Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Another Manchu tribe, the Jurchen, deposed the Kitan in the early 12th century, re-
named itself the Jin, and returned eastern Mongolia to its warring ways. It wasn't until
Chinggis Khaan united the fractured clans in 1206 that peace took over.
It was from Avarga (modern Delgerkhaan) that Chinggis launched expeditions south
towards China. When the capital was moved to Karakorum in 1220, the region withdrew
into obscurity. It wasn't until 1939 that eastern Mongolia was again in the headlines, this
time as a battlefield between Japanese and joint Soviet-Mongolian forces. Heavy losses
forced the Japanese military machine south, a crucial turning point in WWII.
The discovery of zinc and oil in the region in the 1990s brought the promise of devel-
opment, with change hot on its heels. These natural resources have altered the local land-
scape, with oil wells and other mining infrastructure now a permanent fixture of the
Dornod landscape.
Climate
Eastern Mongolia's climate and landscape have more in common with northeastern Ch-
ina than with Central Asia. Temperature extremes are less severe and winds less violent
than in the west. While the Khan Khentii Mountains get a lot of rain in the summer, an-
nual precipitation on the steppes is about 250mm. Winter daytime temperatures fall to
-20°C but skies are usually blue.
Getting There & Away
A paved road connects Ulaanbaatar and Chinggis Khot and work is ongoing to take it to
Baruun-Urt. The road to Choibalsan is also under construction. Both should be finished
within the lifetime of this topic. Other towns and attractions are connected by decent dirt
or dirt and gravel roads, often boggy after heavy rains.
Buses for Chinggis Khot, Baruun-Urt and Choibalsan depart from Ulaanbaatar's Bay-
anzürkh Avto Vaksal bus station (
Click here
)
. Private vehicles wait at the Naran Tuul
(
Click here
)
jeep station. Another route into the region is through northern Khentii -
daily minivans from Naran Tuul travel to Dadal via Ömnödelger and Binder (these are
not well advertised so you may need a local to help you contact the drivers).
Getting Around
Public transport can get you to most towns in the region provided you're armed with the
patience of an angel. But if you want to see what the region really has to offer you'll
need your own transport.
