Mongolia has constantly been under either Chinese or Russian control, but today it is an independent state with its own constitution. The landscape surrounding the capital has not changed in centuries. Wide-open spaces and a trackless terrain attracts many adventurous travellers.
Mongol Uls
Ulaan Baatar
1.565.000 km2
Khalkha Mongol
Tibetan Buddhism
2.650.952 (2000)
Republic
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.
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.
Lonely Planet Mongolia
Travels in Northern Mongolia
Tögroög (T or MNT)
Internet cafés as such do not yet exist in Mongolia, but there are some places in the shopping centres where you can "rent" a computer that has access to the Internet.
It is becoming more and more common to tip in Mongolia, but as yet there are no special amounts for particular services.
When it is 12:00 in England it is 20:00 in Mongolia.
In Mongolia the following weight and measure schemes are used:
Weight: kilo
Length: metre
Fluids: litre
Taking pictures is prohibited in temples and convents. In certain areas you can pay a fee so you can take pictures.
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.
In Mongolia the following power source is used:
220V, 50Hz
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.
Shops are open from 10:00 to 18:00 (Monday - Sunday).
Office hours are from 9:00 to 18:00 (Monday - Friday).
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.
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.
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
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.
Guesthouses and Bed & Breakfasts can only be found in the capital.
Youth hostels and dormitories can only be found in the capital.
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.
The buses are slow and uncomfortable. The drivers are often drunk, so it is your own risk if you decide to take the bus.
There are trains that run between North and South, and the route is part of the Trans-Mongolian-Railway that connects Russia and China.
Taxis only drive on the streets that are paved - and they (both) are few and far between.
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.
Jeeps are an important form of transport in Mongolia because of the bad roads. It is not recommended that you rent your own jeep.
