Ulaanbaatar department stores near downtown offer many curios, antiques, artwork and fine winter clothing. Good leather jackets, cashmere sweaters, camel wool vests and blankets can be found at excellent prices. Traditional embroidered boots with upturned toes, deels tied with silk scarves, fox fur hats and stylish Mongol jackets are mostly homemade but can be found in some shops. The supermarkets (or at least the Mongolian type) usually have stock foods like rice, western and local noodles, bread, sugar, flour. The stores in large cities like Ulaanbaatar are rather well stocked, you can get almost everything - if you search hard enough.

In smaller towns the situation is very variable. If you happen to be in town when there is market, your chances of finding what you need are pretty good. On the markets you can even get vegetables (especially cabbage and tomatoes), different kinds of breads, and fresh meat in addition to stock foods.

Typical Mongolian souvenirs, garments, quality cashmere, camel wool, national costumes, boots, jewelry, silver works, paintings on papers/canvas, Buddhist Tankas on silk, handmade carpets and rugs, snuff bottles, embroideries, leather clothes, books, maps and records are all available at reasonable prices. The Department Stores have almost everything, from food to the above items.

There are also many smaller shops and local markets as well as art and souvenir shops. Tourist shops are easy to find in the summer months, and one should make an effort to look beyond the pricey gifts shops at the main hotels. The following are worth visiting; note that some are not named, and are only known as ‘art shop’ or ’souvenir shop’. Mongol-style paintings, books on Mongolian art, and traditional musical instruments make excellent gifts. Antique shops offer a good range of old kettles, silver bowls, knives and Buddhist artwork. As a word of warning, official opening and closing times in government offices, shops and museums are not held in high regard. Be prepared to alter your schedule and improvise.

At the Ulaanbaatar Central Market, towards the back, is a section reserved for antiques and coin sellers (this is the best reason to visit the market). It is, however, illegal to take antiques out of the country unless purchased from an authorized shop (customs agents will ask for a receipt). Some curios at the market are new, including snuff bottles and the famous Mongolian wood saddle. There are many sticky fingers about so leave your valuables in the hotel.