Major city · Mongolia
UliastaiУлиастай
Spend 1–2 days in Uliastai: a quick stop to see the nine white stupas, the Manchu fort ruins and the provincial museum.
Uliastai is the capital of Zavkhan province, set in a valley at the edge of desert and forest. Its main sights are clustered near the town centre, so a half‑day covers the stupas and museum, while an extra night lets you explore the ruined Manchu fort and relax by the rivers.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- MNT
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- avoid Nov–Mar (heavy snow, mountain passes closed)
- Airport
- ULZ
- Nights
- 1–2
Not a trip line yet
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.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
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
Emergency numbers for Uliastai102 ▾
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 Uliastai, 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
- SafetyUliastai is generally safe for tourists; keep valuables secure and be cautious on unpaved roads in winter.
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.
- AirportULZ Donoi Airport.
- Getting aroundTown is walkable; taxis from Donoi Airport or for trips to the fort.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee₮5,000–8,000
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi (5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi (3.1 mi (5 km))₮12,000–15,000
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry₮2,000–5,000
- Budget bedUran Baigal budget room, a night, per roomMNT 15,000
- Mid-range bedZavkhan Hotel basic room, a night, per roomMNT 30,000
- High-end bedZavkhan Hotel basic room, a night, per roomMNT 50,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget MNT 30,000 · Mid MNT 45,000 · High MNT 70,000
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
- ULZ Donoi Airport
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−26°C (−15°F)−15°F (−26°C)
Feb
Avoid
−16°C (2°F)2°F (−16°C)
Mar
Avoid
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
Apr
not flagged
1°C (35°F)35°F (1°C)
May
not flagged
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Jun
Best
11°C (51°F)51°F (11°C)
Jul
Best
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Aug
Best
1°C (33°F)33°F (1°C)
Sep
Best
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
Oct
not flagged
−18°C (−1°F)−1°F (−18°C)
Nov
Avoid
−25°C (−13°F)−13°F (−25°C)
Dec
Avoid
−29°C (−20°F)−20°F (−29°C)
Best: Jun–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jun (11°C (51°F)51°F (11°C)), coolest Dec (−16°C (4°F)4°F (−16°C) low), wettest Jun (60 rain days), driest Jan (3). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Uliastai: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−26°C (−15°F)−15°F (−26°C)
−10°C (13°F)13°F (−10°C)
3 rd
Feb
−16°C (2°F)2°F (−16°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
4 rd
Mar
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
9 rd
Apr
1°C (35°F)35°F (1°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
17 rd
May
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
34 rd
Jun
11°C (51°F)51°F (11°C)
25°C (76°F)76°F (25°C)
60 rd
Jul
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
45 rd
Aug
1°C (33°F)33°F (1°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
20 rd
Sep
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
7 rd
Oct
−18°C (−1°F)−1°F (−18°C)
−4°C (24°F)24°F (−4°C)
5 rd
Nov
−25°C (−13°F)−13°F (−25°C)
−13°C (8°F)8°F (−13°C)
4 rd
Dec
−29°C (−20°F)−20°F (−29°C)
−16°C (4°F)4°F (−16°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
Town is walkable; taxis from Donoi Airport or for trips to the fort. No public bus network; arrange a driver‑guide for out‑of‑town sites.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Manchu fort ruins
goDoor to door: 15 min total
Walk or short taxi from town centre, 10 min
Remains of 1733 fortress, accessible year‑round.
Zavkhan provincial museum
goDoor to door: 10 min total
Walk, 5 min from centre
Two museums in one building; check opening hours.
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.
Zavkhan Hotel
Central, restaurant on site; basic rooms.
Altan centre
Close to market, simple amenities.
Bolorjin Hotel and Restaurant
Near river, offers meals.
Uran Baigal
Budget option, walkable to sights.
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
- ₮30,000–45,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- ₮45,000–70,000 excl. bed
- High
- ₮70,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Zavkhan Hotel basic room1 × 1 night × MNT 30,000 | MNT 30,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × MNT 45,000 | MNT 90,000 |
| Donoi Airport taxi (round‑trip)2 × MNT 15,000 · check | MNT 30,000 |
| eSIM data (7 days)2 × MNT 12,000 | MNT 24,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | MNT 17,400 |
| Trip total≈ MNT 95,700 per person per day, bed included | MNT 191,400 |
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | ₮5,000–8,000 |
| Mongolian tea | ₮3,000–5,000 |
| Meal at a local café | ₮8,000–15,000 |
| Taxi (5 km) | ₮12,000–15,000 |
| Museum entry | ₮2,000–5,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Winter road closures make travel difficult; check pass conditions before visiting.
- Museum opening hours may vary seasonally; confirm before arrival.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 102
- Ambulance
- 103
- Fire
- 101
Pocket card
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UliastaiУлиастай
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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Emergency
- Police102
- Ambulance103
- Fire101
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Donoi Airport → town centre (taxi): about ₮15,000 (check)
- Ulaanbaatar bus to Uliastai: ≈ ₮30,000, 9 h (check)
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 Uliastai. 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 (heavy snow, mountain passes closed) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a driver‑guide for a 2‑day loop to the Khangai foothills (check road status).
- Include a night in a ger camp by the river for cultural immersion.
Sources
Ask about Uliastai
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