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What is generally called Mongolia is technically Outer
Mongolia. Inner Mongolia is a province of China, south
of the separate country. Although many Mongols do live there,
it is under Chinese rule, and not included in this guide.
Cash
The national currency of Mongolia is the Togroog or
Tugrik, which is commonly abbreviated to T or MNT. Exchange
rates are approximately as follows:
$1 = 1100 MNT
£1 = 1600 MNT
1 Euro = 1000 MNT
For up to date currency information, check the Currency
Converter.
If travelling independently, costs are low, under $20 a day
for the budget traveller, but travelling with a tour group
(a popular, and much easier option) can be very costly. Credit
cards are useless outside the capital, so it's best to bring
money in US dollars traveller's cheques, and some cash in
small denominations.
People
For a country that has been invaded so many times by its neighbours,
China and Russia, it is amazing that Mongolia has managed
to keep such a high proportion of ethnic Mongolians, about
85%, with about 2% each of Chinese and Russians, and at least
ten other minor ethnic groups. The whole population of Mongolia
is only 2.6 million, with a quarter of those living in the
capital, Ulaan Baatar, giving it a very low population
density - a fact that is immediately obvious on any journey
through the countryside!
Travel
There are four transport options in Mongolia; bus, train,
plane or jeep, but unfortunately all have their hitches. Buses
are the most popular budget transport option, but the quality
of service is a far cry from that of western countries. Buses
are old, slow and unreliable, and can be dangerous. The drivers
are little better, and often drunk, making breakdown of either
driver or vehicle quite frequent as well as accidents. Routes
are also limited, all starting and finishing in the capital,
with none venturing into the Western part of the country.
You can pay a bit more and travel on the minibuses
that make the journeys between more popular spots. You could
also try the more expensive, far quicker train, but be aware
that there is only one line through Mongolia, and that's part
of the Trans-Mongolian Railway, which only runs about
once a week!
If you're willing to fork out a bit more, you can always fly
from point to point, but this is expensive, and booking can
be a real headache. The best way to get around is by jeep,
which can be hired with a driver from most major towns, but
you may have to haggle for a decent price, and even then,
costs are best shared between a small group of you.
Food
Mongolian food is basic, and not particularly popular with
western palates. Horsemeat, boiled mutton, and other (usually
very fatty) meat dishes are popular, as are rice, and various
dairy products based on yak's milk. Tea is the
most popular drink, though you are unlikely to find it in
the form most recognisable to Westerners, a more salty variety
being the most popular. For those wishing to have a tipple,
vodka (arkhi) is common, strong, and could be used
to strip paint in many cases, but at least it's cheap, while
the local speciality is airag, fermented horse's milk!
Tap water should be avoided as Cholera and Giardia are prevalent
here. Drink only bottled water, and make sure food is hot
and fresh. Also, beware of milk, which is often untreated
and can cause a very upset stomach.
Language
Mongolia's official language is Mongolian, and is used
by Mongols both in Mongolia proper, and in Inner Mongolia,
within the borders of China. It is a member of the Ural-Altaic
group of languages, which also includes Kazak, Uzbek, Turkish,
Korean and Finnish. The Cyrillic alphabet was adopted in the
1940's, and is still in use, though there have been some calls
for the restoration of the original script.
Climate
Temperatures drop very low in Mongolia in the winter, so if
you're planning to come then be prepared for temperatures
as low as - 25F. The main tourist season (if Mongolia can
really be said to have one) is from May to October; though
bear in mind that as well as being the warmest, July and August
are also the wettest months of the year. Early July can be
very pleasant and is a popular time for visit for the national
Nadaam festival. If you're planning to visit the Gobi
Desert it is best to come in June or September, when temperatures
are not at either extreme.
Dress
Seasonal temperatures reach great extremes, going from -25F
in Winter to +105F in the summer, though evenings can be cool
due to the high altitude, so bring clothes appropriate for
the season with this in mind. An umbrella or waterproofs are
also recommended for the rainy season (July and August), and
a windproof jacket in spring, when strong winds are frequent.
Even in the summer, women will probably find it best to keep
shoulders and knees covered, and avoid more transparent clothing,
as this will ease their acceptance by locals. A money belt
that can be worn under the clothes is also a useful item to
have as in busy areas, such as markets, where pick pocketing
is becoming more common.
Health
There are a number of serious health risks in Mongolia which
travellers should be aware of. Avoid stray animals as there
are both rabies and the plague in the animal
populations of Mongolia, though neither should be a serious
threat. Travellers to more remote areas should consider having
the rabies injections before departure, and all travellers
should have Hepatitis A and B vaccinations, and check
with their doctor whether Meningitis is necessary at
the time of travel. Health insurance is essential, preferably
that which covers evacuation, as medical treatment in Mongolia
is very basic. Carrying your own sterile medical kit is also
advisable.
Visas
All visitors to Mongolia require entry and exit visas, or
a transit visa if you're travelling through on the Trans-Mongolian
railway. Application processes have changed over the last
few years and it is no longer possible to obtain visas at
the airport on arrival, they should be applied for in advance
of travel, average cost is $15-25 US. They can be obtained
in a hurry, or bought at border crossings, but you will pay
about twice as much for the privilege. In the past, applications
have needed to be accompanied by an invitation or sponsorship
from a national company, resident or Tour Company, making
entry difficult for the independent traveller (and often expensive),
but fortunately this too has changed, and application is simply
by application form and payment to the embassy. Despite the
now simpler process, many people still prefer to travel with
tour companies. Ones worth a try include Monkey
Business for Trans-Siberian Packages including Mongolia.
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