Worthwhile stops between Erlian border and UB

With a week there are lots of potential places to go but no place that comes to mind that is directly between Beijing and Erlian.

Where else will you be going in China before then?

In addition to the direct train from Beijing to UB, there is also a direct train from Hohhot to UB twice a week. Have you considered a few days in Inner Mongolia?

Ruth

Hey Ruth,

Thanks for your reply. I'll be visiting most the usual destinations in China with my sister, but we haven't decided yet whether Outer Mongolia will fit into that timetable or not. As such your suggestion of traveling to UB via Hohhot is a useful one which I will definitely consider :) (My last two weeks in China and my time in Mongolia are by myself.)

Cheers :)

Hi?

You are are able to get off the train on way to Ulanbator. September is the best time travelling in Mongolian gobi desert. It is not too hot and you can experience fossills, camel herder, camel riding etc. But 1 week is too long to be near Sainshand, Or you can arrange a tour from Gobi to Ulanbator even. There are many options for the stop over in gobi desert.

OP - look for some threads by manulike from the summer of 2007. He described going overland from the border to UB and the stops he made along the way.

Ruth

Sainshand is OK (dinosaur bones, monastery in the desert etc) but think you would be better placed adding the week to your time in UB - you could go to Terkhin Tsagaan Nuur, Bayangobi etc.

Where are you going on your horse trek?

Hey, sorry for my slow response. Thanks for all the feedback and ideas - I have some good options now :) My horse trek is in Zavkhan :)

In that case, I do recommend going up to UB and doing a trip from there - Bayangobi area would be good.

PS. In case this isn't that helpful - tours that visit Khongor Els/sand dunes cover this area, usually in conjunction with Karakorum - will provide you a quite different view from Zavkhan.

Awesome, thanks Madcat!