Choir, Mongolia Travel Guide

City City in Govī-Sumber, Mongolia with nomadic culture

A railway hub on the Trans‑Mongolian line, Choir serves as a base for steppe journeys: ger stays, horse treks, and long drives under enormous sky. Travelers come for nomadic hospitality, vast landscapes, and weathered Soviet architecture.

Main image
Bagakhangai - Choir Road (A01 Route) in Govisümber, Mongolia (2008).jpg
Cafe - panoramio - mmpos1.jpg
Choyr general view.JPG
Jügderdemidiin Gürragchaa sculpture.jpg
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21PFM, Russia - Air Force AN2176423.jpg
Tjojr.jpg
Costs
Very budget: $30-70 per day
Basic pricing for Mongolian small towns; simple guesthouses and eating stalls.
Safety
Relatively safe
Small provincial garrison town with low petty-crime levels.
Best Time
May-September
Milder weather and clearer skies for overland travel and railway stops.
Time
Weather
Population
10,434
Infrastructure & Convenience
Basic town services, rail connections, limited hotels and English not widely spoken.
Popularity
Rarely visited by international tourists; mainly a transit and regional centre.
Known For
Trans‑Mongolian Railway stop, steppe landscapes, provincial administration, Soviet-era architecture, caravan services, local markets
Choir is the administrative centre of Govisümber Province and a key stop on the Trans‑Mongolian Railway.

Why Visit Choir, Mongolia? #

Choir offers a glimpse of Mongolia’s vast steppe landscapes and nomadic life, with open grasslands perfect for horseback riding and ger stays. As a provincial rail and service town, it serves as a jumping-off point for Gobi-edge excursions and local festivals that celebrate horse culture. The sparse horizons and sweeping plains appeal to travelers seeking unhurried, off-grid experiences.

Top Things to Do in Choir, Mongolia

Don't Miss
  • Choir central square - Town's main square where locals gather, with shops, cafés, and public sculptures.
  • Choir railway junction - Historic railway junction illustrating Mongolia's Soviet-era transport development and infrastructure.
  • Local bazaar - Bustling bazaar offering regional foodstuffs, household goods, and everyday Mongolian products.
Hidden Gems
  • Choir airfield remnants - Soviet-era airfield remains and hangars offering a glimpse into Cold War history.
  • Steppe lookout points - Nearby rises provide uninterrupted steppe panoramas and sunrise or sunset viewing spots.
  • Nomadic family visits - Opportunities to meet nomadic families and learn about herding life and traditions nearby.
Day Trips
  • Töv Province steppe routes - Drive across steppe landscapes to small herder settlements and wide open horizons nearby.
  • Govisümber provincial centre - Short trip to the provincial centre for administrative history and local markets and services.

Best Time to Visit Choir, Mongolia #

Choir experiences extreme continental seasons-bitter winters and warm, dry summers. Visit in summer for nomadic culture, trekking and open landscapes; avoid winter unless prepared for severe cold and limited services.

Winter
November - March · -35 - -15°C (-31 - 5°F)
Brutally cold, long winters with deep snow and fierce winds; travel can be hazardous, and only those seeking stark winter landscapes should attempt a visit.
Spring
April - May · -5 - 15°C (23 - 59°F)
Short, changeable spring with melting steppe and dusty winds; roads improve late, but unpredictable weather makes flexible plans essential for travelers.
Summer
June - August · 15 - 30°C (59 - 86°F)
Warm, dry summers are ideal for nomadic culture visits, horseback treks and open skies; bring sun protection and prepare for chilly nights.

Best Time to Visit Choir, Mongolia #

Climate

Choir, Mongolia's climate is classified as Cold Semi-Arid - Cold Semi-Arid climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -26°C to 25°C. Very dry conditions with minimal rainfall with a pronounced dry season.

Best Time to Visit
JuneAugustJuly
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
39°
Warmest Month
-35°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coldest month with highs of -15°C and lows of -26°C. The driest month with just 2 mm.

48 Poor

Comfort

-20°
Feels Like Freezing
-20°C
Temperature
-26° -15°
80%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

2 mm
Rainfall
2.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.9h daylight

February

February is freezing with highs of -10°C and lows of -23°C. The driest month with just 2 mm.

49 Poor

Comfort

-16°
Feels Like Freezing
-16°C
Temperature
-23° -10°
70%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

2 mm
Rainfall
3.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.3
UV Index
Low
10.2h daylight

March

March is freezing with highs of -1°C and lows of -15°C. Almost no rain.

53 Acceptable

Comfort

-8°
Feels Like Freezing
-8°C
Temperature
-15° -1°
51%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

3 mm
Rainfall
3.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.7
UV Index
Moderate
11.8h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of -5°C. Almost no rain.

72 Very Good

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-5° 10°
40%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

6 mm
Rainfall
4.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.2
UV Index
High
13.4h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 3°C. Almost no rain and partly cloudy skies.

80 Excellent

Comfort

11°
Feels Like Cool
11°C
Temperature
19°
37%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

9 mm
Rainfall
4.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.6
UV Index
Very High
14.8h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 24°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (33 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

86 Excellent

Comfort

17°
Feels Like Cool
17°C
Temperature
10° 24°
42%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

33 mm
Rainfall
3.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.8
UV Index
Very High
15.6h daylight

July

July is the warmest month with highs of 25°C and lows of 13°C. The wettest month with 60 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.

82 Excellent

Comfort

19°
Feels Like Mild
19°C
Temperature
13° 25°
47%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

60 mm
Rainfall
3.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.9
UV Index
Very High
15.2h daylight

August

August is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (46 mm).

85 Excellent

Comfort

17°
Feels Like Cool
17°C
Temperature
11° 23°
49%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

46 mm
Rainfall
2.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.6
UV Index
Very High
14.0h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 3°C. Light rainfall.

80 Excellent

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cool
10°C
Temperature
17°
49%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

19 mm
Rainfall
3.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.1
UV Index
High
12.4h daylight

October

October is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of -5°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.

72 Very Good

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-5°
53%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

8 mm
Rainfall
3.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.5
UV Index
Moderate
10.7h daylight

November

November is freezing with highs of -4°C and lows of -16°C. Almost no rain.

53 Acceptable

Comfort

-10°
Feels Like Freezing
-10°C
Temperature
-17° -4°
66%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

5 mm
Rainfall
3.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.2
UV Index
Low
9.3h daylight

December

December is freezing with highs of -13°C and lows of -24°C. Almost no rain.

48 Poor

Comfort

-18°
Feels Like Freezing
-18°C
Temperature
-24° -13°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

3 mm
Rainfall
2.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.5h daylight

How to Get to Choir, Mongolia

Choir (Choyr) lies on Mongolia's Trans‑Mongolian Railway and can be reached by long‑distance train from Ulaanbaatar or by road. Domestic air services to the local airstrip exist but are irregular-rail and road are the more dependable options.

By Air

Choir (Choyr) Airport (local airstrip): Choir (often spelled Choyr/Choir) has a small local airstrip that sees occasional domestic flights or charter services; scheduled services can be infrequent. If flying, check Mongolian domestic carriers for availability and book well in advance.

Ulaanbaatar (Chinggis Khaan International, UB): Most visitors fly into Ulaanbaatar and then continue overland or by domestic flight/charter to reach Choir. Overland travel from Ulaanbaatar by road takes several hours-plan for a combined road/air option depending on schedules.

By Train & Bus

Train: Choir has a railway station on the Trans‑Mongolian Railway (Choir station). Trains connect Choir to Ulaanbaatar and the eastern/western mainline; travel times vary (several hours) depending on service and direction-book sleeper berths for overnight journeys.

Bus / Road: Long‑distance buses and shared taxis serve Choir from Ulaanbaatar and regional centres. Road travel is common; roads can be slow in poor weather so allow ample time for land transfers.

Where to Stay in Choir, Mongolia #

Budget
Town Centre - $10-40/night (MNT equivalent)
Choir is a remote provincial town with basic guesthouses and travellers' hostels. Facilities are utilitarian; book ahead in winter and festival times.
Mid-Range
Near railway / administrative centre - $40-90/night
Mid-range stays are limited to small, state-run hotels and guesthouses. Expect basic comforts rather than boutique hospitality.
Luxury
Ulaanbaatar (connect) - $150+/night
No luxury hotels in Choir; travellers seeking higher-end services should plan to stay in Ulaanbaatar before or after regional travel.

Where to Eat in Choir, Mongolia #

Breakdown of cuisine types found across Choir, Mongolia's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.

Burger
Asian
Pizza
Seafood