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Why Go?The Trans-Mongolian route is the most diverse leg of the

cross-continental journey, cutting across three distinct cul-

tures, landscapes and languages. It includes some of the

most awe-inspiring sights of the long journey, not the least

of which is the Great Wall of China, but also the Gobi Desert

and the vast Mongolian steppes, still the domain of horse-

bound nomads. The major jumping-offpoint is Ulaanbaatar.

Many travellers plan their visit around the colourful Naad-am Festival, but a visit any time of year reveals a surprisingly

fast-paced city with great cultural attractions and heady

nightlife. Before heading for Mongolia from Russia, pause

to explore Ulan-Ude, where you could leave the train briefly

for a minibus ride to the border, taking in the historic towns

of Novoseleginsk and Kyakhta. The China leg is a relatively

short hop but has its own unique character, highlighted by

the beguiling Yungang Caves near Dtng.

When to Go

mid-Jul Naadamgrinds Ulaan-baatar to a haltto make way forwrestling, archeryand horse racing.

Aug Prime timefor lounging inUlaanbaatarsopen-air cafes,swapping travelstories.

Sep Autumnbrings changingcolours in for-ested areas andsmaller touristcrowds.

F DNOSAJJMAMJ

Ulaanbaatar

C/F Temp Rainfall inches/mm

0

2/50

4/100

6/150

-50/-58

-30/-22

-10/14

10/50

30/86

-40/-40

-20/-4

0/32

20/68

Kyakhta, Russia ............269Ulaanbaatar,Mongolia .......................270Around Ulaanbaatar.....284rlin (Erenhot),China ............................286Dtng, China...............286

Route Info Distance: 2217km Duration: Two days six

hours

Time zones: Ulan-Ude:Moscow +5; Ulaanbaatarand Dtng: Moscow +4

Best Places toStay & Eat Lotus Guesthouse (p277) Zaya Backpacker Hostel

(p277)

Ulaanbaatar Hotel (p277) Tngti Bngun hotel

(p289)

Millies Espresso cafe(p278)

Mongolians restaurant(p278)

The Trans-MongolianRoute

Lonely Planet Publications Pty Ltd

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T

HE

TRANS-MONGOLIANROUTE

T

HE

TRANS-MONGOLIAN

ROUTE

(Shnx)Shaanxi

AimagTv

AimagDornogov

Aimagmngov

AimagSkhbaatar

SumberGov

AimagDornod

AimagSelenge

AimagKhentii

Dundgov Aimag

Hbi

Inner Mongolia

Nailakh

Zagustay

Bdlng

Altanbulag

Novoselenginsk

Zamyn-drlin (Erenhot)

Znkharaa

Borzya

Choir

Skhbaatar

Mandalgov

Choibalsan

Baruun Urt

Sainshand

Dtng

Jnng

Zhngjikou

HohhotBIJNG

Tarskaya

Zaudinsky

Darkhan

Ulan-Ude

BaikalLake

(Goose Lake)Gusinoe Ozero

River

Yellow

UldzR

iver

C H I N A

C H I N AR U S S I A

M O N G O L I A

Khiid

Mandshir

AreaProtected

Uul StrictlyBogdkhan

KhiidKhamaryn

Gorkhi-Terelj National Park

CavesYungang

ParkNationalKhustain

Kyakhta

Mongolian Steppes

Ulaanbaatar

Other Railway Lines

Trans-Mongolian & Trans-Manchurian Routes

Main Trans-Siberian Route

180 miles0

300 km0

1 Enjoying a meal of boiledmutton and fermented mares

milk in a ger (yurt) on the vast

Mongolian steppes (p285)

2Attending a mysticalceremony at the countrys

largest monastery, Ulaan-

baatars Gandan Khiid (p272)

3Browsing through thecollection of stuffed animals,

curios and artefacts atUlaanbaatars Winter Palace

of the Bogd Khan (p272)

4 Spotting rare wild horsesat Khustain National Park

(p285)

5 Staring in wonder atthe 51,000 Buddhist statues

inside the Yungang Caves

(p288) near Dtng

6Exploring the antiquatedtown of Kyakhta (p269) on the

MongolianRussian border,

once home to a thriving trading

post on the ancient tea route

7Celebrating Naadam(p280), Mongolias mid-

summer festival that features

the countrys best wrestlers,

archers and race horses

Trans-Mongolian Route Highlights