Ulan Bator Weather in December

December: deep winter

December is bitterly cold in Ulaanbaatar, with daytime highs around -12°C and nights near -21°C. November is milder, while January is a little colder still. There's little rain, but the short days leave you only about eight hours of daylight.

That makes long walks and outdoor sightseeing tough. Keep visits to Gandan Monastery or the National Museum of Mongolia short, then warm up in a café or museum. The city's winter air can also feel harsh, so don't expect comfortable conditions for a full day outdoors.

New Year in the city

Ulaanbaatar celebrates New Year with public festivities around Sukhbaatar Square. You'll see seasonal lights and decorations, though the cold makes standing outside for long a challenge. Christmas is marked by some shops and hotels, but it isn't Mongolia's main traditional holiday. Tsagaan Sar, the lunar New Year, usually falls later in winter.

If you hate crowds, December is a quieter time to visit than the summer high season. Tourist numbers are low, and accommodation is often cheaper than in the warmer months. The trade-off is fewer comfortable hours for exploring on foot.

Make the cold work for you

Travelling with kids? Keep outdoor stops brief and plan indoor breaks between them. A visit to the Bogd Khan Winter Palace Museum can pair well with a warm meal in the city; try buuz, steamed dumplings that are especially welcome on a cold day.

For a practical city outing, take a taxi to Zaisan Memorial rather than walking up from central Ulaanbaatar. The climb can be punishing in the cold, and the daylight window is short. If the steps and viewing area are icy, skip the climb and enjoy the city from indoors instead.