Things to Do in Mongolia in March
March weather, activities, events & insider tips
March Weather in Mongolia
Is March Right for You?
Advantages
- Cheapest month to visit Mongolia - accommodation runs 40-60% below summer rates, and you'll have near-exclusive access to Ulaanbaatar's museums and cultural sites without the tour bus crowds that descend June through August
- Tsagaan Sar (Lunar New Year) typically falls in late February or early March, meaning you might catch the tail end of celebrations with families still visiting each other, traditional foods everywhere, and locals actually happy to explain customs to curious travelers
- Winter activities are still fully operational - ice festivals on frozen lakes, eagle hunting demonstrations in Bayan-Olgii continue through mid-March, and the Gobi Desert is actually more accessible because frozen ground means vehicles can traverse areas that become impassable mud in spring
- Crystal-clear air and endless blue skies - Ulaanbaatar's notorious coal smoke starts clearing as temperatures slowly rise, visibility stretches for kilometers across the steppe, and you get that piercing light photographers dream about without summer's dust haze
Considerations
- Genuinely brutal cold that most travelers underestimate - daytime highs around 7°C (44°F) sound manageable until you factor in wind chill on the open steppe dropping feels-like temperatures to -25°C (-13°F) or lower, making countryside travel uncomfortable and sometimes dangerous
- Limited countryside access - most ger camps remain closed until May, domestic flights to western provinces run reduced schedules, and road conditions to anywhere beyond Terelj National Park require serious 4WD capability and experienced drivers who know which rivers are safely frozen
- Ulaanbaatar still burns coal for heating through March, so while improving from January-February peaks, air quality can spike to unhealthy levels on windless mornings, particularly affecting anyone with respiratory sensitivities
Best Activities in March
Terelj National Park Winter Experiences
Just 80 km (50 miles) from Ulaanbaatar, Terelj remains accessible year-round and offers a manageable introduction to Mongolia's winter landscape without the extreme remoteness of other regions. March is actually ideal because temperatures are climbing enough that day trips become comfortable while snow coverage remains excellent for activities. You'll find ice skating on frozen rivers, short hikes to Turtle Rock that won't leave you frostbitten, and several ger camps that stay open specifically for winter visitors. The landscape transforms completely from summer - those rocky outcrops against white snow create dramatic scenery, and you might spot ibex that descend to lower elevations this time of year. Most importantly, you can test your cold tolerance here before committing to deeper countryside adventures.
Ulaanbaatar Museum Circuit
March is legitimately the best month for deep-diving into UB's museum scene because you'll have galleries nearly to yourself and indoor exploration makes perfect sense when it's -10°C (14°F) outside. The National Museum of Mongolia recently renovated its Mongol Empire section with artifacts most tourists rush through in summer, the Zanabazar Museum of Fine Arts keeps comfortable temperatures for viewing Buddhist art, and the Winter Palace of Bogd Khan gives you context for Mongolia's complex history. Interestingly, museum staff are more chatty and helpful in low season - I've had 20-minute conversations about specific exhibits that would never happen during summer crowds. Plan 2-3 hours per major museum, and note that several are closed Mondays.
Traditional Throat Singing and Cultural Performances
Winter is actually peak season for indoor cultural performances, and March offers excellent opportunities to experience khoomei (throat singing), contortionist acts, and traditional dance in intimate venues. The Tumen Ekh Ensemble performs almost nightly at their theater, and several smaller venues around Ulaanbaatar host performances specifically aimed at the limited but dedicated winter visitors. What makes March special is you're seeing performances Mongolians themselves attend - not just tourist shows - because it's still cultural season following Tsagaan Sar. The National Academic Drama Theatre also runs Mongolian-language productions that are visually spectacular even if you don't follow the dialogue.
Hustai National Park Day Trips
March offers a unique window for spotting takhi (Przewalski's horses) because they're still in winter herds and concentrated in lower valleys where food is accessible, making sightings more reliable than summer when they disperse across the park's 50,000 hectares (123,500 acres). The 100 km (62 mile) drive from Ulaanbaatar takes about 2 hours on paved roads that remain clear in March. You'll need serious cold-weather gear for the open-air viewing areas, but the advantage is crystalline visibility - you can spot horse herds from 2-3 km (1.2-1.9 miles) away across snow-covered steppe. The park's ger camp stays open year-round specifically for wildlife enthusiasts willing to brave the cold. Worth noting that deer and wolves are also more visible against snow.
Mongolian Cooking Classes and Food Experiences
March is prime time for learning traditional Mongolian cooking because it's winter food season - you'll work with ingredients and techniques that define Mongolian cuisine but aren't as prominent in summer. Think buuz (steamed dumplings) which are everywhere during Tsagaan Sar, khorkhog (meat cooked with hot stones), and hearty soups that actually make sense in -10°C (14°F) weather. Several guesthouses and cultural centers offer hands-on classes where you'll make 3-4 dishes over 2-3 hours, then eat what you've prepared. The bonus is learning about food culture from locals who have time to chat in low season - you'll hear stories about Tsagaan Sar preparations and why certain dishes matter.
Chinggis Khan Statue Complex and Surrounding Area
The 40 m (131 ft) tall statue complex at Tsonjin Boldog, about 54 km (34 miles) east of Ulaanbaatar, is actually more dramatic in winter when snow covers the surrounding steppe and visitor numbers drop to maybe 20-30 people per day versus hundreds in summer. You can take the elevator up into the horse's head for panoramic views that extend for kilometers across white landscape. March timing means the access road is reliably clear but you're not dealing with summer dust or crowds. The complex includes a museum covering Mongol Empire history, and the attached ger camp serves hot tea and traditional food. Plan 4-5 hours for the round trip including travel time and exploration.
March Events & Festivals
Tsagaan Sar (Lunar New Year) Aftermath
While Tsagaan Sar itself typically falls in late February, the celebration extends well into early March as Mongolian families continue visiting relatives in a prescribed order - younger visiting older over a 2-3 week period. If you're in Mongolia during early March, you'll notice shops selling traditional foods like aaruul (dried curds) and ul boov (ceremonial cake towers), families dressed in traditional deel, and a general festive atmosphere. Many locals will invite curious travelers to join family gatherings if you express genuine interest. The cultural immersion opportunity here is significant - you'll experience hospitality customs, try traditional foods, and see Mongolia's social structure in action. Markets and some businesses run reduced hours through early March.