 rd
Feb
−9°C (15°F)15°F (−9°C)
−26°C (−15°F)−15°F (−26°C)
2 rd
Mar
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
−16°C (4°F)4°F (−16°C)
3 rd
Apr
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
−4°C (24°F)24°F (−4°C)
6 rd
May
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
18 rd
Jun
25°C (78°F)78°F (25°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
44 rd
Jul
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
63 rd
Aug
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
57 rd
Sep
19°C (67°F)67°F (19°C)
3°C (38°F)38°F (3°C)
24 rd
Oct
10°C (49°F)49°F (10°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
9 rd
Nov
−4°C (26°F)26°F (−4°C)
−18°C (0°F)0°F (−18°C)
4 rd
Dec
−14°C (7°F)7°F (−14°C)
−27°C (−16°F)−16°F (−27°C)
3 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The town is about 5 km long and most people walk it. Taxis are common: a stand in front of the West Market, or flag one from the roadside. The rate is about ₮500/km — check. Meekers (vans) and taxis to other cities leave from the stand in front of 4th school near the sports complex.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Turkic balbal stone man
goDoor to door: 1.5–2 h
Taxi or a long walk 7 km (4.3 mi) southwest, past the old airfield; look for the blue khadagsTaxi or a long walk 4.3 mi (7 km) southwest, past the old airfield; look for the blue khadags
A carved Turkic-era figure in open steppe. Leave a small offering of food or money.
Buddhist monastery south of town
goDoor to door: 1–1.5 h
Walk or taxi across the Kherlen river bridge, west side
Renovated and walled in white; the most substantial building in the area.
Bulgan Mountain
cautionDoor to door: Half a day
Driver-guide only; rough tracks, no signage
Holy to Mongolians and near the Genghis Khan birthplace area. Do not go without a local driver.
Ulaanbaatar
overnightDoor to door: 6–7 h
Daily bus from the post office, 08:00, about 5–6 hDaily bus from the post office, 8:00 AM, about 5–6 h
One bus a day; buy the ticket the day before.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Khan Park and main street
Hotels Ezent Guren and Khanburged, the museum, the park and most guanzs within a 10-minute walk. Best for one night without a car.
Eastern Highway (Temuujin Hotel)
The tallest building in town, with the Sky Lounge on top; a 15-minute walk from the park, quieter, and pricier.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₮40,000–70,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- ₮70,000–120,000 excl. bed
- High
- ₮120,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hotel double room1 × 1 night × MNT 90,000 | MNT 90,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × MNT 85,000 | MNT 170,000 |
| Bus Ulaanbaatar → Ondorkhaan, one way2 × MNT 25,000 | MNT 50,000 |
| Taxi, town average day2 × MNT 10,000 | MNT 20,000 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × MNT 25,000 | MNT 50,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | MNT 38,000 |
| Trip total≈ MNT 209,000 per person per day, bed included | MNT 418,000 |
2026 estimate in tögrög; long-distance transport excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Guanz meal (buuz or huushuur) | ₮6,000–12,000 |
| Coffee at a coffee shop | ₮5,000–9,000 |
| Beer, bar or shop | ₮4,000–8,000 |
| Buryat boots, handmade pair | about ₮60,000 |
| Taxi in town | about ₮500/km |
| Taxi Ondorkhaan → Ulaanbaatar, small car | ₮30,000–45,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Pickpockets, including children, in the markets and the main shopping street.
- Drunk people in the evening: keep distance and do not engage.
- The Ethno Museum of Khentii has been closed for repairs since around 2018 with no reopening date — check before you count on it.
- Winter runs to −30 °C (−22 °F); summer nights still drop near 10 °C (50 °F).Winter runs to −22 °F (−30 °C); summer nights still drop near 50 °F (10 °C).
- The bus from Ulaanbaatar fills up: buy the day before, or you may sit on a stool in the aisle.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 102
- Ambulance
- 103
- Fire
- 101
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
OndorkhaanӨндөрхаан
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Энэ хаягаар явна ууTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police102
- Ambulance103
- Fire101
Embassy
No embassies in Ondorkhaan; go to Ulaanbaatar for consular help.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Ulaanbaatar → Ondorkhaan: about ₮25,000, 5–6 h, 08:00 departureabout ₮25,000, 5–6 h, 8:00 AM departure
- Taxi Ondorkhaan → Ulaanbaatar: ₮30,000–45,000 per car
- Taxi in town: about ₮500/km
Say or show
- Сайн байна уу — Hello (sain baina uu)
- Баярлалаа — Thank you (bayarlalaa)
- Хэд вэ? — How much is it? (khed ve)
- Автобусны буудал хаана байна? — Where is the bus station? (avtobusny buudal khaana baina)
- Надад тусламж хэрэгтэй — I need help (nadad tuslamj kheregtei)
Town is small; most addresses are landmarks, not street numbers. Show the driver the Mongolian name.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Ondorkhaan. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Sep · avoid Nov–Mar (down to −30 °C), and the muddy spring thaw · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares