Things to Do in Mongolia in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
December Weather in Mongolia
Is December Right for You?
Advantages
- Pristine winter landscapes with crystal-clear visibility extending 50+ km (31+ miles) across the steppes - photographers get those iconic shots of gers against snow-covered mountains without summer's dust haze
- Genuine cultural immersion during Tsagaan Sar preparations when locals are making traditional dairy products and you can actually participate in felt-making workshops that are too hot to run in summer
- Rock-bottom accommodation prices, typically 40-60% below summer rates - that luxury ger camp charging USD 300 in July? You're looking at USD 120-150 in December, and you'll have the place nearly to yourself
- Winter festivals including the Eagle Festival afterparty events and ice festivals on frozen lakes where you can watch or participate in traditional ice games that have been played for centuries
Considerations
- This is legitimately dangerous cold - frostbite can occur in under 10 minutes on exposed skin, and if your vehicle breaks down outside Ulaanbaatar, you're in a serious survival situation
- Most tourist infrastructure outside the capital completely shuts down - ger camps close, domestic flights get cancelled frequently, and roads to popular summer destinations like Khuvsgul Lake become impassable
- Extreme air pollution in Ulaanbaatar reaches hazardous levels (AQI regularly 200-400) as ger districts burn coal for heating, making the city genuinely unpleasant and unhealthy for extended periods
Best Activities in December
Terelj National Park Winter Hiking and Ice Activities
December transforms Terelj into a completely different landscape from the summer tourist rush. The Tuul River freezes solid enough for ice skating and ice fishing, and winter hiking to Turtle Rock through snow-covered pine forests is spectacular when visibility is perfect. The cold actually makes hiking more comfortable than summer once you're moving - no dust, no bugs, no crowds. You'll likely see the park's wildlife more easily against snow, and local families come out on weekends for sledding and traditional winter games.
Ulaanbaatar Museum Circuit and Indoor Cultural Experiences
When it's -30°C (-22°F) outside, Ulaanbaatar's museums become essential rather than optional. The National Museum of Mongolia, Zanabazar Museum of Fine Arts, and Choijin Lama Temple Museum are properly heated and give you the historical context that makes the rest of Mongolia make sense. December is actually ideal because you're not fighting summer tour groups, and museum staff have more time to chat. The Winter Palace of the Bogd Khan is particularly atmospheric in snow.
Traditional Felt-Making and Winter Craft Workshops
Winter is when Mongolian families actually make and repair their felt products, and several cooperatives in Ulaanbaatar run hands-on workshops where you're learning the real process, not a tourist demonstration. You'll work with wool that's been prepared for winter ger insulation, learn why certain felting techniques matter for -40°C survival, and leave with something you actually made. This is cultural immersion that's only available when locals are doing this work anyway.
Frozen Lake Ice Fishing and Winter Nomad Visits
Lakes within 100 km (62 miles) of Ulaanbaatar freeze to 60-80 cm (24-31 inches) thick, and ice fishing becomes a legitimate activity rather than a tourist gimmick. You'll drill through ice, set traditional lines, and actually catch fish that locals are catching for winter protein. Combine this with visits to winter nomad camps where families are in their coldest-weather routines - this is when you see how ger heating actually works and why felt quality matters.
Gorkhi-Terelj Winter Photography Expeditions
December offers the year's best photography conditions - clear air, dramatic side-lighting from low sun angles, and landscapes that look genuinely different from every Mongolia photo you've seen. Snow-covered steppes, frozen waterfalls, and gers with smoke rising in -30°C air create shots that summer tourists simply cannot get. The 2-3 hour golden hour light in winter is spectacular.
Zaisan Memorial Sunrise Hikes and Winter Fitness Activities
The 612-step climb to Zaisan Memorial becomes a legitimate winter activity when locals use it for cold-weather training. Going at sunrise (around 8:30am in December) gives you Ulaanbaatar views before the coal smoke builds up, and you'll be hiking alongside Mongolians doing their morning exercise routine. The cold makes the climb more comfortable than summer heat, and winter visibility means you can actually see the surrounding mountains clearly.
December Events & Festivals
Tsagaan Sar Preparations
While Tsagaan Sar (Lunar New Year) itself falls in late January or February, December is preparation season when families make traditional dairy products, prepare decorations, and clean everything. You can watch and participate in making aaruul (dried curds), boortsog (fried cookies), and other traditional foods. This is actually more interesting than the festival itself for cultural learners because you see the real work.
Ice Festival at Khuvsgul Lake
Though Khuvsgul Lake itself is extremely difficult to reach in December, smaller ice festivals happen on frozen lakes near Ulaanbaatar featuring traditional ice games, horse sledding, and ice sculpture competitions. These are genuine local events rather than tourist productions, and you'll see traditional winter sports that have been played for generations.