Thorn Tree travel forum

Erlian / Erenhot Info Fact Sheet

An Erlian Fact Sheet:
Just spent two days here and very tempted to stay on another...
This is a pleasant but fairly big town. Probably about 50,000 at the very least, and considering the building boom out of town, this will get bigger… Nonetheless, it is definitely worth one or two days, as it is both VERY cheap and easy to navigate.

If arriving from Beijing, especially on the Trans-Mongolian train, be sure to look out of the cabin side windows (the left of the train) at around 2020 (about 12-15 minutes before you enter town). The is a beautiful replica of the fighting dinosaurs in the distance. These were discovered in 2005 and are very unique. A stunning sight at dusk. Unfortuantely, the train form Mongolia comes by around midnight…

PLACES TO STAY:
There are two VERY cheap guesthouses, right opposite the Railway Station. Walk to the right, and they are both opposite the huge Waiting Room building.
10 yuan in a 3 or 4 bed dorm.
20 to 25 Yuan Singles. And its 30 for a double.
They both offer TV and a hot/cold water dispencer in the room. The first one has no running hot water shower, but the second one (next to the International ticketing booth – see below) has steaming hot tap water to mix in a bucket if you like.
A further 50m there is a better hotel with doubles for 80 yuan and triple for 90.
The Hotel directly opposite the Station charges 128 for a double. The Railway Hotel (to the left, as you exit the station) has a huge dorm with beds for 20 Yuan.
There are at least another ten hotels in the nearby area.

THINGS TO DO IN TOWN:
There is a wonderfully pleasant Dinosaur Park at the corner of Konglong Dajie (the second road leading up from the LEFT of the Station) and Qianjin Lu (this is the third major parallel road to station).
There is also a Dinosaur Museum narby, at same Qianjin Lu, pass the petrol station (on your left) and it is in the grey building, on your right. Also known as “Child En Spalace” (Children’s Palace?). The 10 yuan entry is well worth it. Note the short opening hours:
0800-1100 and 1500-1800.

GETTING AROUND:
Most things are within 15 to 20 minutes walk. Taxis charge a flat 3 yuan. There is a bus from the main bus terminal TO the border (about 2km away!) for 2 yuan.
A mini bus (ten people) to Zamiyn Uud charges 50 yuan and leaves when full. They try to charge an extra 10 yuan for the Exit Permit (but this should only cost five!). Jeeps to Zamiyn uud charge around 70 to 80 yuan.

There is a three times a week TRAIN between Erlain and Zamiyn Uud:
Monday No. 681 departs at 1600 arrives at 1625 (Mongolian time, hence total ride is 1.25)
Wednesday No. 683 depart at 1600 arrive at 1625.
Note that the FRIDAY departure No. 685 is at 1800 arriving at 1825.
Costs 66 yuan which includes all taxes and permits (its 41 yuan + 20 + 5).
NOTE that the International ticketing office is opposite the main Waiting Building, and not in the Station. This opens only at 0900am. DO NOT quee up with the hundreds of Chinese between 0800-1000. just go there AFTER TEN and it will be almost empty. There are ten carriges!

The Main Bus station is at the corner of Chahaer Jie. Walk up the main street out of Train Station, and take the second RIGHT (note the CITS on the corner). Turn LEFT at Chahaer Jie, and its on your left. Note the clock tower.

Buses to Beijing depart at 0630am and 1400,1420,1440,1600, 1620,1640. They take about 12 hours and cost 180 yuan.

There is only one departure a day to Datong at 0825am costing 83 yuan.

In both cases you will save a lot of money by taking the train.

INTERNET ACCESS
Costs 2 yuan/hour. One small place opposite the Train Station, another (bigger) one, as you turn out of the BUS station turn left and then right – it is 10m from the corner on your right.

CHANGING MONEY:
None of the small banks between the two stations change any money. There is a Small Bank of China between the Train station and CITS office, on your left (change $, pounds and Euros only!).
The main Bank of China is along Qianjin Lu, opposite the petrol station. They change Travellers Cheques for 0.75% commission.
The ONLY people that change TUGRIKS are the private Mongolian women at the entrance to the Personal Market, along Qianjin Lu and opposite the Dino Park.
I managed to get 156 T for the Yuan after a lot of haggeling…

SHOPPING:
The above Personal Market is a lovely modern Arcade with plenty of camping gear and clothes – many a lot cheaper then in Beijing!
There is a HUGE fruit and veg market along Sunite Jie, which runs parallel with Konglong Dajie (so the first right turning if coming from Dino Park. First LEFT if coming from Dino Museum…).
The is an EXCELLENT SUPERMARKET, with prices indicated and even cheaper than Beijing!. Walk up from the Railway Station to the second corner. Note the CITS office on the corner – the Supermarket is immediately opposite. No sign in English, so you need to look for it!

MONGOLIAN CONSULATE IN ERLAIN
JULY 2007 UPDATE:
The Consulate has now moved to near the main long distance bus station.
Erlian Fandian no longer exists...

From the main RAILWAY station walk straight ahead until the second junction (CITS office on your left).
Turn here RIGHT and walk for another 5 minutes until you cross Chahaer Jie.
The bus station is up this street to the left, but you need to carry on the very same road for another 10 minutes. There are now no more buildings or restaurants, but you will see the Consulate on your LEFT hand side about ten minutes beyond the BUS Station. Keep on walking, you are not lost...

Taxi seem to charge a flat rate of 3 yuan.

Opening hours:
Monday to Friday 0830-1200 only.
Same day processing costs US$55 or Yuan 465, which makes this a VERY expensive option!
The only cheaper option is ONE WEEK processing which costs US$25.

any gay lads in Cardiff or South WALES