Shopping

Ulaanbaatar is an antique shopper’s paradise and features shops selling vintage pieces of art along with quaint run down blackholes putting up musical instruments for sale. There are large imported food flea markets, artificial jewelry stores, markets selling smuggled goods at throw away prices and shops selling camping and fishing equipment. Ulaanbaatar is a vast storehouse of bargains that is still waiting to be discovered.

Amarbayasgalant Antique

Antique purists who are extremely fastidious about their vintage buys and are wary of being swindled by the more notorious antique shops burgeoning in Ulaanbaatar can head straight to Amarbayasgalant Antique (located in the town center), an upscale antique shop that is meant for earnest and exclusive buyers. There are Buddhist statues, sutras and an assortment of other unusual and rare pieces of vintage art. The store sells all its antique wares with a certificate of authenticity and is one of the most genuine and reliable places to pick up old relics.

Merkuri Market

If you are planning to whip up some delicious meals to cut costs, look no further than the Merkuri Market (located off Tserendorjiin Gudamj in central Ulaanbaatar) that offers an array of imported vegetables, meat, cheese and a whole lot of other food stuff at the most incredible bargain prices. Pick up rich, sumptuous food items like crabs, caviar and oysters at unheard of prices.

Argasun Argasum

A haven for musically inclined visitors, this charming store sells a fascinating collection of musical instruments that also double as decorative relics of art. Buy the traditional Mongolian instrument ‘Morin’ that is priced between T 175 and T 500. There are other are other high-quality, rare and freely available musical pieces and are all reasonably priced. Another good musical instrument shop is the Egshiglen Magnai National Musical Instrument Shop (located adjacent to the Museum of National History) that sells lovely zithers and dual-stringed traditional fiddles.

Naran Tuul Market

Naran Tuul Market housed east of the town center and is the infamous Black Market of Ulaanbaatar that puts up lost, smuggled and stolen goods for sale. You can buy everything from luggage, jackets, watches, handbags, antique pieces, artifacts and a host of other ‘freshly fleeced’ items. Don’t get swayed by the rock bottom prices as you may not be assured of quality. Check thoroughly before buying anything. If you are lucky, you may bag some great designer brands for a steal. Ulaanbaatar is a unique shopping destination that has a very individualistic identity and features rare goods that hard to find anywhere in the continent.