Young, vibrant and bursting with investment potential, Ulaanbaatar is one of the fastest modernizing cities on the planet. Mongolia’s recent mining boom has triggered high-octane economic growth in the country, transforming the capital city from a dusty communist outpost to a modern hub of industry. Since its transition to a free market economy in 1990, the city’s population has more than doubled to 1.3 million inhabitants - roughly 50% of Mongolia’s entire population. Luxurious shopping malls, modern art galleries, restaurants and cafes now stand where, mere decades ago, sand storms and goats reigned supreme. The transition from basic Nomadism to overnight prosperity has yielded inevitable growing pains. Wealth disparity, an outdated legal system and environmental degradation have emerged as key challenges. Many of the city’s unpaved roads have yet to be assigned street addresses, and postcodes are only just being introduced. On the upside, expats who find themselves in Ulaanbaatar will rarely find themselves at a loss for what to do. It is Asia’s cheapest city in terms of living costs; here, you will find that retail therapy, outdoor ice-skating rinks, bowling alleys, cinema complexes and theatres are easily accessible and highly affordable. Out of office hours, the city’s tightknit, fast-growing and highly diverse expat network ensures you’ll always find yourself in interesting company. For moments of reflection, the city’s enthralling history is documented in several museums, ancient temples and monasteries that hark back to the days when Ulaanbaatar was a nomadic Buddhist temple site. Mongolia’s inimitable steppes, breathtaking mountains and beautiful lakes just beyond the city’s borders, coupled with the city’s irrepressible energy, make Ulaanbaatar an unforgettable experience.