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Ulaanbaatar

Ulaanbaatar (Улаанбаатар) — also Ulan Bator, UB, or in the local language, Khot ("the city") — is the capital and the largest city of Mongolia. With more than 1.6 million residents as of 2023, Ulaanbaatar is home to roughly half of Mongolia's population and serves as the starting point for pretty much all travel to Mongolia.

Founded and established by warlords of the Mongol Empire in the 16th century, Ulaanbaatar is roughly 1,300-1,400 meters above sea level and is situated on a valley in the Tuul River.

Ulaanbaatar is a modern and clean city populated with beautiful landmarks such as the Green Palace, universities such as the National University of Mongolia, fancy skyscrapers, hotels, monasteries, museums, and malls showcasing local and international brands. A number of national parks and protected areas (the Gorkhi-Terelj National Park being the most popular one) belong to the city.

Due to its high elevation and distance from any major body of water, Ulaanbaatar has the onerous distinction of being the world's coldest capital city. Ulaanbaatar winters are notorious for being harsh, dry, and bitterly cold; winter temperatures range from -20° to -50° Celsius.

Understand
Ulaanbaatar has many different and distinct layers. Long gone are the days when this city was just a typical, drab Soviet-bloc town in the middle of nowhere. One can witness the traditional, the Soviet, and the super-modern, all within a 5 minute walk through the city.

Ulaanbaatar lies in the Altan Tevshiin Kundii (Valley of the Golden Cradle). Here the rivers Selbe and Tuul meet at the foot of the imposing Bogd Uul Mountain. In the forested and watered zone of northern Mongolia, it resides near the 2,000-year-old royal tombs of the Xiongnu, the 8th-century Turkic inscription of General Tonyukuk, and the birthplace of Genghis Khan. From the 20,000-year-old Paleolithic settlement on the Zaisan monument to the 12th century palace of the Nestorian Christian monarch Toghrul, there is a lot to learn and discover about this deep first layer of Ulaanbaatar.

The second layer is the Urga or Örgöö of 1639-1778 — what would become Ulaanbaatar was established as a nomadic monastic center for the spiritual leader Zanabazar in 1639 — 230 kilometres (143 miles) southwest of today's Ulaanbaatar. The monastic center moved repeatedly and eventually settled at its present location in 1778, along a trading route between Russia and China. This mobile monastery era survives today as cultural forms (Genghisid memory, Mongolian temple architecture, wooden-fenced ger districts, Mongolian script, and Buddhism, traditional clothing, festivals, wrestling, music), and as physical artifacts kept in museums (Zanabazar masterpieces).

The third layer is the late Qing dynasty Urga of 1778-1924 which can be found in surviving buildings such as the Gandan monastery.

The fourth layer is the socialist period of 1924-1990 which saw the destruction of temples, the confiscation of private property, and Stalinist purges, but also the emergence of Mongolia as a modern, independent nation with Ulaanbaatar as its showcase. It was in this period that the city was named Ulaanbaatar khot, literally "Red Hero City".

The fifth layer, corresponding to the decade of the 1990s, was a stagnant period marked by poverty and bread lines which left a poor impression on the few visitors who passed through the city after its opening from communism.

The newest sixth layer is the Ulaanbaatar of 2000 to the present, which saw the city over double in size to its current 1.6 million. However, while the center now has glittery skyscrapers, fashion boutiques and epic traffic jams, many poor migrants huddle in ger (yurt) districts on the outskirts of the city without basic amenities like running water and sewage. The residents of the ger districts have effectively become refugees in their own country, as the government has attempted to clamp down on rural-to-urban migration by not allowing new arrivals to register in the city, thus depriving them of the ability to access healthcare, employment and education in some instances.

Orientation
Peace Avenue (Enkh Taivny Örgön Chölöö) is the main street, stretching from east to west through the center with shopping and restaurants all along it. This street dates back to old Urga when it was called the Chölöö (Broad Avenue). The Chinese financed its paving in the 1950s. The street passes by the southern edge of the central square, Sükhbaatar Square, which has roots in the central square of old Urga. The tourist information office is in the south flank of the town hall in the western corner of Chinggis Square.

The city center is defined by the Ikh Toiruu (Great Ring Road) which has its origin in the prayer route of pilgrims circling the central temple-palace complex of Urga. Peace Avenue crosses the middle of the ring road horizontally while the southern part of the ring road is the Narnii Zam road ("Road of the Sun" built with Japanese support). South of the Narni Zam road is the affluent southern part of Ulaanbaatar with luxury apartments lining the Tuul River.

Ger districts line the northern part of the city center and stretch 7 km north to the Dambadarjaalin Monastery built in 1765. North of Dambadarjaalin Monastery starts the Zuslan or summer vacation area, where charming summer houses stretch 14 km to Khandgait.

Many families in Ulaanbaatar have a zuslan building (similar to Russian dachas) where they spend the summer among the forests and natural scenery of the Selbe river valley. Some herding families graze their horses and cows freely in this area. The scenery gets more dramatic going east towards the Terelj area with big rock formations and wildflower valleys. Tours go past Terelj to the 1740 Gunjiin Sum Princess Temple and the Khagiin Khar lake.

The southern edge of Ulaanbaatar is marked by its boundary with the town of Zuunmod on the south side of the Bogd Uul mountain. The 1778 shrine of Tsetsee Gun on the peak and the 1747 ruins of the Manjusri Monastery are on top of the mountain. South of the mountain starts an endless sea of grassland steppe gradually merging into the Gobi Desert 300 km south of UB. Day trips to the east include the Tsonjin Boldog Genghis Khan Statue. Day trips to the west include the Hustai Nuruu National Park, Aglag Meditation Center and Ögii Lake.

History
At the time when Ulaanbaatar was founded as Urga in 1639 by Genghisid nobles, Mongolia was actually a serious contender for power in East Asia. The last Great Khan, Ligdan, had died in 1634, and Manchus were rising in the east — but the independent Mongols had been revitalized by a Buddhist renaissance in the 1570s, and raids under Altan Khan were carried out as far afield as Beijing. A firmer union of the Western Oirats and Eastern Genghisids would have sufficed to fend off the Manchus. The 1640 Mongol-Oirat Code of Law united the East and West, but this union failed to last long. What did survive from this period was the union of the Eastern Mongols cemented in 1639 with the founding of Urga. The Mongol nobles installed one of their own, Zanabazar, the son of Tüsheet Khan Gombodorj (1594-1655) and a direct descendant of Genghis Khan, as the supreme lama of the Mongols. His residence, called Örgöö or Urga, meaning "palace-yurt", was some 250 km west of the current site of the city, near the ancient Mongol capital of Karakorum. In 1651, the first Jebtsundamba Khutughtu, Zanabazar, returned from studies in Tibet and established seven monastic departments in Urga. The mobile monastery gradually became a mobile city, moving every few years as needed. Urga was moved 25 times between its founding in 1639 and settling in its current location in 1778, by which time it had several thousand tents and temples and was served by trade routes from China and Russia. It was also estimated to have about 10,000 monks. The Gandan Monastery was established in 1809 and became the center of learning for all of Mongolia, and one of the most important monasteries in Tibetan Buddhism.

The city continued to grow through the 19th century as a provincial capital of the Qing Empire and a center of religion and trade. Russian influence in Mongolia became significant in the late 18th century, and a two-story Russian consulate was opened in 1865 as an upgrade from the 18th century wooden quarters of the Russian representative. Mongolia was, in practice, a buffer between Russia and China, with plenty of local autonomy through the Bogd Jebtsundamba and Mongolian nobles.

In 1911, the 8th Bogd Khan declared independence from China, leading to a long unstable period in the city's history including an occupation by a Chinese warlord in 1919. However, the Chinese were expelled by the White Russian Roman von Ungern-Sternberg, aka the "Mad Baron", in 1921. This forced the Soviet Union to intervene and set up a puppet state in what was then known as Outer Mongolia. The country was nominally independent but essentially a satellite state of the USSR. In 1924, the city's name changed from Urga to Ulaanbaatar ("Red Hero"). Many of the monasteries and temples were destroyed in the religious purges of the 1930s.

Following the end of the Second World War, the old ger districts were largely cleared for Soviet-style city apartments, offices, and factories. The Trans-Mongolian Railway was completed in 1956, connecting Ulaanbaatar to Beijing and Moscow. Gandan Monastery was reopened during a visit by US Vice President Henry Wallace in 1944, when he asked to see a monastery.

Since the democratic revolution in 1990, the population of the city has almost tripled from 540,600 (1989) to 1.6 million (2020) - with thousands moving in from the countryside. The commercial and residential real estate sectors have boomed since 2000, though large factories have closed and much of the city still lives in the slum-like ger districts.

Climate
Although summer day temperatures can be around 20°C, the city shivers in sub-zero temperatures for five months of the year. January and February are the coldest months, with temperatures hovering between -15°C to -30°C at night. As a result of these prolonged periods of intense cold, the city has an average annual temperature of −0.4°C (31.3 °F), giving it the dubious distinction of being the world's coldest capital. The cold is dry, however, and there is not much wind chill due to temperature inversion. Heat island effect also means the city center is warmer than the outskirts. Summer can be very hot at times, so one should avoid heat stress and use sunscreen when necessary.

If you have breathing problems, be aware that Ulaanbaatar has high levels of air pollution during the winter. However, away from the city, the countryside air is gorgeous. In winter, air pollution starts at 19:00, when ger district residents start burning coal for heat, and lasts till about 10:00 the next morning. It is severe in northern parts of the city close to the ger districts, but gets sparse going south from Chinggis Square and is almost absent near Zaisan, at the southern edge of the city where there are no ger districts. The air pollution lifts in early March and the city remains pollution-free (excluding car exhaust) until November.

By plane

Getting to the airport takes about 50-100 minutes depending on traffic. Public transport buses run from 5 AM to midnight, but taxis and the new Ulaanbaatar Airport shuttle are more reliable. Taxis cost a steep 85,000-120,000 ₮ depending on your destination, be sure to agree on the price in advance. The Ulaanbaatar Airport Shuttle costs 20,000 MNT - 30,000 MNT depending on the size of the shuttle.

By train
Direct (if long) journeys are possible from destinations between Moscow and Beijing on the Trans-Mongolian line of the Trans-Siberian Railway. Ulaanbaatar-bound trains leave Beijing once a week, on Wednesday, and seats can only be reserved at the International Hotel in Beijing, a ten-minute walk north of the main rail station. The journey takes about 30 hours. Packing a face mask is a good idea as sandstorms in the Gobi desert may cause difficulty in breathing. Shorter-haul trains also run to the Chinese border towns of Erlian and Jining 3-4 times a week. Ulaanbaatar's is on Narni Zam road, about 3 km west of the city centre. The cheapest option is the daily 18:05 departure to Zamyn Uud on the Mongolian side of the Chinese border. You can buy a connecting bus ticket from Zamyn Uud to Erlian on the Chinese side for 10000₮ in the railway office in Ulaanbaatar. After COVID-19 related suspending for 3 years, train service between China and Mongolia was restored, but only between Ulaanbaatar and Erenhot.

In Moscow, trains to Ulaanbaatar depart Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays (the latter two are express runs), for a journey that lasts 100 hours or a little over 4 days. There's also a daily train to/from Irkutsk, which can also be reached from Vladivostok at the eastern end of the Trans-Siberian.

By car
What few paved roads exist in Mongolia generally go to and from Ulaanbaatar. Thus, getting to UB from elsewhere in Mongolia on a paved road is very easy, because all you have to do is just follow the pavement. However, if you're driving one of the dirt tracks that characterize the majority of the country's road network, it pays to have a map.

Coming from the north, the paved road starts at the Russian border at Sühbaatar. Coming from the south, the paved road starts at the Chinese border at Zamyn-Üüd, passing through the vast Gobi Desert along the way. Coming from the northeast, the paved road starts at Bulgan. Finally, from the west, the road starts in either Bayanhongor in the southwest or Tsetserleg further north.

By bus
Once in the country, it should not be difficult to find a bus going to UB, at least from larger towns. However, bus stops are difficult to locate, with buses usually just stopping in populated areas. Furthermore, Mongolian buses are notorious for being late — in some cases by a day or more. Buses from Russia, the west, north and south usually go to Dragon Center, while those from China and the east go to Bayanzurkh bus station, just east of the Officer Monument at the east end of Peace Avenue.

 * Expect long journeys. The 600km kilometre journey to Murun takes 12-14 hours, and when you look on Google Maps it seems you have barely moved from Ulaanbaatar, given the size of the country.

From Russia, there are also UB-bound buses from Ulan Ude, leaving at 07:30 from the old bus station (Старый Автовокзал) via the Altanbulag border crossing. The trip usually takes about 12 hours, including customs processing — much faster than the train — and tickets cost ₽1800 one-way. Night buses leave on Fridays and Sundays at 19:00. Buses arrive and depart from the Dragon Bus station. Any travel agency should be able to book tickets or you can buy them at either bus station.

Get around
Street names are rarely known by Mongolians, and they usually only appear on maps and official addresses. Official addresses list the district, microdistrict (usually a large block bounded by major streets), and the building number. However, since blocks can have dozens of buildings, with more continuously being squeezed in between existing ones, addresses are not very helpful for navigation. Instead, it's best to have directions for major landmarks using lots of descriptions (i.e. "turn right at the first traffic signal west of the State Department Store"). Some major streets to know are Peace Avenue, UB's main road which runs west-to-east in front of Chinggis Square; Chinggis Boulevard, running north-to-south on the east side of the square, then veering west toward the airport in front of Bogd Khan Winter Palace; and Seoul Street, which runs west from Chinggis Boulevard just south of Chinggis Square.

By taxi
If you stand in the street and hold out your arm, usually within seconds somebody will have stopped to pick you up. This system can be quick and reliable, especially during the cold winter, but it can cause problems as many drivers will only speak Mongolian. Taxis are cheap: the going rate is around 1000₮ per kilometer, but if you're a foreigner, they'll overcharge you and there's really no way to get around it completely. (In extreme circumstances, opportunistic younger drivers have been known to try to hold passengers or their luggage at ransom until they pay extraordinary amounts of money!) A good tip is to carry a small written note with an amount in tögrög (500₮, 1000₮, 1500₮, etc.) and show them exactly what you are willing to pay before you get on. If the driver does not seem aggressive, you can get yourself out of this situation by knowing a few local words - particularly yes, no, and any numbers. Remember, even if you pay 4000 tögrög for a journey, though this is a higher fare than a local would pay, it is still only just over $1. So use your judgement.

The current price of gasoline is $5/gallon, 3710₮/litre, so you can judge whether some of these prices are realistic given market conditions.

UB also now has a fleet of new white cabs with large LCD-screen fare meters on the dash. Always negotiate the fare in advance, don't be fooled by tricks like "I meant 3000₮ for each of you", and avoid random cars that offer taxi service.

 * Download UBCab to order taxis quickly to your location. You do not enter the destination into the app, but simply order the cab and then instruct the driver where to go once you get in.
 * Download UBCab to order taxis quickly to your location. You do not enter the destination into the app, but simply order the cab and then instruct the driver where to go once you get in.
 * Download UBCab to order taxis quickly to your location. You do not enter the destination into the app, but simply order the cab and then instruct the driver where to go once you get in.

By bus
Buses in UB come in several different varieties. At the top of the scale, regularly scheduled municipal buses operate on a widespread network that extends right to the outskirts of town, for a flat rate of 500₮. As well, there's an almost equally extensive network of microbuses charging from 300-500₮, distinguished by a person hanging out the window at each stop and shouting the name of the destination in rapid-fire Mongolian. Finally, there is also a cheaper (300₮) but slower and less extensive network of electric trolleybuses. To use the municipal and trolleybuses you need a U card, which can be purchased at many kiosks and shops for 3000₮. You load credit and touch it to the reader when entering the bus. If you touch it on the reader when getting off you can get a second ride for free if you board within 30 minutes.

As in any city, be wary of pickpockets on the buses, especially when the buses are crowded.

By foot
Within the quite compact city center, walking is a viable option. Ulaanbaatar stretches from east to west along the aforementioned Peace Avenue, making navigating the center a cinch. Outside the center, in the ger districts, it's a different story entirely: a good city map, available at the airport or the Mongolian Government Map Shop, is a must if you plan to go off the beaten path. You'll find the map shop directly on the Ikh Toiruu ring road: head west three blocks from the State Department Store, then turn right (north) at the first traffic light and proceed for about half a block. The Map Shop is behind the blue and yellow Elba Appliance store.

See
Most tourist sites have a separate camera/video fee (typically 5000-10,000₮) in addition to the entrance fee.

Monasteries

Monuments and memorials

Despite news about the removal of Lenin's statue, Ulaanbaatar still boasts a wealth of other interesting statues and public art beyond what's mentioned above. Prominently, former Communist leaders Choibalsan and Tsedenbal are memorialized north of the Government House, as is Sanjaasürengiin Zorig, leader of the 1990 democratic revolution, at a location southwest of Chinggis Square. There are also many lesser-known statues scattered through the city: there's a bust of Stalin inside a beer garden south of Chinggis Square, some old Soviet murals on the side of apartment buildings north of the Bogd Khan Winter Palace, and you'll even see The Beatles and the villain from the movie Predator holding court in front of the State Department Store and in front of a small office building 100 m northeast of there, respectively.

Outdoors

 * Bogd Uul, the mountain ridge south of town, is a great place for a hike. To get there, take the #7, #33 or #43 bus from in front of the Bayangol Hotel to the south end of the line. From there, the road continues south about 100 m, whereupon you'll come to a checkpoint. Proceed, bear left when the road forks, and you'll soon find yourself in a ger camp with a small stream flowing north. This is where the hiking path itself begins, on the left (east) side of the stream. At the top of the ridge, veer west and proceed through the woods for an easy amble of about two or three hours (you'll come to a high point about 500 m past the turn). At the end of that stretch, you have the option of either branching off to the west or else continuing straight and slightly east to Bogd Uul Mountain (this path is marked with orange paint marks on the trees). That part of the trip is quite long — about 10 km one-way — and more challenging, with varying elevations.

Miscellaneous

 * Get an inexpensive massage at one of the many massage spas on Peace Avenue.

Learn
The (ACMS) provides in-depth insight via an academic approach into Mongolian culture. The center has a study room and library of Mongolia-related material, with Internet access. It is on the campus of the Mongolian National University, on the third floor of Building #5.

As well, there are several Mongolian-language schools throughout the city.

On Facebook look for various learning clubs or English-learning local clubs offering local meetups and you may attend some of them to learn local culture or to participate in interesting local activities.

Buy

Cash is becoming less and less common, with many shops, eateries, and even street vendors and taxi drivers accepting bank transfer (using SMS or banking apps), QR code payment (multiple systems in use), and debit/credit cards. As a visitor, have cash and a paywave-enabled card.

It's relatively easy to find an ATM to withdraw cash. Most ATMs accept foreign credit and debit cards to withdraw tögrög (the local currency) as long as you have informed your bank ahead of time as to your Mongolian travel plans; most will charge you a foreign currency conversion fee of about 3%. Besides Visa, other card types are also accepted, but not as widely: for example, the machines in the Central Post Office and along the main street will not accept foreign MasterCards, although they bear the logo. The only ATM that accepts Cirrus cards is the one at the airport.

UB also has many banks and exchange offices where tögrög can be obtained. Golomt and TDB are the most reliable banks for currency exchange, the former of which can give up to US$500 per day cash advance on MasterCard and Visa and also accepts American Express. Exchange offices can mainly be found along Peace Avenue in the city center, including one on the ground floor of the State Department Store. However, you'll find better rates at the one on the second floor of the Flower Center, on Peace Avenue one block west of the Post Office. Lastly, major hotels like the Ulaanbaatar Hotel will exchange money 24/7 at the reception, which may be your only option if you arrive very late in the day. Keep in mind that you'll need a form of ID to exchange foreign currency - a passport will do.

See Mongolia for exchange rates for the tögrög.

Souvenir shops
Ulaanbaatar has a host of souvenir shops aimed at both Western and East Asian tourists, mostly along Peace Avenue west of Chinggis Square. Traditional clothes, boots and hats, cashmere garments, jewelry, leather wall hangings, miniature gers, bow-and-arrow sets, and paintings are among the typical inventory. While the quality of the goods varies, prices are usually high.

Eat
Ulaanbaatar has a good range of options serving Mongolian, Asian (particularly Korean and Chinese), and Western cuisine — and at decent prices. For instance, you can get perfectly good pizza for 5000₮, and even a night out at a fancy French cafe shouldn't pass 30,000₮. Consider splurging on a couple of good meals here, especially if you're headed for a long trek into the country where fresh vegetables and the like are often hard to come by and prohibitively expensive. Best of all, UB's rapidly growing wealth has meant a steady procession of ever newer, ever higher-quality restaurants, as well as the appearance of international chains like KFC, Round Table Pizza, and Cinnabon.

Vegan
Mongolia's Buddhist history means that vegan and vegetarian restaurants are plentiful, and quality is high. Traditional Mongolian foods like buuz (steamed dumplings) and khushuur (fried dumplings) have vegan versions available at vegan restaurants; if you have dietary restrictions, you won't have to miss out on traditional food. In the city centre around the Sukhbaatar Square

Budget
Throughout Ulaanbaatar are many small canteens (Гуанз) and coffeeshops (Цайны Газар). Try one of these for cheap Mongolian food. Buuz usually costs 400-600₮. As well, most universities (particularly the Mongolian National University and the Mongolian University of Science and Technology) have good cheap cafeterias with meals from 1800₮ to about 2500₮.

Khaan Buuz (Хаан Бууз) serves up set meals of Mongolian favorites (buuz is a Mongolian meat dumpling) from 5000₮, just look for the lime green facades.

CU and GS25 are ubiquitous Korean-style convenience stores that offer good cheap fast food and eating space at their stores; prices range from 2000-8500₮. Be circumspect of frozen foods, check for freezer burn, and products tainted from power failures and spoilage.

Splurge
It's hard to spend outrageous sums of money eating out in Ulaanbaatar: the most expensive meals in the city will be around 60,000₮ a person. That is, unless you're drinking: whiskey or any other non-vodka liquors can be a bit pricey.
 * Caucasia: Just behind the circus. Serving Armenian and Georgian cuisine. Excellent quality.
 * Chojin: In front of the Chojin Lama Museum on the ground floor of an office building. Serves a small but excellent selection of Mediterranian dishes. Very popular business dinner location for the locals. Reservation recommended.
 * Hana Japanese Restaurant. On Chinggis Avenue next to the National Library, on the first floor of an office building. Impossible to spot from the outside, just go in and ask at the reception. You get advised to follow a fire security stairway up. Despite the non-glamorous arrival, the Hana is a high-end Japanese restaurant. Elegant atmosphere. Excellent Japanese dishes including udon soups, sushi and barbecue. Meals up to 30.000 T. Including starters and drinks, be prepared to spend 50.000-60.000 T.
 * Zoma
 * Route 22
 * Veranda
 * Namaste
 * Torres
 * Zoma
 * Route 22
 * Veranda
 * Namaste
 * Torres
 * Torres

Bars
Nightlife in Ulaanbaatar is surprisingly wild, especially on Wednesday, Saturday, and (above all) Friday nights, when finding a seat is nearly impossible. If you like raving the night away to trance, techno, electronica, and house music, this is the scene for you. Beer in clubs costs about 3500₮, while other drinks such as vodka are sold by quantity: for example a 100g vodka costs about 4500₮. According to state law, all clubs and pubs (bars) must stop serving alcohol after midnight and close at 03:00, but some clubs stay open (and continue serving!) until 04:00. On the other hand, the prohibition against serving alcohol on the 1st of each month is universally adhered to, even if it falls on a weekend.

Especially after dark, and especially on the aforementioned three busiest days of the week, it's best to go out clubbing in groups rather than alone: not only will you be less likely to run afoul of shady characters, but authorities take a hard line against public intoxication, and the Mongolian drunk tank is not a pleasant place to be. As well, the clubs in the 3rd district and the Sansar microdistrict are best avoided. Be sure to apologize if you hit someone or step on their feet accidentally, because this is a rather considerable breach of local etiquette. If you step on someones feet accidentally, offer to shake their hand. This is Mongolian custom, and will also win you praise and respect amongst locals.

If clubbing isn't your thing, UB also has its share of more sedate pubs to choose from.

Cafes
Ulaanbaatar's coffee scene is exploding, with multiple Korean coffee chains as well as more boutique offerings available throughout the city.

Sleep
During the annual Naadam festival in July, it's almost impossible to get any kind of accommodation in UB without prior reservations.

Budget
Nowadays, budget accommodation in Ulaanbaatar tends to give the best deals for a traveller. Usually a bed in a clean dormitory costs US$5-10 and a double room should be under US$30 a night.

Beyond what's listed below, another option for budget travellers who want a taste of authentic Mongolian culture yet are in a hurry or don't want to do longer trekking trips is a ger homestay with a herder family living in the countryside outside UB. Usually it is possible to participate in their daily life, e.g. milking cows or chopping wood. Horseback riding might be offered as well. Some travel agencies are able to establish contact with families, including Stone Horse Mongolia and Ger to Ger.

Mid-range
Ulaanbaatar has plenty of options for budget travellers and big spenders, but not so much for those in the middle.

Connect
On Peace Avenue at the southwest corner of Chinggis Square, Ulaanbaatar's not only sells stamps but also a wide variety of reasonably priced postcards (though they may take up to two months to reach their destination!) Also check out their large collections of decorative stamps.

Mobile phone operators around town offer prepaid GSM SIM cards, handset rentals (Mobicom), and extensive roaming options. As well, prepaid cards such as BodiCom are another convenient and relatively inexpensive way to make an international call.

Internet cafes are scattered around the city; the going rate is about 400-800₮ per hour. Also, many restaurants and coffeehouses offer free WiFi.

Crime
While crime rates in Ulaanbaatar are said to be among the highest of any Asian city, this generally applies less to the city center than the underdeveloped ger districts on the outskirts of town: poorly lit shantytowns crisscrossed by maze-like dirt alleys and row upon row of fences; not the kind of place most tourists would be interested in to begin with. Nonetheless, it might be a good idea to avoid going out at night alone (though it's usually perfectly fine to do so in groups). This goes double for relatively deserted areas away from major routes, and for rowdy nightlife districts. Although most large buildings have security guards, they're only there to keep drunks and homeless people out, so don't expect much help from them if a crime is committed against you.

Unfortunately, xenophobia and violence towards foreigners is common. Alcoholism is a huge social problem and Mongolia has some of the highest rates of liver cancer in the world. Do not acknowledge or approach any Mongolian man under the influence of alcohol. Many foreigners who go to bars and clubs at night report assault and general aggression.

While muggings, assaults, and taxi scams all occasionally occur, the main crime for foreigners to be concerned about is pickpocketing. This is especially a problem at the Naran Tuul market, at the bus stops close to the State Department Store, and on crowded buses in general. If you've been attacked or pickpocketed, take time to make a deposition at the district police station, and let your country's embassy know.

Though unmarked taxis are common and generally nothing to fear, it's probably a good idea to get a local to serve as an interpreter and explain the fare system, and to keep an eye on where the taxi is taking you. Sometimes unmarked taxi drivers will try to take people, especially drunk tourists, down a dark alley and demand their cell phone or cash.

Hotel scams
Vacation home hosting is common in UB, foreign investors, locals, and real estate developers list available apartments on the usual booking sites. The frequency of fraud or crime with these listings is probably just as common as in established hotels elsewhere in the world, but there are some additional things to look out for, when an established hotel might seem to otherwise provide safety in numbers.

Vacation rentals might be apartments in locations that have been caused to be otherwise unliveable due to nuisance conditions created with the intention of driving tenants or owners out. New construction in some areas is shoddy with thin walls and no privacy, projects are colonized by organized criminals gangs, retail spaces nearby might be venues for organized trafficking in persons. New buildings as elsewhere in Asia, are liable to be financed by organized crime groups from the usual places, largely unoccupied, unsecured and wholly thrown open for arbitrary use within international trafficking rings.

Irregular hotels operated by noncitizens may be located in mixed use buildings or apartment complexes with persistent crime presence. In areas with high methamphetamine drug use, it might be difficult even to determine the nature or intent of the criminal actors.

Road and traffic hazards
Walking on the streets at any time is a hazardous affair, as there are open manholes, reckless drivers, and (from October to March) ice on the roads to contend with. The automobile culture in UB is too new for safe driving systems and habits to have taken root among the public: if you're crossing the street, even at a designated crosswalk and even if in theory you have the right of way, don't expect anyone (even buses and police) to stop or even slow down for you. You will get honked and shouted at, however.

Child beggars
This is a common sight on the streets of UB that may tug at the heartstrings of well-off Western tourists, but the reality is a bit more complicated than it may appear. Any money you give will often go straight into the pockets of their teenage "pimps", so your donation may not help the kids. It also pays to be on your guard when they operate in groups, as this is often a setup for a pickpocketing operation.

Children and the elderly are frequently present in the areas where organized prostitution is taking place. Sex trafficking in Asia invariably involves call centers, and often family members or fellow travelers, taking direction from a handler in related crime activities. The objective is to obtain money, it is not to sell sex.

General
In winter, be mindful of the cold at all times. Even being outside for a couple of minutes in -35 can cause problems very, very quickly.

In bars, many people may want to approach you and talk to you out of interest. This is usually well-meaning, though it can be annoying. As a general rule, the more drunk a person will be, the more annoying they will be too. If you are open to conversation, then go ahead. Mongolians are interesting and interested, and it can lead to great connections, memories and stories. However, remember to be wary.

Some Mongolian men do not take too kindly to foreign men speaking to Mongolian women (especially young women). Be wary of this, especially in busy bars, and where copious amounts of alcohol is involved.

Newspapers
The weekly UB Post is the principal English-language source for cultural, economic, and political goings-on in Mongolia.

Embassies

 * 🇦🇺 Australia
 * 🇨🇦 Canada
 * 🇨🇳 China
 * 🇨🇺 Cuba
 * 🇨🇿 Czech Republic
 * 🇫🇷 France
 * 🇩🇪 Germany
 * 🇮🇳 India
 * 🇯🇵 Japan
 * 🇰🇿 Kazakhstan
 * 🇰🇼 Kuwait
 * Laos
 * 🇰🇵 North Korea
 * 🇷🇴 Romania
 * 🇷🇺 Russia
 * 🇰🇷 South Korea
 * 🇹🇷 Turkey
 * 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
 * 🇺🇸 United States
 * Vietnam

Go next
Except for those just passing through on the Trans-Mongolian Railroad or transiting through Ulaanbaatar Airport, most people come to Mongolia to witness the beauty of the endless steppes and deserts of Central Asia, populated by the nomadic descendants of Genghis Khan. Ulaanbaatar is an excellent homebase to explore Mongolia with its many museums, monasteries, and cultural experiences, but don't confine yourself to UB: you can't really get to know this place without going to the countryside for at least a few days.

 * Gorkhi-Terelj National Park — scenic, forested mountain valleys a mere three-hour bus ride from UB
 * Bogd Khan National Park — the world's largest equestrian statue of Genghis Khan and the ruins of a large Buddhist monastery destroyed by the communists in 1937 are the showpieces of this massive mountain park South of town
 * Karakorum — the ancient capital of the Mongol Empire in the beautiful Orkhon River valley, a day's bus ride to the west
 * The Gobi Desert — nomadic camel herders and dinosaur fossils
 * Western Mongolia — where the old Kazakh tradition of eagle-hunting lives on in the snow-capped Altai Mountains

title: Ulaanbaatar


text:
Ulaangom

Ulaangom is the capital of Uvs province. It is near Uvs Lake, a large saltwater lake with the largest surface area in Mongolia.

Understand
The city is located near the shores of Uvs Lake (Uvs Nuur), and has a population of around 27,000. It has an extreme and harsh climate, with temperatures often dropping as low as -45°C in the winter while rising to as high as +40°C during the summer. It is considered to be the coldest province in the country. While the city does not boast an abundance of tourist attractions, it serves as a good base to explore the north-west corner of Mongolia.

History
Uvs is home to the last two leaders of the Mongolian People's Republic, Yumjaagiin Tsedenbal (1952–1984) and Jambyn Batmönkh (1984–1990). There is a large statue and a whole wing of the local museum dedicated to Tsedenbal. While the area is peaceful today, Uvs resembled the 'Wild West' during the 1990s when cattle raiding between Uvs and the neighboring Tuvan Republic in Russia made the region particularly dangerous. Things finally returned to normal after one of the few border fences on the Russian-Mongolian border was completed in the early 2000s, separating Uvs Aimag and the Tuvan Republic.

Get in
There are medium-sized buses leaving from the Dragon Center in Ulaanbaatar several times a week. The cost of a one-way ticket is 69,000 ₸. Tickets can be bought at the bus station and customers will need to show their passport in order to reserve a seat. The trip duration is approximately 24-28 hours depending on road and weather conditions. When arriving in Ulaangom, the bus will drop passengers off at the Ulaangom bus station, a ten minute walk from Tsedenbal Square.

It is also possible to take a shared jeep or van to and from Hovd that leaves most days. This trip takes about ten hours with a stop for dinner at a small Mongolian cafe.

By plane

 * Hunnu Air, +976-7000-1111 (Ulaanbaatar), +976-7045-5252, +976+9800-0653, +976-9800-0654 (Ulaangom).
 * Hunnu Air, +976-7000-1111 (Ulaanbaatar), +976-7045-5252, +976+9800-0653, +976-9800-0654 (Ulaangom).
 * Hunnu Air, +976-7000-1111 (Ulaanbaatar), +976-7045-5252, +976+9800-0653, +976-9800-0654 (Ulaangom).

Local air ticket agents:

Agents speak moderate to advanced English.

Phone: 976-11-313131, 976-11-323232 976-11-323232, 976-11-333333 976-11-303030, 976-11-330101 976-11-331390 Email: info@airtrans.mn http://www.airtrans.mn
 * Air trans:

Phone: +976-70105050 Email: info@airmarket.mn http://www.airmarket.mn
 * Air market:

Phone: 976-18001818, 976-70141818, 976-70131818, 976-11-311818, 976-70121818, 976-70161818, 976-70151818, 976-70101818 Fax: 976-11-322350 Email: info@airlink.mn http://www.airlink.mn
 * Air link:

Phone: 976-11-311001, 976-11-311002, 976-11-311193, 976-70141001 976-70113313 Email: info@monairtour.com http://www.monairtour.com
 * Mon Air tour:

Phone: 976-11-320910, 976-11-310910 Email: info@airexpert.mn                                                                                Fax: 976-11-330910 Phone: +976-77114466 Email: info@airexpress.mn http://www.airexpress.mn facebook.com/AirExpressTravel
 * Air expert:
 * Air express travel:

Natural scenery

 * Red Mountain (Ulaan Uul) - Approximately five minutes from the city center by car or approximately 25 minutes by foot, Red Mountain is one of Ulaangom's landmarks. The mountain is visible from almost everywhere in the city. A concrete staircase is available, leading to a small pavilion with a sitting area next to an Ovoo shrine where one can have a view of the entire city of Ulaangom, Uvs Lake, and the Kharkhiraa mountain range. Hiking to the top of Red Mountain is also possible with an almost hidden stone path traveling up the mountain. From the peak of Red Mountain, one can even see other nearby soums in the distance, such as Tarialan soum.
 * Uvs Lake (Uvs Nuur) - Approximately 15-20 minutes away from the city center by car, Uvs Lake is the largest lake in Mongolia, often described as a gigantic inland sea in the middle of the desert. The majority of the lake is in Mongolia with a small portion in the north in Tuva, Russia. Uvs Lake is a highly saline lake and thus cannot support aquatic life. The Uvs Nuur Basin is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Theater and performing arts
The local theater, Oirat Theater, occasionally hosts events such as music concerts from local and national artists, as well as local plays. In addition, events are also occasionally held at the Wrestling Palace (Bökhiin Örgöö). Scheduled events are usually announced one to two weeks in advance.

Sports
The Wrestling Palace is the site of many of Ulaangom's sporting events, hosting basketball, Mongolian wrestling, indoor-football, volleyball, and martial tournaments. Many of these tournaments involve other western aimags' teams. The Wrestling Palace is located approximately ten minutes from Tsedenbal Square by foot and can be seen from the Ulaangom bus station. Ulaangom's Naadam Festival takes place on July 9-10 at the Ulaangom Naadam Stadium. The stadium is approximately six minutes from Tsedenbal Square by car or 25 minutes on foot.

Eat
Onkhruush coffee shop and bakery is nice place in town with variety of nice biscuits and cakes. Their coffee is good. Facebook video https://m.facebook.com/story.php/?id=100003916313211&story_fbid=2842869379186911

Drink

 * Altan Pub
 * Jets Club
 * Ikh Nayad Club

Go next

 * Uureg Nuur - Mongolia's largest lake.
 * The twin peaks of Kharkhiraa Uul (4037m) and Tiirgen Uul (3965m).
 * Uvs Nuur - a gigantic inland sea in the middle of the desert. It is five times saltier than the sea, so cannot support aquatic life. The Uvs Nuur basin is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
 * Khyargas Nuur Natural Park
 * Achit Nuur - the largest freshwater lake in Uvs
 * Large coach busses for Ulaanbaatar and cities along the route depart from the old airport at the south side of the city. Tickets should be purchased in advance as busses do sell out. They can also be purchased online (with payment through certain Mongolian banks) from the dragon center ticket website at http://eticket.transdep.mn. As of May 2018, buses were departing at 11:00 and 15:00 daily; the trip to Tsetserleg (Erdenetbugan) in Arkhangai Aimag takes about 18 hours, with another ~10 hours needed to get to UB.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Ulaangom


text:
Ulan Ude

Ulan Ude (Russian: Ула́н-Удэ́ oo-LAHN oo-DEH) is the capital of Buryatia, known during Soviet times as the Buryat Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic.

Understand

Ulan Ude, originally called Udinskoye, is in an area of Russia called Buryatia, named after the nomadic Buryat Mongols that first settled in the area. In the 1650s, as a result of a split in the Russian Orthodox Church, a group of people called the "Old Believers" were forced to flee their homes and escape to Siberia in order to freely practice their religion. The settlement was officially founded in 1666 by Russian Cossacks as a fortress. Due to its location on trade routes between Russia, China and Mongolia, it developed into a prosperous trading town. It grew further when it became a hub for the Trans Siberian Railway in 1900 and the locomotive manufacturing industry dominated the economy. Ulan Ude means "Red Ude", referring to the river Uda, in the local Buryat language. The city was closed to foreigners before 1991.

Buryat Mongols make up over 20% of the population of Ulan Ude, and the Mongolian cultural influence on the city is very noticeable. However, much of the original Buryat culture and religious buildings were destroyed by the Soviets in the 1930s. Shamanism, Buddhism, and Orthodox Christianity are all commonly practiced in Ulan Ude. There are approximately 400,000 inhabitants.

The city is situated at the intersection of the Uda and the Selenga rivers and is between the Khamar-Daban and Ulan-Burgasy mountain ranges. The city is south of Lake Baikal, along the Uda River. Lake Baikal tourism is very important to the economy of Ulan Ude and the city is tourist-friendly.

Climate
In summer it may be very hot, and in winter it may be freezing. The months of January to March are the coldest, with the average night temperature reaching as low as -27°C in January (though temperatures well below -50°C have been recorded!). April and May are also cold, but usually it is above freezing. June to August are the most pleasant months with lots of sunshine and temperatures rising to the low 20s. September and October are bracing months, but not yet very cold. November and December again see a return to freezing temperatures of around -10°C to -20°C. Also, the whole of Buryatia, and Ulan-Ude in particular, is considered to be the place where there are the most sunny days during the year, compared to other places in the area.

Humidity is low, so the extreme temperatures don't feel as extreme as they would in humid areas.

By plane

Buses #55 and #77 operate between the airport and Ploshchad Sovietov, the location of the giant Lenin head, in the city centre. To reach the airport bus station, walk straight out from the airport and turn left at the crossroad then continue walking for 5-10 minutes. The bus costs ₽20. Alternatively, taxis should cost ₽300 if negotiated in advance and the journey to the city centre by taxi takes approximately 20 minutes.

By train
The train station is located in the city centre, a 5 minute walk from the main street, ulitsa Lenina.

All Trans-Siberian trains stop at Ulan Ude, which is from the Moscow commencement point.

Train timetables and fares can be found on the RZD website. There are several daily trains to Moscow (95 hours, ₽4000-11000), Krasnoyarsk (25 hours, ₽1600-8400), Irkutsk (8 hours, ₽750-4000), Novosibirsk (40 hours, ₽2200-10400), Omsk (50 hours, ₽2600-7600), Yekaterinburg (63 hours, ₽3300-9000), Perm (70 hours, ₽3500-9600), Vladivostok (61 hours, ₽3300-16000), Ulaanbaatar (22 hours, including a 12-hour scheduled stop at the border), and Beijing (66 hours, once per week).

Ulan-Ude is the first major Russian city on the train journey from Mongolia.

By bus
The bus station “Selenga” (also known as “Yuzhniy”) is at Korabelnaya st 32, at the end of Sovetskaya st. It is from the train station and it can be reached on foot or by marshrutka #30 or #29. There is a baggage storage room open from 8:00AM to 8:00PM. Sometimes it is referred to as the "South Bus Station"; however, the north bus station no longer exists.

Note that many buses/marshruktas, including those to Irkutsk, Lake Baikal, Arshan, and Chita, also stop at or leave from the train station. Buses/marshruktas are generally less comfortable than the train; however they are usually cheaper and faster. Many small towns in Buryatia cannot be reached by train, and bus is the only public transportation option to reach these areas.

 * There are daily buses to/from Ulaanbaatar, departing from either city at 7:30AM for the 10-12 hour journey. Tickets can be purchased at travel agency offices for ₽1100. The bus is much cheaper and faster than the train.
 * Minibuses operate a service to the Mongolian border town of Kyakhta. The buses depart every hour from 7:00AM to 7:00PM and the 3-hour journey costs ₽250. The minibus driver will most probably ask for ₽50 extra for each piece of luggage.
 * There are buses/marshrutkas to Lake Baikal (3 hours, ₽300), Irkutsk (9 hours, ₽700), Arshan, and Chita, departing from the Ulan-Ude train station. Tickets can be purchased from the driver. The buses usually leave early in the morning, once full.

By foot
The central tourist area of Ulan Ude is compact and is very walkable.

By taxi
Taxis are plentiful but drivers rarely speak any English.

By public transportation
There are marshrutkas, buses, and a few tram routes. Trips on public transportation cost less than ₽30.

City center

 * The World's Largest Lenin Head is in Ploshchad Sovietov, the main city square. The head is 7.7m tall and weighs 42 tons. It was unveiled in 1970 in honor of Lenin's 100th birthday and to remind the local population who was in charge. It is now a common meeting place.
 * The merchant's mansions, richly decorated with wood and stone carvings. Historical relics of the town's prosperity as a trading center. The mansions are located along the banks of the Uda River.
 * Lenina Street, also called Arbat street. Part of the street is pedestrian-only. It is the main place for meeting, walking, shopping for locals and a good place for people-watching.
 * Gostiniye Ryady, the former shopping arcade.
 * Revolution Square was the location of bazaars during historical times. There is a victory arch with a two-headed Russian eagle.
 * Embankment of Selenga (at Pioner mall, close to main bus station). A good place for people-watching.

Museums

Religious buildings

Buy
Cedar oil (Кедровое масло) and other cedar products are a specialty of this region. Small Buddha statues are a common souvenir and are said to bring good luck. Mongolian socks, muttons, hats etc. out of camel wool can serve as a gift too.

Eat
Try local buryat cuisine. Mainly it's steamed meat dumplings called "Buuza" (or "Pozy"), fried "Sharbin", or "Khushuur". Soups include meat broth "Bukhlyor" and noodles "Shuleen". Sweet baked goods served with jam or condensed milk are called "boovy".

The fish "omul" is unique for the region, as it exists only in the Baikal lake.

Local cuisine

 * Appetite Lenin's head looks at it. Quite cheap, tray style, Russian food, free WiFi.
 * "Museum" cafe, Lenina str, 46; on a way from Lenin's head to Arbat street (11.30-19.00). 150 r/meal
 * "Baatar orgoo" YURT GER cafe, Verhnaya Beryozovka, Dokuchaeva str.11. Only minibus 37 goes there. You can take it from Baikal Plaza hotel bus stop, tell a driver to stop at "KAFE YURTA". Takes about 20-30 minutes drive. Only traditional food and very nice atmosphere. 500-700 r/meal
 * "Buuza" cafe/bar, Communist str. 41a; on tram tracks, near hotel Siberia, 3 mins from Lenin's head
 * "Tenghis" restaurant, Yerbanova str. 12; Inside Baikal Plaza hotel
 * "Student snacks" cafe/bar, Razhurova str. 1; just behind Opera house
 * Marusia Lenina st., 46; Russian cuisine

Supermarkets
Food can be bought in shops; look for the signs with "магазин" ("Magazine", literally: store).

 * Titan Supermarket
 * Slavyanskiy bazar on Smolina street near intersection with Sovyetskaya street.
 * Absolut Supermarket
 * Absolut Supermarket

Drink
The local Baikalpharm brand of vodka is very popular and a bottle makes a great souvenir.

Cafes

 * Dacha Lenin's head looks at it. Great place!
 * Marco Polo Kommunisticheskaya st., 46; coffee house, breakfast, salads
 * Safari Erbanova st., 20; coffee house
 * Shokolad Karl-Marks blvrd, 11; top recommended coffee house. It's located just opposite the new Russian drama theater which is about 15 minutes by tram. Nice location, nice coffee

Sleep
Most hotels and hostels offer free WiFi and many have computer terminals. Almost all accept credit cards. Hotels and hostels will usually provide a visa invitation and registration for an additional fee.

Phone
The international code for Russia is +7; the code for Ulan Ude is 301.

For information on purchasing a SIM card in Russia, see Russia.

Note that SIM cards purchased elsewhere, such as in Moscow or Saint Petersburg, may be subject to roaming charges.

Internet
Free WiFi is available in most hotels, shopping malls, university buildings, cinemas, restaurants and cafes, and some public areas and parks. There are also plenty of WiFi hotspots for which you must pay. There are internet cafes in the city centre. You can also buy a mobile GPRS card to enable data transfer via the cellular networks. For more information, see Russia.

Consulates

 * 🇲🇳 Mongolia

Go next
In addition to continuing on to cities on Trans-Siberian Railway and the Trans-Mongolian Railway, it is worth making a diversion to Lake Baikal, the deepest and oldest lake in the world and, by volume of water, also the largest freshwater body of water. It contains 20% of the world's liquid fresh water and is deep. The lake can be reached by bus.

title: Ulan Ude


text:
Ulcinj

Ulcinj (Cyrillic: Улцињ, Albanian: Ulqin or Ulqini) is the most southern coastal town of Montenegro. In 2011, it had a population of 10,700.

Understand
Ulcinj is the southern most major town along the Montenegrin coast before reaching the border with Albania. The significant majority of the population is ethnic Albanian. Due to the town's nice location on the coast it is a major tourist destination of much of the Albanian population of Kosovo. Millennials usually speak English, older generations speak Italian, German or Russian.

Get in

 * 8 buses per day to Podgorica, 2 hours, €6. Regular buses to Budva and Kotor, €7-9.
 * To Bar you can either take a normal bus or catch a 'combi' minibus (about half an hour, hourly).
 * From Kosovo during the tourist season there are frequent buses leaving from the major cities. The price should be around €15. These can rarely be booked advance online, but a stroll round a major city centre will immediately show what is on offer (e.g. try the Bill Clinton Boulevard in Pristina. Buses leave from both Pristina and Ulcinj (at 19:00 each day, 11 hours), making about 4 rest stops on the way (Bar – Podgorica – Pec (Kosovo)).
 * From Albania there are 'combi' minibuses that come from Durres in Albania to Ulcinj, although they most likely are not official bus operations, so you'll have to do some asking around.
 * There are also daily departures to Shkodra, Albania (06:00 and 12:30). These are, in theory, well connected with Albanian 'furgons' from Tirana and Durres. It takes 1 hour to Shkoder by "private" cab. If you are unable to find a bus or furgon you may try your luck in the area around the bus station. People may approach you (or you can just ask people) offering to take you to nearby Albanian towns and cities. During off-peak periods you may find someone willing to take you to Shkodra and bring you back the same day for around €20 to €30.
 * There is only one bus daily from Shkoder, Albania at 09:00 in front of Hotel Rozafa. It costs €7 per person plus €1 per luggage placed in the boot (May 2024). Tourist information suggested a taxi for €45. (Summer 2022)
 * Also direct buses (three times per week) to Split, Croatia via Dubrovnik.
 * Buses to Novi Pazar, Serbia
 * Sunday evening buses to Skopje, North Macedonia (via Shkodra (Albania) – Ohrid – Tetovo)
 * Sunday evening buses to Skopje, North Macedonia (via Shkodra (Albania) – Ohrid – Tetovo)

Get around
Ulcinj is a small city, you will have no problem getting around by foot, but keep in mind that some parts are very hilly. The hilly roads can become quite slippery when wet and many of the smaller streets have no sidewalks. If you're walking on such a street, keep to the dry areas and step aside when you hear an approaching vehicle to let them pass. Many people drive fast even with pedestrians on the road.

There are many stairs that lead down the hills that can be used to avoid long winding roads, but you'll have to look for the entrances, or use Google Maps Satellite imagery to see where the stairs are; they're most marked and they often look like they lead into someone's home.

Do
Ulcinj is a splendid central location for exploring Montenegro's South Coast region (from Bar to Skadar Lake to Ada Bojana) and parts of Albania. The Ulcinj South Coast region boasts some of the most interesting adventure, historical and eco tours, and vacation beach stays in all of the Adriatic.
 * Ušće (begins just on opposite side of Ada Bojana island and stretch in one direction to Velika plaža and in other direction to the Bojana River coast). Area is very similar to Ada Bojana, with two main differences. There is no nudist beach and place is filled with campers and young people looking for rest during the day and party in the night.
 * Go for a walk after sunset when the main street fills with people promenading and taking some fresh air.
 * For the more adventuresome you can take the 'combi' towards the Albanian border (but not crossing it) getting off on the first road heading towards Lake Skadar near the town of Brajše. There is a small bus from Brajše that runs along this small road towards the mountains which if it's running you can take for €0.50, otherwise you'll have to walk or hitchhike. Once you get to the peak of the mountain range you'll be standing almost exactly on the Albanian and Montenegrin border. You'll be able to look out over one of the most magnificent lakes in Europe as well as get a good view of the Adriatic coast, Albania and Montenegro. Continue hitchhiking up the lake, you'll get to see some of the most rural untouched villages in the Balkans. The southern half of the lake shore is populated by ethnic Albanians while the northern half all the way up to the town of Virpazar is populated by Montenegrins. There is very little travel between the two communities so there are almost no buses that run the course of the highway meaning you'll either have to walk or hitchhike. The people driving the road though few and far between seem more than willing to take hitchhikers. If you camp (which is a good idea) there are some camp sites about halfway between Virpazar and Arbnez.
 * A former salt factory just east of the city is now a Flamingo Reservation, entrance is free.
 * For the more adventuresome you can take the 'combi' towards the Albanian border (but not crossing it) getting off on the first road heading towards Lake Skadar near the town of Brajše. There is a small bus from Brajše that runs along this small road towards the mountains which if it's running you can take for €0.50, otherwise you'll have to walk or hitchhike. Once you get to the peak of the mountain range you'll be standing almost exactly on the Albanian and Montenegrin border. You'll be able to look out over one of the most magnificent lakes in Europe as well as get a good view of the Adriatic coast, Albania and Montenegro. Continue hitchhiking up the lake, you'll get to see some of the most rural untouched villages in the Balkans. The southern half of the lake shore is populated by ethnic Albanians while the northern half all the way up to the town of Virpazar is populated by Montenegrins. There is very little travel between the two communities so there are almost no buses that run the course of the highway meaning you'll either have to walk or hitchhike. The people driving the road though few and far between seem more than willing to take hitchhikers. If you camp (which is a good idea) there are some camp sites about halfway between Virpazar and Arbnez.
 * A former salt factory just east of the city is now a Flamingo Reservation, entrance is free.

Eat

A few notes: fish restaurants calculate the price per 1 kg of raw fish. Example: one raw fish is about 500-600 grams, but when cleaned and cooked, it's around 200 grams. You get charged for 500-600 grams. If you see "scallop" on the menu anywhere, it's most likely not seafood but meat (veal). The great majority of restaurants serve halal food, and thus pork can be rarely found. Like in almost all Balkan towns you can find very good burek and ćevapi. Ulcinj's Albanians are one of the best and most skilled sweet food makers and bakers in former Yugoslavian area.

Budget

 * Near the beach stalls sell kebab and hamburgers.

Mid-range
Restaurants near the beach and long the main road falls into this category with prices of main meals of €3-7.

Splurge

 * There are lots of new restaurants in Stari grad (old town) that serve a wide range of food. Many of the restaurants have fantastic views of the ocean right from your table. Prices €7-30.

Drink
Best bars are in area on the Mala plaža beach in the town, just beneath Old Town.

Sleep
Accommodation is plentiful in Ulcinj, ranging from resort hotels to private accommodations. The resort hotels in Ulcinj are each in the process of renovation and reconstruction, as most have been privatized from former government agencies. Lodging costs range from full-service rooms at €50 per person (or more in Jul and Aug) down to the many unlicensed/unregulated private accommodations costing in the range of €10-25.

Go next

 * Shkodra, Albania — the first city after the border with Albania, also it is the biggest town in Northern Albania. The Rozafa Castle is a major tourist attraction here.
 * Bar N 26 km — the biggest Montenegrin sea port.

title: Ulcinj


text:
Uliastai

Uliastai is the capital of Zavkhan province, and a former provincial capital of the Manchu Empire.

Understand
Uliastai is located at the border of the desert and the forest. It is in a valley near where the Bogdiin and Chigestai converge surrounded by the Khangai mountains, which makes travel difficult during the winter.

History
Alongside Hovd, Uliastai, occasionally referred to as Jibhalanta by the Manchus, is one of the 3 oldest settlements in Mongolia, and had long been an important center of caravan trade -even into the 20th century. It was connected by camel caravan routes with Urga (now Ulaanbaatar) in the east, Hovd in the west, Barkol and other points in Xinjiang in the southwest, and Hohhot in the southeast.

The city was founded as a military garrison by the Manchus in 1733 during the Qing rule of Mongolia. Uliastai was the de facto capital of Outer Mongolia and parts of what is now Russia, as the Qing Amban, the Governor General, located its office in Uliastai to keep eye on the Khalkh Mongols to the east and the Oirad Mongols west of the Khangai mountains. At its peak, the fortress held up to 3500 soldiers and was surrounded by a Chinese trading quarter, or Maimaicheng. However, during the Outer Mongolian Revolution of 1911 the Military Governor of Uliastai, his staff, and military guards, fled the fort under the protection of Cossack troops. Traces of Manchu rule can still be seen in Uliastai: the stone remnants of the governors fortress near the Bogdiin river are a short walk from town, the shackles and torture devices used by the Manchu are on display in the History Museum, and a hatag-laden stone near the central roundabout is carved with Chinese characters.

Get in
You can fly or take the bus from Ulaanbaatar to Uliastai. Buses leave everyday from the Dragon Center in UB for Uliastai at 09:00. Going straight from UB can be easier than some nearby cities due to difficult mountain passes to the west and south of the city.

See

 * The ruined Manchu fort, which was built in 1733.
 * The city museum
 * Buddhist temple
 * Various historical places around the city.

Do
Ten Great Lamas of Zavkhan Province The State Prize Winner, Great Eastern Poet, Yavuukhulan B. The State Prize Winner, Film Producer, Vangan L. The First President of Mongolia, Mr. Ochirbat P. The Second President of Mongolia, Mr. Bagabandi Natsag Labor Hero of Mongolia, Mr. Otgonbileg Shagdar Colonel Zagdgochoo D. The International Olympic Committee’s Honored Member, Mr. Magvan Sh. Hero of Mongolia, General of the Army, Dorj B.
 * The Famous People Museum of Zavkhan consists of 9 halls:
 * The Famous People Museum of Zavkhan consists of 9 halls:

Sleep
There are five hotels in Uliastai.

Tents can also be set up on the banks of the two rivers that flow through the center of the town.

title: Uliastai


text:
Ulladulla

Ulladulla is a town in the Shoalhaven area of the Australian state of New South Wales. Along with Mollymook immediately north, it is a popular vacation destination for Sydneysiders over summer and for weekends away.

Get in
Ulladulla is around 3 hours drive south of Sydney by car along the Princes Highway (National Route 1). It is about the same distance from Canberra via Braidwood and Batemans Bay.

Premier Pioneer have a coach service either direct from Sydney or meeting the train at Bomaderry.

Priors Bus Service also operates a coach service from Sydney that meets the train at Bomaderry but it travels via the Southern Highlands.

Murrays have a daily bus service between Batemans Bay from Canberra which connects with the Pioneer services to Ulladulla.

Get around
Most parts of Ulladulla and Mollymook are walking distance to the ocean beaches. There is a hill in the centre of town, and some hotels are at the top of the hill, and a bit further (and steeper) to walk. Its about 45 minutes walk from Ulladulla to Mollymook.

With a car you will have no problems getting around.

Ulladulla Bus Lines provides infrequent services around Ulladulla and nearby towns, and taxis are also available.

See
Ulladulla is largely a service town for the local agricultural, fishing and tourism industries, and has few attractions likely to be of interest to tourists in their own right. However, it has some pleasant beaches and is a convenient base for exploring the Shoalhaven region.

Do

 * Nearby Milton has a theatre frequented by many local acts, as well as some more popular Australian acts.
 * Nearby Milton has a theatre frequented by many local acts, as well as some more popular Australian acts.
 * Nearby Milton has a theatre frequented by many local acts, as well as some more popular Australian acts.

Buy
Ulladulla has the usual mix of supermarkets, food stores and clothing stores for an Australian country town of its size. The full-sized supermarkets are a useful resource for travellers staying in small towns and caravan parks in the region, most of which lack supermarkets or are served only by over-priced stores. Several surfware stores are located in the centre of town along the Princes Highway.

Eat
Ulladulla is still a fishing harbour, and you have a choice of fresh seafood of the fine dining variety, or served up in batter with chips to be eaten at a picnic table by the water and the leftovers fed to the seagulls. Your choice.

Sleep
Ulladulla has a variety of tourist accommodation with several caravan parks, cabins, motels, and holiday houses. Cabins book out early over summer. Weekdays during the off-peak season there should usually be vacancies available if you want to stop off while on the road.

Go next
Batemans Bay is a larger centre catering to the tourist market around 45 minutes south along the highway. Huskisson on Jervis Bay lies around the same distance north.

Nearby Tabourie Lake (around 15 minutes south) offers opportunities for canoeing and birdlife viewing.

title: Ulladulla


text:
Ullal

Ullal is a city in Dakshina Kannada, a coastal region of the Indian province of Karnataka.

Get in
From Mangalore by road, by bus no 44A, 44D, 44C, By auto rikshaw Rs.200, by Taxi ₹300, by train (at the Ullal Station) 2 km from the city center.

Get around
By car, taxi or autorickshaw, cycle, walking.

See

 * Ullal Beach,
 * Someshwar Temple,
 * Ullal Darga, Kotepura. World famous Muslim shrine.
 * Jain temple ruins,
 * Summer Sands Beach Resort,
 * Several Hindu temples especially during a festival,
 * Riverside,
 * Replica of an ancient Arab dhow under construction at the riverside boatyard forever. Looks like Noah's ark
 * Trip to the bar  (where the two rivers Nethravathi & Gurpur meet). Here we are on a tongue of  land with the sea on one side, the river on the other side with Mangalore city beyond,  and the  Western Ghats as a backdrop.
 * Marine processing unit.
 * Boat Building / Repairing.
 * Lime kilns, dry fish & fish oil extraction at Kotepura.
 * Visit the orphanage with handicrafts center (cutwork embroidery) and old age home at the  Nirmala Social welfare center.
 * Adoption services at the Nirmala Social welfare center. Ph 2465692
 * Rope making at Kallappu.
 * Eco-trips for experiencing nature, photography or painting / drawing along the coast, rivers, lagoons,  backwaters or  the countryside.
 * Cashew research Center at Thokottu 2 km away ph : 2466249 8AM-5PM, sat 8AM-1PM.

Do
Cycle hire Mr. Roff 2462374, Bike Hire Mr. Praveen 2430288
 * Swim in the swimming pool at Summer Sands or in the sea,
 * Take a boat ride on River Netravati,
 * Walk along Ullal bridge,
 * Walk along the eroding sea coast
 * Walk and shop along ancient Ferry Road
 * Cycling (hiring of cycles available in the local village) along the country side & along the back  waters &  lagoons.
 * Boating in the rivers, back waters & lagoons.
 * Fishing in the river.
 * Sailing or canoeing in the river in the local dug out boats.
 * Cockle picking off the river bed at the Islands in the river.
 * Picnic to islands in the river / moon lit picnic to the islands.
 * A sojourn  with  the fishermen on  their  fishing trips in the sea (sometimes at night) / Shark  fishing.
 * Picnic to the  Someshwara Rock, and Temple  (2km. along the beach to the south of Summer  Sands Beach resort).

Buy

 * Insect repellent to save yourself from mosquito bites
 * Cut work Embroidery at Nirmal Social welfare center.

Eat
Fish Curry, Chicken Curry, Rice, Kori Rotti, Fish Fry

Drink
Tender Coconut juice, Sugarcane juice, Toddy

title: Ullal


text:
Ullapool

Ullapool is a village on the shores of Loch Broom in Ross and Cromarty in the Scottish Highlands. With a population of 1500 in 2020, it's a ferry port and most visitors are just passing through on the way to and from Stornoway on Lewis. Reasons to stay are for hill-walking and exploration of the wild mainland scenery.

Get in
Ullapool is 60 miles (100 km) northwest of Inverness, which has the nearest airport and railway station. Follow A835 and allow 75 min.

By bus: Scottish Citylink Bus 961 takes 80 min from Inverness. It's timed to meet the ferries, running twice M-Sa and once on Sunday. An adult single in 2022 is £16 and in summer you'd best book ahead. There are no through-buses from Edinburgh or Glasgow, but with connections to join the 961 it might take six hours and cost £35.

Stagecoach Bus 61 also runs twice M-F from Inverness via Dingwall, Strathpeffer, Contin and Braemore. This is mostly a school bus, so its times vary between term and holidays.

On schooldays only, Bus 890 runs to Ullapool from Kinlochbervie in the morning, taking 2 hours via Laxford Bridge, Kylesku and Elphin, and returning north in the afternoon. An earlier Bus 891 continues from Ullapool to Dingwall, starting back around 2:45PM.

By boat: Calmac ferries sail from Stornoway on Lewis, taking 2 hr 30 min. They sail year-round, with two sailings M-Sa, one on Sunday Nov-Mar and two Apr-Oct - see Stornoway for fares. These ferries often sell out in summer, so even foot passengers should book in advance. Be at the pier at least 45 min before sailing.

on Loch Broom is the bus and ferry terminus.

Get around
Ullapool is small and easily seen on foot, but you need your own wheels to get around the countryside.

Taxi operators are Ullapool Taxis (+44 7517 612619 or +44 1854 612619) and Ewen's (+44 1854 612966).

See

 * Town centre is attractive early Victorian low-rise. Any walk that gains height is quickly rewarded by great views over Loch Broom.
 * is a deep ravine, where the Abhainn Droma thunders over the 150 ft Falls of Measach. There a viewing bridge below the waterfall, accessible free 24 hours, and the area is a nature reserve maintained by the National Trust for Scotland. The gorge demonstrates how our idea of "beauty" was transformed in the 19th century: Coire Shalach is Gaelic for "unattractive gorge" and to anyone herdng cattle it was a confounded nuisance. It's 12 miles south of Ullapool on A835, by the junction with A832 to Gairloch.
 * is more correctly a beacon, marking the entrance to Loch Broom towards Ullapool. It's a short walk from the lane off A835 north of town.
 * is a nature reserve administered as part of the Summer Isles, but so far from the main group that it makes for a separate boat trip. A flour mill here worked until 1948, but from the 1960s the island was depopulated and turned into a reserve.
 * is the rubble of an Iron Age fort, maybe from 500 BC. You just come for the coast hike and views.
 * Clear night skies: you need to go a mile or so out of town to get clear of skyglow, then the Milky Way and other celestial objects swim into view. It's a lost cause May-July when the nights never get truly dark, just a brief "simmer dim".
 * Clear night skies: you need to go a mile or so out of town to get clear of skyglow, then the Milky Way and other celestial objects swim into view. It's a lost cause May-July when the nights never get truly dark, just a brief "simmer dim".

Do

 * What's on? Read Ullapool News or listen to Loch Broom FM on 102.2 and 96.8 FM.
 * McPhail Centre is a performing arts venue east side of town on the main road north, Mill St.
 * Ullapool Hill is a 258-m outcrop of Meall Mòr. There are clearly marked trails east side of town. See Ullapool Walks for this and other routes.
 * Golf: Ullapool GC is north side of town, white tees 5228 yards, par 70, visitor fee £30.
 * The Summer Isles are visited by boat trips on the sedate Summer Queen or on a bouncy RIB. Trips also sail from Achiltibuie, a shorter crossing.
 * The pipe band parade in town on Thursday evenings in summer.
 * Highland Games: Ullapool no longer holds its own, though they hope to restart. The closest are in Achiltibuie in late June or in Lochinver in August.
 * Ullapool Book Festival is held in mid-May.
 * The Guitar Festival is 3 days of acoustic guitar music in early October at the Macphail Centre.

Buy

 * Banks: Bank of Scotland is on West Argyle St, one block back from the ferry pier, open M W F 10AM-2PM. Royal Bank of Scotland is 100 yards east of it, open M-F 09:30-15:30. There's also an ATM in Tesco.
 * Saturday market is held along Quay Street Apr-Sep: Saturdays 9AM-5PM. Crafts and local produce, with organic vegetables, seafood, smoked cheese and fish, bakery.
 * Fuel: Lochbroom filling station, 400 yards east of the ferry pier, has 24-hour pumps. The shop is open M-Sa 7:30AM-8PM and Su 8:30AM-7PM.
 * Arts and crafts: there's half a dozen shops near the ferry pier, and see also Ceilidh Place bookshop.
 * Arts and crafts: there's half a dozen shops near the ferry pier, and see also Ceilidh Place bookshop.
 * Arts and crafts: there's half a dozen shops near the ferry pier, and see also Ceilidh Place bookshop.

Eat

 * West Coast Deli at 5 Argyle St is open daily 9AM-5PM and does takeaway but the cafe remains closed in 2022.

Drink

 * Others in town centre are Ferry Boat Inn and Waterfront Bar within Royal Hotel.
 * Distillery: Highland Liquor Company makes gin. The shop is at 26 West Argyle St a block back from the ferry pier, open daily 10AM-6PM.
 * Distillery: Highland Liquor Company makes gin. The shop is at 26 West Argyle St a block back from the ferry pier, open daily 10AM-6PM.

Sleep

 * Over a dozen small guesthouses and B&Bs in town, with various rules on dogs, children and minimum stays.
 * Over a dozen small guesthouses and B&Bs in town, with various rules on dogs, children and minimum stays.
 * Over a dozen small guesthouses and B&Bs in town, with various rules on dogs, children and minimum stays.

Connect
As of July 2022, Ullapool has 4G from EE, O2 and Vodafone, and a basic mobile signal from Three. The approach road A835 only has a signal from EE. 5G has not reached this area.

Go next

 * Ferries ply to Stornoway on Lewis: not the most attractive spot in the Western Isles, but the obvious base for exploring.
 * North to Achiltibuie, The Summer Isles and Lochinver.
 * South to Gairloch, via the Arctic Convoy Museum and Inverewe Gardens, then Torridon.
 * North West Highlands Geopark extends from Torridon through Ullapool up to Durness. The gneiss is nice.
 * North Coast 500 is a motoring itinerary that swings through Ullapool.

title: Ullapool


text:
Ulleungdo

Ulleungdo is an island to the east of the Korean peninsula, part of North Gyeongsang province in South Korea.

Understand

Ulleungdo is the main island in Ulleung-gun (鬱陵郡), a county on the east coast of Gyeongsangbuk-do, Korea. The county consists of 44 annexed islands including Bondo, Dokdo, Jukdo, and Gwaneumdo on Ulleungdo on the East Sea. Ulleungdo is a volcanic rock region with a coastline of 64.43 km in length. In the center of the island, Seongseongbong (984 m) rises, and there is a Nari Basin formed by the depression of the caldera crater. It is rich in natural resources such as columnar joints, strange rock formations, spring water, and primeval forest, and 39 kinds of special plants and 6 kinds of plants are designated as natural monuments. It is a rare maritime climate in Korea, with a small daily temperature difference and a lot of snow. Specialty products include squid, pumpkin syrup, wild vegetables, and Ulleung Yakso. The county office is located in Ulleung-eup, and the administrative district is 1 eup and 2 myeon.

Geography
Ulleungdo is a volcanic island formed by hardening magma erupted from the seabed of the East Sea. Ulleungdo has not been formed for a long time, so the volcanic shape is well maintained. About two-thirds of the volcanic bodies are submerged in the sea, and the part exposed above the sea level forms a steep mountain area. At the top of the mountain is the Nari Basin, which is a caldera basin, and the Albong in the Nari Basin shows the characteristics of a double volcano as a whole. It is famous for its beautiful natural scenery, and the unique and unique topography of Ulleungdo is observed from the sea. Most of the island is rugged and mountainous.

Climate
The climate around Ulleungdo, including Dokdo, has a typical maritime climate that is highly affected by warm currents. The annual average temperature is about 12℃ and the temperature in August, the hottest month, does not exceed 24℃, so it is cool even in summer. 85% of the year is cloudy or snowy, so it is a relatively humid area. And January, the coldest month, has an average temperature of 1.0℃, which is warm. The area around Ulleungdo has a lot of fog, and there are more than 160 cloudy days throughout the year and about 150 days of rain. The annual average rainfall is about 1,300mm. Precipitation in winter is mostly in the form of snow accumulation, and heavy snowfalls frequently. The winds of Ulleungdo have a high frequency of occurrence of the western and southern winds, and the annual average wind speed is 4.3㎧.

Get in
Ulleungdo's first ever airport is scheduled for completion around 2025, but for time being access is only possible by ferries, operated by Dae-A Express and Seaspovill. Your port choices are Gangneung and Mukho in Gangwon, Pohang in North Gyeongsang. The Mukho Ferry Terminal is in the city of Donghae. There are one or two boats a day. The fare for the Gangneung ferries "Sea Star" is ₩48,000 each way, the other ferries being slightly more expensive.

Get around

There are local mini-buses that carry about a dozen passengers at a time. They depart from Dodong Port, the administrative area of the island, then split into different routes; one goes up to the north side while another runs into the center and the other takes to the south. There is a bus between Dodong-ri to Jeodong-ri every 30 minutes. For the latest timetable tourist information should have the most up-to-date schedule. As of November 2011, the basic fare is ₩1,000 to travel between Dodong and Jeodong. All other fares are ₩1,500. Bear in mind that buses do stop running a lot earlier than on the mainland (last buses depart before 20:00), as it is difficult to get a taxi at night unless you are in Dodong or Jeodong.

Since convenient transportation is scarce, taxis may be a good option to get around the island. You can catch them at the Dodong Port when you get off the boat. A taxi ride around the island should cost you around ₩80,000 to ₩90,000 a day. There is also the option to rent a car although knowing someone who speaks the language would be a big plus.

See
Rich in tourist attractions, Ulleungdo will not leave you wanting for things to see.

Eat
Some of the food items that are unique to the island are honghap bap, seasoned rice with mussels; sanchae bibimbap, rice mixed with sprouts and roots found natively'; yakso bulgogi, barbequed beef that was raised on herbs and vegetables growing on the island. Other food items special to Ulleungdo include the cuttlefish and the hobak yeott (squash candy).

Most of the restaurants in Dodong-ri are clustered in the same small area. It is a couple of minutes passed the information center then on the straight road towards Jeodong-ri. Here are two that serve the specialty dishes at decent prices.

Sleep
The island is strewn with different types of housing for tourists. You'll have motels, minbaks or pension houses that rent out equipped rooms, tourist hotels, etc. Dodong Port is where everything meets; this is the end and starting point for the transport vehicles.

If you're looking for something cheaper, you could try camping for free at Naessujeon and Sadong-ri. There are toilets and showers at both places. To get to the camping area at Sadong-ri, ask for a taxi ride to Dong-A Resort in Sadong and walk down to the water from there.You can easily taxi, hitch or walk back to Dodong from the camping area in Sadong. It's about a 45 minute walk.

Connect
For more information on all of these sites, you can contact the Ulleung Tourist Office at +82 54-790-6465. Operators should be able to communicate in English as well. If not, there's always the trusty +82-54-1330 that have operators speaking English, Japanese and Chinese.

Go next

 * The hotly disputed islets of Dokdo can be reached from Ulleungdo.

title: Ulleungdo


text:
Ulm

Ulm is a town at the edge of Bavaria in Baden-Württemberg, southwestern Germany. It is home to the highest church steeple in the world (161.53 m), even higher than the Cathedral (Dom in German) of Cologne.

Understand
With a population of 127,000 inhabitants (2017), Ulm forms an urban district and administrative centre of the region. Ulm, founded around 850, is rich in history and traditions as a former Free Imperial City (German: freie Reichsstadt). Today, it is an economic centre due to its varied industries, and it is the seat of a university. Internationally, Ulm is primarily known for having the church with the tallest steeple in the world (161.53 m or 529.95 feet), the Gothic Ulm minster (German: Ulmer Münster) and as the birthplace of Albert Einstein.

Ulm lies at the Danube river and is surrounded by forests and hills which rise to altitudes of over 620 m, which are part of the Swabian Mountains. Because of the Danube Ulm sees a lot of dense fog especially in late autumn and early spring. Most parts of the city, including the old town, are on the north-west bank of the Danube. On the other side of the river lies the twin city of Neu-Ulm in the state of Bavaria.

Around the city, there are many statues of sparrows (Spatzen). Spatzen is a nickname for the residents of Ulm and a symbol of the city. Legend says that, while building the cathedral, the workers couldn't figure out how to get the long wooden beams into the church until they noticed a sparrow entering its nest while holding a piece of straw lengthwise, instead of sideways.

Talk
Standard German is understood by everyone, but the local dialect is Swabian (Schwäbisch).

By train
The is in the town centre, about a 10-minute walk from the cathedral (Ulmer Münster). Ulm is about an hour from Stuttgart and 1½-2 hours from Munich.

There are special train tickets called Länder-Tickets for travel within a region, such as Baden-Württemberg or Bavaria (Bayern). With this ticket up to five people can use all regional trains for a whole day for only €22 (one person) – €38 (five persons). Prices may change, so check the Deutsche Bahn website for the latest prices.

By plane
From these airports you can take the ICE or IC train to get to Ulm.

 * Munich Airport 150 km from Ulm, about 2½ hours by train. The airport has an S-Bahn station, which connects to other Munich train stations.
 * Stuttgart Airport, 90 km from Ulm
 * Friedrichshafen Airport, also known as Bodensee-Airport, Friedrichshafen in Friedrichshafen close to Lake Constance
 * Memmingen Airport near Memmingen, which is roughly 60 km away. Served (and sometimes deceptively marketed as being closer to Munich than it really is) primarily by no frills airlines
 * Frankfurt airport is a farther away than all the other listed airports, but may serve as your entry point if none of the closer options aligns with your plans. Deutsche Bahn and most airlines have entered rail air alliances to offer combination tickets for the train ride and the flight in one package, which might work out to be the cheapest and/or most comfortable option.

By car
Ulm is near the intersection of the A7 and A8 autobahns.

Get around
The town centre is small enough to walk around, but there are lots of buses and even sightseeing boats on the Danube (Donau) River. There's a Straßenbahn with two intersecting lines. Route planner is available online.

Museums
The UlmCard is available from the Tourist Information office. It provides entry to the Weishaupt Gallery, Ulm Museum, Museum of Bread Culture, Danube Swabian Museum, Edwin Scharff Museum, Museum at Wiblingen Monastery and Rococo library, Natural History Education Centre, and Children's Museum Neu-Ulm along with many other advantages.

Do

 * Walk along the Donau (Danube) river and the city wall and through the Fischerviertel. Visit the many art galleries there. See the Schiefes Haus (Crooked House) and enjoy the nice and little houses with very little streets between and small rivers. Visit the birthplace of Albert Einstein. Today the site of the house where he was born is marked with a memorial.
 * Take a cruise on the Donau with the historic ship 'Ulmer Spatz'. Regularly tours during summer. Starting near the Metzgerturm.

Buy

 * The major shopping street starts at the train station and leads directly to the Ulmer Münster church.
 * Shopping mall 'Blautalcenter'

Eat
There are plenty of places to eat in the nice and quiet Fischerviertel, where you can get some genuine German food and beer.

Sleep

The Ulm tourist office, located in the Stadthaus in the Münsterplatz, is very good. There are many pensions in the old town whose owners do not speak English well and prefer the office to act for them. The old town on its own is worth the stop with some excellent stuben.

Connect
There are a lot of internet cafes all over the town. Just ask.

You can get free internet access at the new Stadtbibliothek (city library), next to the Rathaus (city hall). They have about 30 PC there. WLAN (Wi-Fi) is also available there.

Go next

 * Neu-Ulm (Bavaria)
 * Bad Schussenried
 * Augsburg
 * Stuttgart
 * Tübingen
 * Legoland Germany, about 30km NE of Ulm
 * Blautopf, the source of the Blau River, in Blaubeuren, 16km west of Ulm

title: Ulm