Mongolia
Profiled in Ulaanbaatar · East Asia
A raw steppe-and-Soviet capital where glass towers rise beside felt gers, cashmere is king, and the wild outdoors begins right at the city limits.
Cost of living
What a month costs
Ulaanbaatar is cheap by global capital standards. Rent, food and local services cost little, but imported goods, quality schooling and clean-air upgrades push a family budget higher.
The scores
How it rates for a moving family
See and do
Top 10 in Ulaanbaatar
- Gandantegchinlen MonasteryThe largest working monastery, home to the towering gilded Migjid Janraisig statue.
- Sükhbaatar SquareThe civic heart, ringed by parliament and the seated bronze of Genghis Khan.
- National Museum of MongoliaThe best overview of the country, from Stone Age to the Mongol empire and the socialist era.
- Choijin Lama Temple MuseumA preserved early 20th-century temple complex of masks, thangkas and quiet courtyards downtown.
- Bogd Khan Winter Palace MuseumThe last king's palace, packed with ceremonial robes, taxidermy gifts and Buddhist art.
- Zaisan MemorialA Soviet-era hilltop monument on the south edge with the widest views over the whole valley.
- Zanabazar Museum of Fine ArtsMongolia's finest collection of religious art, centred on the sculptor-monk Zanabazar.
- Naran Tuul MarketThe sprawling open-air market, known as the Black Market, for boots, saddles, deels and cashmere.
- State Department StoreA Soviet landmark turned modern mall, useful for cashmere shopping and a top-floor supermarket.
Where to go
Weekend escapes
- Gorkhi-Terelj National ParkAbout an hour northeast. Ger camps, hiking and the famous Turtle Rock make it the easiest wild escape.
- Chinggis Khaan Statue ComplexThe giant steel equestrian statue at Tsonjin Boldog, roughly 54km east, with steppe views from the horse's head.
- Hustai National ParkAround 100km west, home to the reintroduced wild takhi horses and easy grassland walks.
- Manzushir MonasteryRuined temple on the forested south slope of Bogd Khan mountain near Zuunmod, good for a day of walking.
- Kharkhorin and Erdene ZuuThe ancient imperial capital and Mongolia's oldest monastery, a long but rewarding weekend push west.
Coffee
Best cafes
- Millie's CaféA long-running expat favourite near Choijin Lama Temple, strong coffee and reliable comfort food.
- Café AmsterdamDutch-styled café off Sükhbaatar Square, a steady spot for espresso and cake.
- Tom N Toms CoffeeThe Korean coffee chain with central Ulaanbaatar branches for wifi and easy sitting.
Restaurants
Where to eat
- Modern NomadsThe go-to for traditional Mongolian dishes, from khorkhog to buuz, in a comfortable setting.
- HazaraLong-established North Indian tandoori restaurant, a firm favourite with the expat crowd.
- VerandaMediterranean and Italian plates with a terrace looking over the Choijin Lama Temple.
- Rosewood Kitchen + EnotecaUpscale international cooking and one of the better wine lists in the city.
- BullPopular Mongolian hotpot chain where you cook thin lamb and beef at the table.
Morning
Best breakfast
- Millie's CaféAmerican-style eggs, pancakes and proper coffee, the classic Ulaanbaatar morning.
- Café AmsterdamEuropean breakfast with eggs, pastries and a quiet street-side view.
- Rosewood Kitchen + EnotecaA calmer weekend brunch option when you want something more polished.
Residency
Mongolia grants renewable residence permits for work, family and investment, with a longer-term investor route for those putting meaningful capital into a local company. Permits are workable but paperwork is slow and best handled with a local agent.
Tax
Mongolia levies a low flat personal income tax of 10 percent on most income, with progressive rates up to 20 percent on high salaries. Corporate tax starts at 10 percent, which keeps the overall burden light by regional standards.
Curious what you would actually pay? See the Mongolia tax profile: income, corporate, VAT and exit rules →
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