Climate of Mongolia
Probably the first thing you were told about Mongolia was that it is very cold. This is true but rather than try to anticipate the various weather patterns of the country, it is better to prepare for the worst-case scenario, which is -40 degrees Celsius (-40º C) with a wind chill factor of -55 degrees Celsius.
Spring is sunny and extremely windy, and dust storms are common. The temperature ranges from 10 to 20 degrees Celsius (50º to 68º F), but the wind makes it seem colder. Summer is sunny and breezy, with an average temperature in the low 20s (70s F), though it can get as hot as 30 degrees (86º F) on a regular basis. Readmore…
Essential Telephone Numbers
If you are in emergency, try to find a Mongolian who speaks English (or your native language) because almost all of the people you will need to speak to understand only Mongolian. It can be useful to carry the contact details of your embassy with you. (See contact details of foreign embassies in Mongolia )
Emergency numbers in Ulaanbaatar are as follows:
Fire Station 101
Police 102
Traffic Police 321008
Ambulance 103 Readmore…
Postal Services
Letters and parcels posted abroad can take anything from ten days to a few months to arrive at their destination, but they do usually arrive. The current rates are relatively expensive; postcards MNT 400, letters under 20 grams MNT 550. Registered mail starts at MNT 950. Parcel rates range from around $14 to $27, for 1 kg parcel, depending on the destination.
An express mail service is available for a limited number of countries. Prices to send 1 kg package range from $25 to $40 depending on a destination. The Central Post Office in Ulaanbaatar has a good range of postcards available. Stamp collectors will be surprised at the range of stamps available. Couriers such as DHL (tel:310919) and TNT (tel:313389) will deliver and pick up door-to-door. DHL has its main office just off Peace Ave 15-A, near the Edelweiss Hotel. TNT packages can be sent through the post office.Postal Rates are often relatively expensive, especially for parcels, for which there is only an ‘air mail’ rate - yet they often arrive months later (probably by sea). Normal-sized letters cost T550 and postcards cost T400 to all countries.
Average temperature by seasons and aimags
Aside by having four seasons Mongolia has an extreme continental climate, meaning that it is so far in land that no sea moderates its climate. With over 260 sunny days a year, Mongolia is justifiably known as the “Land of Blue Sky”. Mongolia is high, cold, and dry. It has an extreme continental climate with long, cold winters and short summers, during which most precipitation falls. The country averages 257 cloudless days a year, and it is usually at the center of a region of high atmospheric pressure. Precipitation is highest in the north, which averages 20 to 35 centimeters per year, and lowest in the south, which receives 10 to 20 centimeters. Readmore…
American Express is now valid in Mongolia.
Golomt Bank, is chosen as exclusive merchant acquirer of American Express in Mongolia. From now on, Golomt bank will be responsible for managing merchant relationship such acquisition through the statements and marketing activities. The cardmembers will have access to Golomt bank’s merchant ATM network.
Golomt is one of the leaders of the banking sector in Mongolia. It has branches and ATM across Ulaanbaatar and has branches in provinces Huvsgul, Orhon, Darhan-uul, Dornod, Dornogovi and Umnugovi.
Domestic Transportation
Domestic travel includes planes, trains and automobiles. For foreigners, flying is expensive as there are two rates applied to all tickets: local and foreign. Airfares for trips from Ulaanbaatar to a provincial center range in cost from $200-$300 round trip.
The Trans-Mongolian Railway operates on a 24-hour basis and connects northern Mongolia with the south. Trains are clean and comfortable, and offer a choice between a hard seat (second-class) and a sleeper cabin. They are not equipped with restaurant cars. The line linking Moscow and Beijing via Ulaanbaatar, which was completed in 1955, provides a shorter route between Russia and China than the older line through Manchuria. As trains operate on time and are reliable, they are the most convenient way to travel in-country.
Travel among cities by bus, van, or Russian-made jeep is almost completely on unpaved roads. The price of rides, which depends on the price of the fuel supplied by Russia, has fluctuated greatly in recent years. Note that Volunteers are prohibited from driving motorized vehicles in Mongolia or from riding on or operating motorcycles.
Hotels and housing in Mongolia
Rooms of deluxe, semi-deluxe, first-class and tourist categories are available at the Hotels in Ulaanbaatar and Mongolian Ger at the tourist camp. For Ulaanbaatar being the single hub for any travel destinations within Mongolia, nobody can skip staying at least one or two nights in Ulaanbaatar.
Travelers are welcome to major hotels in Ulaanbaatar such as, Chingis Khaan, Bayangol, Kempinski Khaan Palace, Ulaanbaatar, Flower and Anujin hotel. All hotels are centrally located making it easy for travelers to explore the capital on their own. Also the Ger Camps consist of gers, based on 2-4 beds, restaurants and shower/restroom facilities. Single supplements in hotel and gers are available upon request.
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Currency Exchanges
There are many currency exchanging places in Ulaanbaatar. All the bank branches, most shopping centers have currency exchanging spots. Money gram and Western Union branches are at banks. But best rates can be found at the local currency exchange centers.
Naiman Sharga International Co.,Ltd
Chingeltei district, Peace and Friendship Palace
Altai Bayan Bogd NBFI
Chingeltei district, Bayanbogd Plaza
Tel: 99197085, 322019
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Mongolian Embassies and Consulates
Mongolia has diplomatic relations with around 141 countries. Followings are the contact address for some of Embassy and Consulate of Mongolia.
Great Britain:
7 Kensington Court, London W8 SDL.
Tel: (171) 937-0150, Fax:(171)937-1117. www.embassyofmongolia.co.uk
United States:
2833 M St NW, Washington, Readmore…
Weather in Mongolia
For two or three months in summer, the weather is warm and pleasant and relatively hot in the southern Gobi region, where mid summer temperatures peak at around 40 degrees and there is little shade available.
Winter usually lasts from mid-October until April, with the coldest period being between mid-December and the end of February or mid-March when the temperature drops to -20 or -30C and occasionally even lower. Snow usually falls between mid-October and mid-April. There are some regions, especially in the northwest, where the temperature goes down to -40 to -50C. In the Gobi it drops to -40C.
Spring, which generally starts in March, is known for its constant dust storms and huge fluctuations in air pressure. The steppe gradually starts to sprout fresh, green pasture and even in the capital, the change is both visible and welcome Summer evenings in the Western Altai range tend to be cooler and local nomads have to wear warm and heavy clothes.
The annual rainfall begins in late July and continues until September. Humidity is generally low (47-73 /o), especially in winter. But in the country the number of sunny days ranges between 220 and 260 a year.
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