Mongolia in April. Too cold? And How often do trains run Beijing -UB?

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cyprus33
cyprus33

I'm thinking about going to Mongolia in two weeks from Beijing but I'm a little worried about the weather. I checked the averages and it looked like highs were high 40s low 50s Fahrenheit, but right now the weather looks way too cold. Will it simply be too cold to be enjoyable? I was thinking maybe going to the Gobi desert and Huvsgol lake.

Also, how often does the overnight train from Beijing to UB run and what's the best way to get a ticket. Is it booked out way in advance normally? I'm currently in Shanghai.

Thanks,
Eric

Edited by: Cyprus33

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everbrite
everbrite

Define cold. I suspect that it depends on your experience. Someone from central Europe, Canada or Northern US will not find the freezing temepratures at night in Mongolia cold but if you have never lived in a climate with freezing temperatures, then you might be unhappy.

It also will depend upon how you dress and what you intend doing.

There is one train that originates in Beijing and terminates in UB per week until June. There are two trains that originate in Hohhot in Inner Mongolia and there is one train that originates in Beijing and stops in UB and continues to Moscow.

The schedule is on the Man in Seat 61 website www.seat61.com

Tickets must be purchased through CITS.net or a travel agency. You cannot purchase these tickets on your own at the train station.

Another option is to take the train to the border, Erlian cross the border and take the train from Dzamin Uud to UB. Try looking for some posts by manulike who made the trip last summer and wrote about both border towns.

Ruth

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cyx
cyx

About train from Beijing to Ulaanbaatar. Trains running from Beijing every Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 and will arrive next day at 13:20 in Ulaanbaatar. About to buy ticket am not sure as for me i'll go to station buy a ticket. (price is 85'000(about 73$) tugrug in Ulaanbaatar, in Beijing price will be bit expensive(yes it is one way ticket))

So in two week time around Hovsgol Lake would be cold and lots lots of snow. Depending on how you are planed your trip to Hovsgol Lake how reserved your Jeep with driver and Translator or Are going there by airplane. Gobi would be very windy and dusty am not sure about snow but am sure there is less snow than Hovsgol Lake. Anyway there are still lots to see around totally different experience.

Welcome to Mongolia. Enjoy
Windproof jacket will be your best mate.

Edited by: CYX

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cyprus33
cyprus33

Thanks for your helpful replies. Considering the weather do you think there will there be very few tourists at this time? I'm backpacking on my own so I'd like to be able to meet some other travelers.

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firearm
firearm

Khovsgol area will be cold in April. Spring in Mongolia is depressing.

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