Western Mongolia - Mongolia - page 516

Maps
Among the maps produced outside Mongolia, the best is the 1:200,000 Mongolia map
published by Gizi Maps ( www.gizimap.hu ) . The map is in both Latin and Cyrillic letters,
handy for both you and your driver. It's available at Seven Summits ( 11-329 456;
www.activemongolia.com/seven_summits ; btwn Peace Ave & Seoul St) in Ulaanbaatar for
T20,200.
While shopping for maps in Ulaanbaatar, look out for the 1:1,500,000 Road Network At-
las (T14,990) produced by MPM Agency. Another handy map is the 1:2,000,000 Road
Map of Mongolia (T10,800). It has the most accurate road layout and town names and
usefully marks the kilometres between all towns. Also useful is the Tourist Map of Mongo-
lia (T8100), which marks a host of obscure historical, archaeological and natural sights,
as well as ger camps. Most maps are updated every couple of years.
Explorers will want to check out the 1:500,000 series of topographic maps, which cov-
ers Mongolia in 37 maps. Each sheet costs around T5500 to T7000, but don't count on all
being available. The topographic maps are particularly useful if travelling by horse or foot
or using a GPS, but they can get expensive. A cheaper alternative is a series of all 21
aimag maps (T25,000, or T1500 per sheet).
You will also spot handy regional maps (T4000 each) to the most popular tourist areas,
including Khövsgöl Nuur (1:200,000), Gobi Gurvan Saikhan (1:200,000) and Terelj
(1:100,000).
Conservation Ink ( www.conservationink.org ) produces maps (US$8) using satellite im-
ages combined with useful information on culture, wildlife and tourist facilities. The nation-
al park series includes Altai Tavan Bogd, Khövsgöl Nuur, Gobi Gurvan Saikhan, Gorkhi-
Terelj and Khustain.
Chinggis Khaan junkies will want to check out the Chinggis Khaan Atlas , available
around Ulaanbaatar for about T8000, which maps his every presumed movement in ob-
sessive detail.
Money
Currency The Mongolian unit of currency is the tögrög (T), often spelled tugrik because it
reflects the more accurate pronunciation. It comes in notes of T5, T10, T20, T50, T100,
T500, T1000, T5000, T10,000 and T20,000. (T1 notes are basically souvenirs.) The
highest-value note is worth around US$12.
Moneychangers Banks and exchange offices in Ulaanbaatar will change money with rel-
ative efficiency. Banks in provincial centres are also fine; they change dollars and give
cash advances against debit and credit cards.