Ulaanbaatar is Mongolia`s capital city, a home to at least one third of the nation`s total population of 3 million. It is over elevated around 1500 meters above sea level. Located in the banks of the long river Tuul that runs from East to West, a valley with many pine trees, crested mountain range and gentle hills, Mongolia`s capital is a compact and busily modernizing metropolis. Due to predominant nomadic lifestyle, Mongolians changed the locations and name of the capital city more than 20 times before finally settling in the current location and naming it Ulaanbaatar. The permanent buildings consisted of some one hundred monasteries and temples in the early twentieth century.With the exception of Gandantegchilen (Gandan) monastery, the Choijin Lama temple, the Bogd King Palace, Gesar and Dambadarjaa monasteries, most do not remain today. Three skyscrapers dominate the down town including Shangri-La and Blue sky hotels. Even though Mongolia is in Asia, there is very much a European feel to the capital. Every bit of signage-including huge flashing overhead lights boxed, TV screens and billboards,shopping centers and malls with international brands and local cashmere products are all within reach. The capital city is the hub for international and domestic flights and a major stop on the Trans-Mongolian Railway between Beijing and Moscow.
There are numerous restaurants where you can enjoy all types of foods and cuisine including Mongolian, European, Thai, Korean and Japanese restaurants as well as American grills etc. Variety of dishes are available for vegetarian, gluten free and halal meat consumers. Mongolians are very sociable, and don`t mind to have a drink and enjoy an after-hour leisure. As the working day ends, restaurants and bars pump out a Western and Mongolian music that fills the open-air terraces and beer gardens in the summer.
Recently in heart of the Ulaanbaatar City, Night Street has opened where you can enjoy local music, street food and wandering around during the summer time.
Chinggis Khaan (formerly Buyan-Ukhaa) is the main airport that functions as the hub for domestic and international flights operated by the major airlines that includes MIAT, Korean Air, Air China, Turkish Airline, Aeroflot, Hunnu Air and Aero Mongolia. A new international airport will be completed in 2018 at Khoshig Valley (http://www.nubia.mn/), some 50 km from the city that could open and even wider gate to the World.