Mongolia - visiting from China

are there practical alternatives other than flying from Beijing to Ulaanbataar?
say if you're travelling in Shanxi/Shaanxi, or Qinghai/Gansu.

anyone have experience applying for Mongolian visas in China? or better to do it in your own country? (I'm Australian)

Edited by: huaqiao08

Hi,

The only land border crossing from China for non Mongolian's is the Erlian border crossing, where the train crosses.
Fly or take the trans Mongolian train from Beijing to Ulaanbaatar.
You can take a train or bus to the border at Erlian, cross by cab and take a Mongolian local train or van
No other options.

Visa - better apply in Australia, less hustle.
You can apply in Beijing.
Mongolia has a new embassy in Canberra, they used to have only a Consulate in Sydney, but they had plans on moving it.
Make sure you use your visa within 90 days of applying.

Links:
Mongolian Embassy in Australia
Mongolian Embassies world wide and visa information
Map of train routes to Mongolia
All flight options into Mongolia

Have a nice trip
Dan

There are direct trains from Beijing to Mongolia and from Hohhot to Mongolia. During the summer they are twice a week in both directions.

I doubt that you will find too many international flights either but take a look at the website of Legend tour as they have some train and plane information.

If you apply for the visa in Australia it will be easier. It is possible to obtain in Beijing or Erlian but you will be asked to present some proof of accommodations or tour reservations.

Ruth

flying is only from Beijng to Ulaanbaatar and Miat ( Mongolian airline) and CA ( Air China ) are available.
The price of the ticket price is from 400RMB ....
But by a train, it costs from 1200RMB for one way.

In case of the Mongolian visa, you can get it from Beijing and if you need some help to get a letter of invitation or what,
You can contact Some of guesthouses in Ulaanbaatar, you can get it free of charge.

more information also about mongolia on http://www.terramongolia.com

have nice trip

I just wrote about the details of getting to Ulaanbataar from Beijing for quick and cheap (but not as fast as a direct flight). Overall, it's 30 hrs and about $70 USD, and is basically a cheap flight to Erlian, getting across the border in a jeep, and then catching the train on the other side of the border from Zamyn-Uud to Ulaanbataar. If this sounds like it can help, the details are here (with a few pictures): A cheap, quick, and (kind of) easy way to get to Ulaanbataar (Mongolia) from Beijing