Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Shopping
Just about everything you can think of is available in UB, from ancient Buddhist antiques
to the latest generation iPhone. Some higher-end places accept credit cards but cash is still
king at most shops.
The antique trade is booming in Mongolia, but you need to be careful about what you
buy, as some of it is illegal to export. Make sure the seller can produce a certificate of au-
thenticity. Some dealers will suggest shipping the antiques in the mail to avoid customs at
the airport - if you get caught, you may end up in prison.
The numerous souvenir shops in town sell landscape paintings, wool slippers, Mongoli-
an jackets, felt dolls and Chinggis Khaan T-shirts. On Chinggis Khaan (Sükhbaatar) Sq
and in the Central Post Office (CPO) you will undoubtedly encounter amateur artists
selling watercolours for US$1 to US$5. Contemporary Mongolian artwork can be pur-
chased at a small number of galleries around town. The biggest souvenir outlet is on the
6th floor of the State Department Store.
Traditional musical instruments make perfect gifts for friends who are musically in-
clined. The
morin khuur
(horse-head fiddle) is particularly nice as a piece of decorative art
(and Mongolians consider it good luck to have one in the home).
Cashmere also makes good gifts. The major cashmere and wool factories are Goyo,
Gobi Cashmere and Altai. The State Department Store has cashmere on the 2nd and 6th
floors. Some shops around Beatles Sq also deal in cashmere.
Be aware that Western-quality camping gear is not cheap in Mongolia, so you may want
to bring stuff from home. Cheap Chinese-made products are available if you're desperate,
though most of it breaks down before you even leave the city. There is a decent camping
section on the 3rd floor of the State Department Store. For secondhand stuff, check the no-
ticeboards at the guesthouses and at Café Amsterdam (
Click here
)
.
For a country with such a rich tradition in horse riding there is a surprising lack of
shops selling saddles and tack. The best selection is still at the Naran Tuul Market. You
may also be able to pick up a secondhand saddle from another traveller (check guesthouse
noticeboards).
English-language bookshops are small and limited. You could try poking around the
newspaper kiosk in the CPO or the bookshop on the 6th floor of the State Department
Store.
Naran Tuul Market
MARKET
