Tour Ulaanbaatar’s Black Market with a Local

Bring a local guide with you to help navigate Narantuul, Ulaanbaatar’s Black Market. Find the perfect traditional Mongolian deel, authentic souvenirs, cheap cashmere, and more.

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When most people hear the words ‘Black Market’ they get the completely wrong idea about Narantuul, Ulaanbaatar’s largest open market.

While this isn’t an underground hub for Mongolia’s seedy crowd, it is a market where locals come to shop for just about everything. From furniture for their homes to everyday clothing, horse tack to Mongolian deels, including everything you need to make them such as fabric and bells and buttons, the Black Market is where you can find it all.

In fact, the Black Market was where I bought my first Mongolian deel. It’s also where I buy my horse riding boots each summer, as well as new wool-lined boots each winter. It’s also a great place to find reasonably priced, high-quality cashmere and unique snuff bottles. Especially if you think you didn’t pack warm enough clothes for your visit to Mongolia.

Every time I shop here, mingling between the closely stationed stalls, it’s always an adventure.

For first time visitors, finding your way through the market can be confusing. Especially if you’re short on time or shopping for something specific. That’s why I recommend going with a local who can take you straight to the best areas of the market and help make sure you get the best deals.

Keep reading to see what this Black Market tour includes and a few things to know when you go.

Book Now

The price to book this Black Market tour starts at $50 USD.

Visit Ulaanbaatar’s largest open-air market with a local.

The price for one person to book is $50 USD. Add $25 USD/person for each person, two and more.

What’s Included in this Black Market Tour

When you’re visiting Ulaanbaatar, the Black Market isn’t to be missed. Here’s what this day tour includes.

Go with an English-speaking local to the market who can help translate and also help you navigate your way through the hundreds of stalls.
The meeting point for this tour is Sukhbaatar Square. This is also where this tour ends.
Taxi to and from the Black Market.

About Aagie, Your Local Guide

Hi everyone! I’m Aagie, the Head Guide at Meanwhile in Mongolia.

As a licensed guide, I’ve been leading tours for three years and I’m excited to introduce you to my city and country. While I’ve lived and studied abroad, Mongolia will always be home and I hope you enjoy exploring it as much as I do.

Let’s go explore the Black Market together!

First-Time Visitors Tips for Visiting the Black Market

While we have a whole article on best tips and how to stay safe when visiting the Black Market, there are a few other things that are important to know.

First, always bring local currency with you. Vendors will only accept Mongolian tugriks, and they’ll expect to be paid in cash. Some vendors will accept credit cards, but international cards don’t always work. Especially Mastercard and American Express.

We don’t really haggle in Mongolia, if you’re buying a few things, you can usually arrange some sort of modest discount. Usually this is 10,000 – 20,000 tugrik off. Having a local guide with you will help get you the best price right away, and then they can try to negotiate even more on your behalf.

If you’re staying in the city center, I recommend taking a taxi to the Black Market. Otherwise, the walk will take 45 minutes to one hour from Sukhbaatar Square. When you’re ready to leave, hailing a taxi off the street can be really difficult in this area. Lots of other people are trying to do the same and traffic in this part of town is usually at a standstill. Having a local with you could really save you here.

Open year round, even in winter, the Black Market is closed on Tuesdays.

For more tips, read our Black Market travel guide →