I am planning on taking a trip to Mongolia in the summer. Yet a traveler I know just returned and said he had problems with young men getting drunk and looking to fight with tourists. He's a pretty mild-mannered guy so I don't see him starting trouble.
I was wondering if any recent travelers there have heard or experienced an uptick in violent crime or in any particular areas.
Thanks
I hope you will not have such an experience in Mongolia. I have not heard about fighting Mongolian guys vs tourists. I know there are some pick-pocketing kids in UB. It is extremely safe in the countryside of Mongolia.
Enjoy Mongolia!
Hi Canchero
You asked: violent crime or in any particular areas
The Mongolian countryside is extremely safe.
In Ulan Bator
Violent crime against tourists is rare. In the few cases where violent was reported it turned out to be around bars when both parties were drunk.
Pick Pocketing is unfortunately an issue for tourists in Ulaanbaatar.
It is easy to avoid if you understand how they work, and how they choose their targets.
Don't be the one they choose, that is all the protection you will ever need.
See Pick Pocket Protection for full details of how they work, a map with the exact locations in Ulaanbaatar, and how to avoid them.
Have a safe trip
Dan
I lived in Mongolia a few years back...
The countryside is very safe I would say, I lived in the countryside(Soum-Village) and everyone knows everyone, and if there is an issue, everyone knows where to look.
In UB I did experience abit of trouble with two drunk men trying to get me to part some currency their way, I was polite/insistent, No and they went on their way. Some of the hostels will post very ominous warnings "Don't go out after 9!!!!" I do think its abit overblown, I would however stay far from the Ger suburbs/slums located outside the Apartment block areas.
be away from any drunk man, it does not matter you are in countryside or in city or in town center.
if you do not want to have problems with driver then be away from hiring driver / car from market or bus stations... hiring car from travel agencies / tour operators are always safer.
Generally Mongolia is much safer than many other countries.
Edited by: bayanulgii
Although I agree that Mongolia is safer than other countries there have been some reported incidents of violent bag snatchings - both against Mongolians and ex-pats, none of whom I know were drunk. There is a lot of pick pocketing and there can be violence from Mongolians against ex-pats, particularly white men who might have been talking to/flirting with Mongolian women. There is quite a strong nazi contingent around and it can be dangerous - so do be careful if you are male about appearing too friendly to Mongolian women.
Mongolia is not safe. I just got back. Nothing happened to me, but I met people who were assaulted and robbed, other people who had their horses stolen, and I heard harrowing experiences from people who hired Mongolian guides near Khatgal who became drunk and violent. As for UB, people talk as if it is normal that a city gets dangerous after dark. To some extent this is true. But every city I have been in has at least one area that at midnight people are safe to be out and enjoying the evening. Not so with UB. Once it is dark, the entire city is dangerous. That should reveal something to the reader.
