Ulgii city: Center of Bayan Ulgii province

Ulgii is a city in western Mongolia that serves as the capital of Bayan-Ulgii Aimag. It’s located at an altitude of 1,710 meters (5,610 feet) and has a population of 28,496 people. The town is predominantly populated by Kazakhs and thus the primary language spoken there is Kazakh.

The city also known for its vibrant embroidery industry with works heavily inspired by Kazakh music and art; not to mention its annual Golden Eagle Festival which celebrates the ancient Kazakhstan custom eagle hunting every October. Ulgii is the perfect place to travel to see a different side of Mongolia.

BAYAN ULGII PROVINCE

Main town: Ulgii

Territory: 47400 км²

Distance: 1709 km from UB

Bayan Ulgii is the most western province in Mongolia and borders China and Russia. The neighbouring provinces are Uvs and Khovd. The most popular tourist attractions in Bayan ulgii are:

mountaineering and hiking in the high Altai Mountains,
attending the Golden Eagle hunting festival,
experiencing Kazakh nation’s culture by taking part in their everyday nomadic lifestyle,
snow leopard, Argali sheep, Ibex, and bird watching.

If you’re looking to explore ancient, off-the-beaten path sites, the Mongol Altai province is rich with archaeological treasures like balbal stone figures, deer stones, kiirgans burial mounds), and 10,000 petroglyphs near Tsagaan Sala. For more information on visiting these remote locations, contact the Ulgii office of the Mongol Altai Nuruu Special Protected Area.

Bayan ulgii map

Bayan ulgii weather

Bayan Ulgii experiences a continental climate with large temperature fluctuations between day and night. Additionally, the annual rainfall is 102.6mm but due to its desert location, this number can vary greatly year to year. The temperature range is between 10°C~30°C summer to winter -15°C~-30°C.

WHAT TO DO IN ULGII, MONGOLIA

Olgii has a unique feeling because it is isolated from the rest of Mongolia and surrounded by mountains. If you visit, you’ll feel like you’ve traveled back in time 20 years due to the lack of modernization. This is most likely because Olgii was bypassed during rapid growth in other mining towns nearby. Additionally, the proliferation of low houses made out of mud bricks as well as traditional Kazakh clothing and customs all contribute to this check Kyrgyzstan-like experience. But here lies the beauty of Ulgii city , in its rustic charm.

We highly recommend you visit the Bayan-Ulgii province museum.This three story building is packed with displays on local culture, history, and nature – perfect for getting to know Bayan-Olgii before exploring it further.
The town of Ulgii lies on the banks of the Khovd river and is therefore the perfect starting point for any trips into Tavan Bogd National Park.
Visit Tolbo Lake while you’re in the area – it’s only a 50km drive south of Ulgii. The lake is high up (2080m) and offers expansive, eerie views. Although the shoreline is treeless, it’s still worth a visit.
There are a few dining possibilities in Olgii, offering the same standard Mongolian cuisine you can find anywhere else in the country. The Pumakkale Turkish restaurant down the street is popular among tourists for its reasonable prices and fun atmosphere.

HOW TO GET TO ULGII, MONGOLIA

By bus

There is a bus that leaves from Ulaanbaatar to Ulgii three times a week. The journey takes at least 48 hours on mostly unpaved roads. The bus departs from the Dragon Center in Ulaanbaatar and arrives at the Theater in Ulgii (a large red building west of the square).

Shared jeeps travel to and from Khovd daily. They’re cheap but tend to be overcrowded. You can catch one at the Bazaar in Ulgii or Black Market in Hovd. The time they leave varies depending on the driver, but it usually takes around 8 hours total with a break for dinner halfway through consisting of steamed mutton dumplings and fried pancakes.

By plane

The Ulgii Airport is situated 5 kilometers from the bustling city center. With a new concrete runway and state-of-the-art equipment, the airport has become a modern travel hub. The majority of flights departing from Ulgii are bound for Ulaanbaatar; however, there are also periodic stops in Hovd, Ulaangom, and Moron. In the past, there were even flights to Kazakhstan; unfortunately, those routes have since been discontinued.

Mongolia Winter tours

Visit Mongolian Eagle Hunter