When visiting Mongolia it is easy to feel like you are travelling several centuries back in time - as soon as you leave the towns the landscape is utterly natural. You can easily visualise Ghengis Khan's camels wandering through the Gobi Desert. And out in the wide-open spaces you can still see galloping wild horses with the wind streaming through their manes. Mongolia is a difficult country to travel in, but this is one reason why it is the last remaining authentic destination for adventurers in Asia.
Find your travel arrangement to Mongolia here
Region and City Guides
Region:
Facts
Local name
Mongol Uls
Capital
Ulaan Baatar
Size
1.565.000 km2
Principal Languages
Khalkha Mongol
Principal Religion
Tibetan Buddhism
Inhabitants
2.650.952 (2000)
Government
Republic
Geography
Mongolia borders on Russia in the north and China in the south. The country is divided into four areas that consist of mountain forest, steppe, mountain steppe, half-desert and desert. Most of the country is highland, but the actual mountains are in the western region of the country.
Travel preparation
Best time to visit
The best period to visit Mongolia is between May and the beginning of October. In the northern part of the country July is the best month to travel in, and it is also during this month that the Naadam Festival is held.
Literature
Lonely Planet Mongolia
Travels in Northern Mongolia
Travels in Northern Mongolia
Local conditions
Weight and Measures
In Mongolia the following weight and measure schemes are used:
Weight: kilo
Length: metre
Fluids: litre
Weight: kilo
Length: metre
Fluids: litre
Photography
Taking pictures is prohibited in temples and convents. In certain areas you can pay a fee so you can take pictures.
Drinking water
All tap water should be considered hazardous to your health. The water you use to drink, brush your teeth with, or make ice cubes out of should be boiled first.
Electricity
In Mongolia the following power source is used:
220V, 50Hz
220V, 50Hz
Behaviour
It is expected that you act decently in temples and convents and that you show respect for the locals.
Otherwise common courtesy will get you far in Mongolia.
Otherwise common courtesy will get you far in Mongolia.
Business Hours
Shops are open from 10:00 to 18:00 (Monday - Sunday).
Office hours are from 9:00 to 18:00 (Monday - Friday).
Office hours are from 9:00 to 18:00 (Monday - Friday).
Food and drink
Flesh is the main ingredient of the Mongolian kitchen, and it is mostly beef or lamb that is served. One Mongolian speciality is Boodog; a whole goat is killed and baked from the inside and the bones and sinew are pulled out through the throat. Mongolian vodka is pretty potent and the local beer is good, though it is rather expensive.
Disabled travellers
If you are in a wheelchair then it is very difficult to get around in Mongolia. Most of the roads are not paved, and the hotels and attractions do not have any special facilities for the disabled.
Holidays
New Years Day, January 1st
International Woman's Day, March 8th
Children's Day, June 1st
Independence Day, July 11th-13th
The Proclamation of Mongolia, November 26th
Alternating Holidays
The first three days of the fist month of spring are holidays.
Lunar New Year, January or February
International Woman's Day, March 8th
Children's Day, June 1st
Independence Day, July 11th-13th
The Proclamation of Mongolia, November 26th
Alternating Holidays
The first three days of the fist month of spring are holidays.
Lunar New Year, January or February
Accommodation / Hotel
If you want to be able to choose from a broad spectrum of accommodation, then you should not leave the capital. There you will have most choice - hotels or dormitories. When travelling around other parts of the country it is much more difficult to find a Hotel, and usually it is of a much poorer quality than those you will find in the capital.
Book your Hotel in Mongolia here
Book your Hotel in Mongolia here
Camping
There are very good camping conditions at the more than 75 camping grounds that are spread out across the country. The have both bathing and toilet facilities.
Most hotels are in the capital, and the quality is quite different between those in the city and those in the country.
Bed og breakfast or guesthouse
Guesthouses and Bed & Breakfasts can only be found in the capital.
Hostels
Youth hostels and dormitories can only be found in the capital.
Local transport
Due to large distances much domestic travelling is done by air. There are over 80 paved runways, and most parts of the country can be reached by plane. It is not recommended that you travel by bus, because there are often accidents caused by bad weather and intoxicated bus drivers.
Planes
There are over 80 airports in Mongolia with paved runways. The flight schedule is regularly changed, and it is not possible to go to all provinces and towns by air.
Bus
The buses are slow and uncomfortable. The drivers are often drunk, so it is your own risk if you decide to take the bus.
Trains
There are trains that run between North and South, and the route is part of the Trans-Mongolian-Railway that connects Russia and China.
Taxi
Taxis only drive on the streets that are paved - and they (both) are few and far between.
car rental
It is not a good idea to rent a car in Mongolia, because the roads are in poor condition and it is difficult to find petrol.
Other Transport
Jeeps are an important form of transport in Mongolia because of the bad roads. It is not recommended that you rent your own jeep.
