Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, is the coldest capital city in the world. During winter, temperatures can fall as low as -40°C (-40°F). The city experiences long, freezing winters due to its high altitude and location in Central Asia.
People in Ulaanbaatar rely on coal and wood for heating, as natural gas is not widely available. Despite the cold, the city has a rich culture with centuries-old traditions.
Harbin, China
Harbin is known as China’s “Ice City”because of its freezing winters. Temperatures in winter can drop to -38°C (-36°F). The city is famous for the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival, where artists create colossal ice sculptures.
Harbin’s cold weather is due to its location in northeastern China, where cold winds from Siberia bring freezing temperatures.
Yellowknife, Canada
Yellowknife, the capital of Canada’s Northwest Territories, is one of the coldest cities in North America. Winter temperatures often reach -40°C (-40°F) or lower. The city is located near the Arctic Circle, which experiences long, dark winters.
However, Yellowknife is also one of the best places in the world to see the Northern Lights. Residents stay warm by wearing thick clothing and using modern heating systems.
Norilsk, Russia
Norilsk is one of the coldest and most isolated cities in Russia.
Winter temperatures can drop as low as -50°C (-58°F). The city is built on permafrost, meaning the ground is frozen all year round. Norilsk is known for its nickel mining industry, but pollution is a big problem.
Despite the harsh climate, over 170,000 people live here, making it one of the largest cold cities in the world.
Yakutsk, Russia
Yakutsk is the coldest major city on Earth.
In winter, temperatures can drop to -50°C to -60°C (-58°F to -76°F). The city is built on permafrost, which means buildings must be specially designed to prevent sinking. Despite the extreme cold, over 300,000 people live in Yakutsk.
The city has museums, theaters, and even a university. People wear thick fur clothing to survive the freezing weather.
Verkhoyansk, Russia
Verkhoyansk is one of the coldest inhabited places on Earth. It holds the record for one of the lowest temperatures ever recorded in a city: -67.8°C (-90°F). It has a small population of around 1,000 people.
The city experiences long, icy winters that last up to nine months. Summers can be warm, with temperatures reaching 30°C (86°F), making it one of the places with the most significant temperature changes in the world.
Oymyakon, Russia
Oymyakon is known as the coldest permanently inhabited place on Earth. It recorded a temperature of -67.7°C (-89.9°F) in 1933.
Winters are brutal, with only a few hours of daylight. The ground is frozen all year, making farming almost impossible. People rely on meat and fish for food, as crops cannot grow in such extreme cold.
Cars must be kept running or stored in heated garages to prevent freezing. Despite the extreme weather, Oymyakon has schools, shops, and even a few hotels for brave visitors.
