Mongolia: Sights

Amarbayasgalant Khiid
Transport car: charter a jeep from Darkhan Keyword religious/spiritual, architectural highlight Amarbayasgalant Khiid is considered one of the most important monasteries in Mongolia. It’s also one of the most beautiful. It was originally built in 1737 by the Manchurian emperor Kansu, who dedicated it to the great Mongolian Buddhist and sculptor, Zanabazar. The communists found their way here in the 1930s and destroyed 10 of the 37 temples and statues.

These days the temples are normally closed, but you can ask the head monk to open them and you’re welcome to watch the 30 resident monks conduct their daily ceremonies.

Shiliin Bogd
Transport car Keyword views, mountain, volcano At 1778m (5830ft), Shiliin Bogd is the highest peak in Sükhbaatar aimag region in Mongolia’s east. The extinct volcano is sacred to many Mongolians and is set in a stunning and isolated area. A jeep can get you about halfway up the mountain, and then it’s a short but blustery walk to the top for awesome views of craters across the nearby border to China.

Tavanbogd National Park
Transport car Keyword archaeological site, national park, lake This stunningly beautiful park includes the three lakes of Khoton Nuur, Khurgan Nuur and Dayan Nuur. It’s a remote place, divided from China by the high wall of snow-capped peaks, and is known to local Kazakhs as the Syrgali region. It’s possible to make rafting trips downriver from Dayan Nuur, and there are many archaeological sites in the area.

Mongolia: Money & Costs
If you’re travelling on an organised tour you’ll probably spend about US$100 a day. You can travel independently, see the same sights and stay in the same places for about US$80 a day – a lot less if you share the cost of a private jeep and camp rather than stay in pricier gers (tents). Accommodation and food will cost at least US$10 a day in Ulaan Baatar, but you’re better off budgeting closer to double that. In the countryside, allow about US$15 per day if you’re using public transport and staying in hotels; if you take a tent and camp, you’ll spend closer to US$8 per day.

Bring US dollar travellers’ cheques and have some US dollars in cash. Credit cards are handy at some hotels and at airline offices in Ulaanbaatar, but you won’t be able to buy anything on credit outside the capital. It’s difficult to cash US dollars dated before 1996. ATMs are all over Ulaanbaatar and popping up in some provincial capitals.

There’s supposedly a mandatory 10% ‘government’ tax levied in Ulaan Baatar’s posher restaurants and hotels, but most places either don’t bother adding it onto the bill or haven’t heard of the tax. Tipping is appreciated in upmarket restaurants. Bargaining is catching on in the public markets, but be prepared to pay more than Mongolians.

Currency
Name Tugrik
Symbol Tug Average Room Prices
Low Mid High
US$40 and less US$40-60 US$60+
Average Meal Prices
Low Mid High
US$1-5 US$5-15 US$15+

Mongolia: Getting there & around
Getting There
Most people fly into Ulaanbaatar from Beijing, Berlin or Moscow.