The State Department Store
The State Department Store
4
9:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
159 reviews
Excellent
54
Very good
77
Average
25
Poor
2
Terrible
1
Dan M
Mongolia422 contributions
Jan 2023
I go there almost every day. It has changed a lot since 2005, especially after the fire that gutted the upper floors. It's much more western now. Still over priced, but some thing in Ulaanbaatar, you have to go where the goods are.
I have to peeves: service in the Nomin supermarket on the ground and basement is frustrating.
But on a lighter note, a "waterfall" has been installed in the centre of the complex, dropping water from the seventh to the second floor. I marvel every time I pass it, and wonder what idiot designed and installed it. The splash creates a permanent slip-hazard in its surroundings. As for me as a senior citizen, I start looking around for a rest room.
I have to peeves: service in the Nomin supermarket on the ground and basement is frustrating.
But on a lighter note, a "waterfall" has been installed in the centre of the complex, dropping water from the seventh to the second floor. I marvel every time I pass it, and wonder what idiot designed and installed it. The splash creates a permanent slip-hazard in its surroundings. As for me as a senior citizen, I start looking around for a rest room.
Written January 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TAMAN1951
Liberty Lake, WA8,739 contributions
Jul 2021
Good place to buy all your souvenirs on the top floor.
Lots of other stuff here as well. Nice cashmere goods as well.
Tourist information booth is agent. They can call you a cab when you are ready to leave.
Never did find the food court though.
Bathrooms are a mess and no one really seems to care.
Lots of other stuff here as well. Nice cashmere goods as well.
Tourist information booth is agent. They can call you a cab when you are ready to leave.
Never did find the food court though.
Bathrooms are a mess and no one really seems to care.
Written June 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
geelongexpat
Melbourne, Australia1,250 contributions
Jan 2020 • Solo
There’s a bit for everyone here. A large supermarket on the ground floor. Money exchange and beauty products too. Clothes for all occasions. Souvenirs as well. There’s everyday items like electronics, furniture and kitchenware. A book shop and a food court.
It was busy with locals and expats whenever I was there.
It was busy with locals and expats whenever I was there.
Written February 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dnaleciz
Moreno Valley, CA405 contributions
Nov 2019
If you visit Mongolia you must go to the State Department Store to shop. The store was opened in 1921 as a store based on the concept of GUM (The Soviet version of a State Department Store located in Moscow). Over the decades, the Mongolian version attempted to operated as a model retail enterprise for consumers throughout Mongolia regardless of class, gender, and ethnicity. This concept continued from 1921 until 1991, when Mongolia finally broke free of Soviet control. A new era emerged for the Mongolian State Department Store. Commercialism. Today, The State Department Store, known as ikh delguur (big shop), is a modern shopping center that's the largest and reportedly the most luxurious store in Mongolia. It has become a local institution and a tourist attraction in itself. Here the best products from around the world are on displayed in this 7 story building. The store features a variety of world top international brands and local products such as cashmere and camel leather clothing. You'll also find a number of services like goldsmiths, jewelry shops, seamstresses, beauty parlors, laundries and dry cleaning shops (first floor). Quality cashmere clothing (2nd floor), Clothing (3rd floor): Erdenet carpets and Children's toys (4th floor); electronics and home appliances (5th floor) and a wide range of souvenirs, traditional clothing and books about Mongolia (6th floor). It is reported that the souvenir department has in excess of half million different items on display. There is a diverse and affordable food court, serving Asian and Mongolian cuisine located on the 7th floor. Excellent food. Several fast food shops (Pizza Hut, Burger King and a Coffee and pastry shop are located on the first floor as well as modern supermarket. It should be noted that most of the staff speak some English and will attempt to assist with your purchases. However when you get to the 6th floor, the sales staff comes across with I don't want to be bothered with you attitude. During my several visits to this Store in November 2019 the entire store was decked out in Christmas decorations and there is a large Christmas tree in front of the store. This is a must visit site to purchase different items and observe a remarkable store. To see the entire store from 1st floor to the 7th floor, I suggest spending 3-4 hours. It is a great experience.
Written December 8, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Global768312
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia37 contributions
Oct 2019
I finally visited the State Department Store. It has 5 floors, the first floor is groceries. I did not check it out this time, but it looked huge, so probably has stuff you can't get in the smaller stores.
The other floors have clothes, shoes, housewares, electronics, everything you expect from a department store. They have cashmere stuff, but for the really high quality go to the Gobi store. If you just want something cashmere and of ok quality you can buy scarves and other things there that are much less expensive.
The top floor has the souvenirs. They have a ton of stuff, I got sensory shutdown trying to see it all. I will have to go back to get some more things. You can buy very small portable souvenirs like spoons, key chains magnets, etc. Medium size things like dolls and mugs.Then they have a big leather section, Mongolia has superior leather goods. They have a lot of slippers in leather, but I wanted felt slippers. They had some but not nearly as many as the leather ones. I ended up buying my slippers from a different store which I have also reviewed. They have a lovely section of furs, traditional Mongol and Russian fur hats etc. Not cheap!
They have some traditional jewelry and clothing, hand painted leather pictures, Chinggis Khaan is a well used motif in souvenirs. I will go back and look for specific things next time as I was so overwhelmed I forgot a few things.
An all-inclusive store for one-stop-shopping if you don't have much time, or don't want to shop at multiple stores.
The other floors have clothes, shoes, housewares, electronics, everything you expect from a department store. They have cashmere stuff, but for the really high quality go to the Gobi store. If you just want something cashmere and of ok quality you can buy scarves and other things there that are much less expensive.
The top floor has the souvenirs. They have a ton of stuff, I got sensory shutdown trying to see it all. I will have to go back to get some more things. You can buy very small portable souvenirs like spoons, key chains magnets, etc. Medium size things like dolls and mugs.Then they have a big leather section, Mongolia has superior leather goods. They have a lot of slippers in leather, but I wanted felt slippers. They had some but not nearly as many as the leather ones. I ended up buying my slippers from a different store which I have also reviewed. They have a lovely section of furs, traditional Mongol and Russian fur hats etc. Not cheap!
They have some traditional jewelry and clothing, hand painted leather pictures, Chinggis Khaan is a well used motif in souvenirs. I will go back and look for specific things next time as I was so overwhelmed I forgot a few things.
An all-inclusive store for one-stop-shopping if you don't have much time, or don't want to shop at multiple stores.
Written November 3, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Karen P
Cheyenne, WY55 contributions
Apr 2017 • Family
During our time in Ulaanbaatar, we were able to visit the State Department Store twice. The 6 floors feature an atrium with escalators in the center creating an open feeling. If you are missing anything from America you just might be able to find it here, along with local goods. The first floor features cosmetics and fragrances in the front, and up 1/2 a level is a wonderful supermarket! There's even a Cinnabon shop. The upper levels feature housewares, bedding, clothing, shoes, and electronics. On the top level is a book store and a shop featuring local goods made in Mongolia.
Written May 2, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
100bonnie
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia7 contributions
Apr 2017 • Solo
While the customer service remains non-existent, and the staff attitudes towards foreigners often blatantly hostile, they seem to have developed a new scam. When buying clothing, they will remove the tags from your chosen items and send you to the cashier to pay, while they pack your items into a bag somewhere out of sight.
Once you have paid, they hand you your parcel with only half of the items you have paid for. Be sure to check your receipt, change and the contents of your parcel before you leave the cashier.
Once you have paid, they hand you your parcel with only half of the items you have paid for. Be sure to check your receipt, change and the contents of your parcel before you leave the cashier.
Written April 3, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
farmakeros f
Larissa, Greece296 contributions
Jul 2016 • Family
This mall is good for shopping. You can find also a big supermarket in the ground floor. The best thing is the money exchanger straight from the main entrance. It is open every day until 21:00. The rate is very good! We recommend it!
Written August 9, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cap Chastain
Anchorage, AK17,437 contributions
May 2016
In my humble opinion The State Department Store on Peace Avenue West of Chinggis Khaan Square is the best. Six floors of a wide range of items from cell phones and service providers to electronics to books to tourist items for visitors to the Nomin Supermarket and floral shop on the first floor to housewares and clothing for the entire family and when you run out of steam there are TWO Cinnabon outlets on the first and sixth floors. And I have not mentioned all of their items.
Written May 14, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lakecomo28
Malmö, Sweden121 contributions
Aug 2015 • Solo
I was recommended to come here by several people. Hotels also seem to recommend it for tourists who want to purchase souvenirs from Mongolia. I found that the souvenirs here were at least 10% - 20% cheaper than those sold outside. This can be found on the 5th floor, in the 'bookstore'. The rest of the floors below are like your typical modern shopping center. The wordings on the facade of this building is interestingly retro. I noticed it said that it was built in 1924, that's a long time ago!!
Written September 1, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Would I get a reasonable winter hooded jacket/coat? Also winter boots?
Written January 9, 2016
Hi I checked this afternoon again.
You can buy easily winter jackets and hooded.
but winter boots .. will be quite hard.
there was no enough boots.
Written July 25, 2018
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