Ulan Bator provides cold comfort in winter

Clad in a fox fur hat and dog hair boots, Mongolian merchant Undrakhiin Batulzii says his compatriots have for centuries mastered the art of beating the brutal winters of the steppes.

Ulan Bator is regarded as the world's coldest capital and can see winter lows of-40 C, tough even for the hardy descendants of Genghis Khan.

For a newcomer, the temperatures can be achingly uncomfortable. Exposed ears and hands quickly begin to hurt, while standing on cold concrete soon overcomes feet not protected by insulated footwear.