Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Getting There & Away
BUS, MINIVAN & JEEP
Two daily buses head to Ulaanbaatar (T13,200) at 8am and 4pm. Daily buses to
Choibalsan and Baruun-Urt both originate in Ulaanbaatar so they tend to be full by the
time they arrive. Both pass through between 1pm and 2pm; to check availability, wait at
the
Hangard petrol station
.
Daily taxis and minivans go between Ulaanbaatar and Chinggis Khot (taxis T20,000,
vans T13,000, five hours, 331km). To go further east your best bet is to wait for the bus.
Early morning postal trucks run to Dadal (T15,200) on weekdays, to Binder (T10,100)
on Tuesday and Thursday, and to Batshireet (T11,300) on Monday and Thursday. It's
best to hire your own jeep and driver from Ulaanbaatar.
HITCHING
Chinggis Khot is the gateway for eastern Mongolia, so all vehicles heading to Dornod
and Sükhbaatar aimags come through here. Getting a lift to Ulaanbaatar, Choibalsan and
Baruun-Urt is comparatively easy.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Khökh Nuur
According to
The Secret History of the Mongols,
it was at
Khökh Nuur
(Blue Lake,; GPS: N
48°01.150', E 108°56.450')
that Temujin first proclaimed himself a khaan (emperor) of the
Mongol tribe. It's a great place for a coronation site; the imaginatively-named Blue Lake
nestles at the foot of what is called
Heart-Shaped Mountain
.
The lake is about 35km northwest of Tsenkhermandal, off the Ulaanbaatar-Chinggis
Khot road. Roads can be muddy and you'll need your own transport and a driver who
knows where it is. If you're approaching from the west, a small ' sign several kilometres
west of the Tsenkhermandal turnoff indicates a shortcut.
You can camp in the woods on the southwest side of the lake, or, alternatively, rent one
of the two-storey log cabins at
Khar Zurkhnii Khukh Nuur
( 9917 1675; GPS: N
48°01.042', E 108°57.029'; 3-/6-person cabin with meals US$40/80)
. It's popular with locals, so
can get rowdy on weekends.
TOP OF CHAPTER
