When to go · Ulaanbaatar
Ulaanbaatar in December
Avoid month. Deep cold and smog.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Avoid
- Temperature
- −13°C9°F / −23°C−9°F
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 1
- Crowds
- Low
- Mongolia overall
- Prices
- Low
- Mongolia overall
Verdict
Deep cold and smog.
Weather in December
- UlaanbaatarHighs around -13 °C, lows around -23 °C, rain on about 1 dayHighs around 9 °F, lows around −9 °F, rain on about 1 day
- Ulaanbaatar and the centre, Mongolia · Ulaanbaatar, Terelj, Kharkhorin, Orkhon valleysmoke haze
Coldest capital in the world: January averages about −20 °C. Coal and ger-stove smoke make winter air among the worst anywhere Nov–Feb. Summer is 20–28 °C by day with afternoon showers in July–August.Coldest capital in the world: January averages about −4 °F. Coal and ger-stove smoke make winter air among the worst anywhere Nov–Feb. Summer is 68–82 °F by day with afternoon showers in July–August.
Long winter season
Deep cold, snow and ice, quiet museums, Tsagaan Sar in Feb.
Watch: Smog, −20 to −30 °C, ice, closed camps.
Festivals and holidays
Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.
Independence Day
29 December · Citywide
Public holiday; some offices closed.
New Year
31 Dec–1 Jan · Sukhbaatar Square
Lights and fireworks in deep cold; restaurants book out.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Mongolia overall
- Low
- Prices · Mongolia overall
- Low
Mongolia overall: Deep cold and smog; Ulaanbaatar only, with good layers.
What to pack
- A warm coat, hat and gloves for mornings and evenings