408
edits
Changes
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
There are just a couple hundred km of paved road from [[Ulan Bator|Ulaanbaatar]] in every geographical directions (exactly one per direction) and that's it. No roads, no signs. The trunk roads out of Ulaanbaatar are paved and reasonably trafficked. Be careful if you walk out of the cities, along the ''roads'' so you don't get lost, and take water with you. Confusingly, names of cities equal names of states, so make sure city and state match.
== Mongolia in summer ==
=== Roads ===
Mongolia... the land of dusty, unpaved, unmaintained, "roads", in absolutely the worst shape, that this hitchhiker has ever seen (though I've only been to North America, Europe, Russia, and Northern Asia). Also, or maybe because of that, there is next to no traffic on the major thoroughfare across the southern part of the country. People are mostly, quite willing to pick you up, but there just aren't that many people. Walking sometimes staves off the boredom of just sitting and waiting.
The road to Ulaanbaatar after the Chinese border is to the left of the first fork in the road. GPS apps like MapsMe get this wrong, you should not be going through Zamiid-Uud to get there.
=== Sleeping ===
[[Camping]] is great in Mongolia. It's legal to camp anywhere. You can filter water from springs and lakes, or ask any of the locals for some of their boiled water. It's a good idea to stock up on fruit, vegetables and any essentials in Ulaanbaatar.
The train stations at Sukhbaatar and Darkhan stay open throughout the night. If you're stuck in those cities without a place to sleep in the winter they both have heated seating areas. The main station in Ulaanbaatar however closes after the last train leaves (not sure exactly when but surely before midnight) and does not reopen until 5AM.
== Mongolia in winter ==
Expect also flat tires and very occasional overheating. The distances covered are considerably higher since vehicles don't get stuck in mud, the frozen ground provides a good riding platform. It is common to hitch 1000 kilometer rides, especially if you are going to the capital.
=== To where to hitch ===
In Mongolia, half of the population lives in Ulaanbataar and the other half has a very good reason to go to Ulaanbataar. Therefore, it is common to find direct rides to Ulaanbataar from all parts of the country. From Ulaanbataar to elsewhere however you will have to put up with village to village hitchhing.
=== Transport ===
Jeeps are the preferred, comfortable and only transport means that is adapted to the Mongolian terrain. However the Mongolian drivers are skilled and can drive pretty much anything through pretty much any terrain. Do not ignore that small car that wouldn't dare to take a dirt road, would it have been in Europe. The Mongolian will successfully take it through the worst of mountain passes.
The speed you can expect is 60 km/h, this is a good average. Jeeps should be able to hold that average but also some classic cars.
The main highway from the Chinese border to Ulaanbaatar is a rather modern, two lane road. Driving with a guy in a Toyota Prius we completed it in around 7 hours during a snow storm in November 2015.
=== How to hitch ===
Source and detailed information for this section: [http://takemeeastThere is next to no traffic on the major thoroughfare across the southern part of the country.blogspotPeople are mostly, quite willing to pick you up, but there just aren't that many people.com/2014/01/Walking sometimes staves off the-failed-ride.html here] boredom of just sitting and [http://takemeeast.blogspot.com/2013/12/mongolian-countrysidewaiting.html here]
=== Sleeping ===The road to Ulaanbaatar after the Chinese border is to the left of the first fork in the road. GPS apps like MapsMe get this wrong, you should not be going through Zamiid-Uud to get there.
Do not worry about sleeping in Mongolia in winterSource and detailed information for this section: [http://takemeeast.blogspot. Just knock on com/2014/01/the door of any yurt, you will be invited in, it is automatic-failed-ride. Nobody will think about asking you for money. Everybody understands that it is just too cold to sleep outside. Usually they will also introduce to their friends who will also invite you, you will quickly have a network of acquaintances html here] and sleeping places so big that all your stay in Mongolia will be covered for free [http://takemeeast.blogspot.com/2013/12/degrees-ofmongolian-separationcountryside.html sourcehere]. You can go to a hostel sometime if you need some privacy.
Source and detailed information for this paragraph: [http://takemeeast.blogspot.com/2014/01/mongoli.html here] and [http://takemeeastThe main highway from the Chinese border to Ulaanbaatar is a rather modern, two lane road.blogspot.com/2014/01/the-failed-rideDriving with a guy in a Toyota Prius we completed it in around 7 hours during a snow storm in November 2015.html here]
== Border Crossing ==
=== From Ulaanbataar to [[China]] ===
The main border crossing with China is in the South-East at Zamyn Uud. Hitchhiking there from Ulaan Baatar is not difficult, as of 2013 the paved road is basically completed. However, do not expect a direct ride from UB to the border, you will probably stop at every major city. Expect 2 days to get to your destination. It follows the Transmongolian Railway and gives you the security not to die of thirst. [[User:Worldhitch|Worldhitch]] also got a lift by the great Defektoskop train.
=== From the border to the capital ===
Hitching from Zamyn Uud to Ulaanbaatar is very easy. The capital is always easier to hitchhike than any other city and this section is completly paved and has a lot of traffic in all times of year; mongolians love to do their shopping in china. Expect a one day ride.
=== Russian Border at Kyakhta/Altanbulag ===
This is probably the easiest border crossing in Mongolia as there is a paved road all the way to Ulaanbaatar. Decline all taxis and walk for a few minutes after you cross the border and start hitching. It is not always obvious someone is running a taxi. Double-check before you get in. If you do end up getting into a taxi, expect a hefty fee to be charged (such as US$150) when arriving at your destination. Should you get into this problem, then be sure to take it up with the police. They seem to be cracking down on illegal taxis. Don't expect that this will mean you can avoid paying at least something, though.
It's impossible to cross the border by foot. You'll have to get into one of the paid taxis. I waited about 20 minutes showing my sign that I'm unable to pay to both the guards and the cars parked there and eventually one of them took me with him for free.
=== Russian Border at Erentsav ===
This Northeastern border is a terrible idea unless you have a good reason to go there. Hitchhiking from Ulaanbaatar to Khenti is pretty straightforward but things get tricky after that as there is no paved road. If you are lucky enough to find a ride to Choibalsan, you won't be so lucky when you try to hitch to Erentsav. There is almost no traffic and you are likely to take the train which leaves twice a week (on Mondays and Thursdays from Choibalsan to Erentsav).
=== Crossing the border ===
'''Crossing the border''' itself can be quite tricky as you need to have transportation to cross three separate checkpoints. Usually the soldiers will help you to find a ride if you first just try to walk -- but that won't be a guarantee that the ride will be for free. Keep trying until you get a ride (or too frustrated, with the Chinese border terminal looming in the distance, guards not allowing you to simply cover the 500 meters by foot).
Keep your morals up and be very persistent. Explain that your visa will expire if they don't take you. They will insist that it's impossible, they will try to get your money by every means but keep your head up until they realize that the energy put into convincing you to pay is greater than the energy they would put into convincing the taxis to take you for free.
November 2015 I walked straight to the guards on the Chinese side with my passport in hand as if I was going to cross the border on foot. When I was stopped I showed a piece of paper saying something along the lines of "Can I get a ride for free?"'. The soldier wrote me "I will help you through a translator". A higher commanding officer was brought over and I was in a jeep for free in about 5 minutes.
Source and detailed information for this paragraph: [http://takemeeast.blogspot.com/2013/12/the-way-to-mongolia.html here]
This border is very strange. Only some special type of cars are allowed to cross. Only chinese cars and old soviet jeeps. That is why mongolian people usually leave their car on one side of the border and take a taxi even if they have their own vehicle (!).
The border processing is also somewhat complicated. Here is the detailed description from Mongolia to China:
1) You take a taxi from before the border to the mongolian checkpoint. The price is about 10 yuan but you can avoid it (described above)
2) You buy some kind of border pass for 1000 MNT which allows you to get to the mongolian passport check
3) You get a stamp, you take the jeep again, you show your stamp to the guards you pass by (they don't stop the car, they check your stamp while driving in order to not lose time)
4) You arrive at the chinese checkpoint, you buy another border pass for 5 yuan
5) You drive from the checkpoint to Erlian, you show your stamp to the guards you pass by.
6) That's it, you are in China
The other way (Mongolia -> China) is similar
__NOTOC__
no edit summary
|avp = mongolia
}}
'''Mongolia''' in [[Asia]] is good for hitchhiking in terms of the rate of people stopping for you; it is bad in terms of the actual number of drivers (some roads are very isolated) and road conditions. Like in Iran, there is a culture of using private cars like taxis (especially in the capital, Ulaanbaatar), so most drivers will expect to be paid at first. Before entering the car make it clear that you have no money, unless you don't mind shelling out a few bucks for every ride. Some will just turn forward and continue driving, leaving you in the dust, but most will say or gesture not to worry about it and tell you to get in anyway. Also expect a jam-packed car, packed with amazingly friendly people, food and house invitations!
In Mongolia is good for hitchhiking in terms , half of the rate of people stopping for you; it is bad population lives in terms of Ulaanbataar and the actual number of drivers (some roads are other half has a very isolated) and road conditionsgood reason to go to Ulaanbataar. Like in IranTherefore, there it is a culture common to find direct rides to Ulaanbataar from all parts of using private cars like taxis (especially in the capital, Ulaanbaatar), so most drivers will expect country. From Ulaanbataar to be paid at first. Before entering the car make it clear that elsewhere however you will have no money, unless you don't mind shelling out a few bucks for every ride. Some will just turn forward and continue driving, leaving you in the dust, but most will say or gesture not to worry about it and tell you put up with village to get in anywayvillage hitchhing. Also expect a jam == Cities ==* [[Ulan Bator|Ulaanbaatar]] (capital)* [[Erdenet]]* [[Bayan-packed car, packed with amazingly friendly people, food and house invitations!Ölgii]]
== Climate ==
Due to the extreme weather differences between summer and winter, hitchhiking in Mongolia seems to be a completely different experience depending on the season. Instead of talking about hitchhiking in Mongolia, it would make more sense to talk about hitchhiking in Mongolia in the summer or in winter as if it were two different countries.
=== Summer ===
=== Winter ===
Expect also flat tires and very occasional overheating. The distances covered are considerably higher since vehicles don't get stuck in mud, the frozen ground provides a good riding platform. It is common to hitch 1000 kilometer rides, especially if you are going to the capital.
=== General experience =Hitchability ==
Due to the economic situation in the country, everyone with a car in Mongolia is a taxi driver. '''Always ask if the ride is free before getting in!''' I assumed one of my rides was free and had a rather large Mongolian woman tugging on my left arm refusing to let me go at a toll booth when I got out.
Hitching trains: I was able to hitch a train from Darkhan to Sukhbaatar (about 20km from the Russian border) in November 2015.
Talking to people trying to fill up their cars works but Mongolians will have trouble understanding that you want to go for free. However, they usually accept you in the end. Not as common as in Iran but even the taxis may take you without charging. In some cases though, your success might depend on whether somebody is willing to pay for your ride. This is likely to succeed in villages for short distances (<200 km). The price for that sort of ride can be 10,000 or 20,000 MNT (Jan 2014).
Source and detailed information for this paragraph: [http://takemeeast.blogspot.com/2013/12/the-way-to-mongolia.html here]
=== Transport ===
Jeeps are the preferred, comfortable and only transport means that is adapted to the Mongolian terrain. However the Mongolian drivers are skilled and can drive pretty much anything through pretty much any terrain. Do not ignore that small car that wouldn't dare to take a dirt road, would it have been in Europe. The Mongolian will successfully take it through the worst of mountain passes.
The speed you can expect is 60 km/h, this is a good average. Jeeps should be able to hold that average but also some classic cars.
=== Roads ===
There are many paved roads in Mongolia. When there are no paved roads, there are also very good dirt roads. You should not be worried about road quality if you are going from UB to Teserleg (North-West), Bayankhongor (South-West) and Zamiin-Uud (South). Further west, the quality of road varies from "OK" to "just disastrous or inexistant". Sometimes you just drive through snow tracks. However vehicles do not get stuck in snow that often. Expect a flat tire every 400 kilometers, even on paved roads.
There are many just a couple hundred km of paved roads road from [[Ulan Bator|Ulaanbaatar]] in Mongoliaevery geographical directions (exactly one per direction) and that's it. When there are No roads, no paved signs. The trunk roads, there out of Ulaanbaatar are also very good dirt roadspaved and reasonably trafficked. You should not be worried about road quality Be careful if you are going from UB to Teserleg (North-West)walk out of the cities, along the ''roads'' so you don't get lost, Bayankhongor (South-West) and Zamiin-Uud (South)take water with you. Further westConfusingly, the quality names of cities equal names of road varies from "OK" to "just disastrous or inexistant". Sometimes you just drive through snow tracks. However vehicles do not get stuck in snow that often. Expect a flat tire every 400 kilometersstates, even on paved roadsso make sure city and state match.
=== Alcohol ===
Nothing to be alarmed from this side. Mongolians drink occasionally; however they are peaceful drinkers at least compared to their neighbors. It is difficult to refuse a drink though as most Mongolians will insist and think you are being rude or wussy if you don't accept.
== Language ==
Most Mongolians, in the south, don't speak English, and only have the slightest understanding of Russian, but you can get along with hand gestures and correct pronunciation of the name of the place you are trying to get to (if you know how to pronounce it correctly).
However not so few Mongolians speak either English, German or Russian so if you know those languages you should find common speakers quite often.
== Cities Resources==* [[Ulan Bator|Ulaanbaatar]] (capital)* [[Erdenet]]* [[Bayan-Ölgii]]{{nomadwiki}}
{{IsIn|Eastern Asia}}
[[Category:Mongolia| ]]
[[de:Mongolei]]
[[fr:Mongolie]]
