Useful Information
Information about anything you could need while visiting or staying in Huvsgul province.
Money
(Banks, currency exchange, money transfer)
- Mongolia's standard currency is the Tugrig (MNT). Rather have enough cash, credit cards (foreign) are rarely accepted in shops.
- Both euro and US dollar can be exchanged in cities without problems, USD is more widely accepted though.
- You can easily withdraw money from ATMs in bigger cities, although the best option is to do it in Murun, if you plan to go further north. From the most visited sites in the countryside, only ATMs in Hatgal are available (i.e. Tsagannuur doesn't have any).
- In Murun, all main banks are situated in opposite to the black market, providing all basic services (e.g. banking, currency exchange, money transfer incl. Western Union, MoneyGramm).
- For information about current exchange rates, see http://coinmill.com/MNT_calculator.html or similar pages.
- Banks are usually open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (1-2p.m. lunch break), during the weekends only Khan Bank and Golomt Bank are open.
- Sometimes it is normal that tourists and locals have to pay different fees/prices - mainly flights, transportation, entrance to sights and museums. Usually this fact does not apply to products, food or accomodation anywhere.
Communication
(Internet, phone calls, postal service)
- Several internet cafés are in the centre of the town of Murun (approx. 500-1000 MNT/hour), as well as free WIFI in a few restaurants and Hotels near the Foursquare, offer service if you have your own laptop or smartphone.
- Offices of all mobile providers (Mobicom, Skytel, Unitel and G-mobile) are located in Murun, charging credit to your number is available literally at every corner, markets or even transfer from private phones is possible.
- Buying local SIM card is reasonable, since price for international phone connection is not expensive (approx. 150 MNT per SMS, 600 MNT per 1 min call). For longer stay or often calls you might consider buying a Globus Card (http://en.mobinet.mn/content/view?id=24), sms can be sent from some internet sites. Incomming calls to local SIM card from foreign countries are not charged.
- Postcards are available at the Information centre, post stamps as well as other services you can obtain at the Post Office (Sukhbaatar square).
- For your friends from Germany (and maybe some other countries) so called Call-by-Call (i.e. using prefix and different providers to get cheaper calls) might be the cheapest option to reach you while travelling in Mongolia.
Health
(Pharmacies, medical care, hygiene)
- Pharmacies are located mostly in Murun (many options), in other areas it might be difficult to find one (except Hatgal). In pharmacies you can obtain medicaments for all common diseases and problems.
- The aimag center hospitals and dental care providers are capable in providing aid for commonly occurring diseases. Equipment and standards may vary but healthcare is available. The only hospital in Huvsgul province is located in the aimag centre, Murun. 24/7 emergency ambulance and pharmacy are available. For english speaking doctor, call 22466. Costs must be covered after every service. The frequently read advice about flying out to Beijing for further treatment of diseases/injuries is not necessarily true. Ulaanbaatar offers hospitals in all categories.
- In terms of hygiene, there are some facilities with running water, flush toilet and shower, although the majority of Murun and almost no houses in the countryside lack in these services. Therefore it might be useful to visit a public shower in Murun (i.e. near the wrestling stadium).
- Water is distributed in water booths which are almost on every street, however the drinkability of water is a subject of discussions, researches and depends on your standards. Bottled water is available in every shop or bring your own water filter as it may be difficult to find one. If you travel further north, water from springs/rivers should be save. Cattle and population might have an impact on Murun's used groundwater and the river. Purification (iodine, carbon filter, ..) is advised.
Click here for basic Mongolian phrases, arkets, restaurants,accomodation
Safety & Security
(Police, required documents, important rules and guidelines)
- Useful numbers: emergency ambulance (103), local police (01382-102), police (102), fire station (101)
- Don't forget to register at the Immigration Office in Ulaanbaatar after arrival.
- For border areas with Russia (such as Tsagaannuur i.e. and every area within 100Km to the boarder) you have to obtain border permission at the Boarder Guard Office in Murun (located 200 metres to the west of the Black Market - 200m from Foursquare, neighbouring to the main police station). A Passport (+copy) is required and a mongolian speaking guide along is highly recommended. Opening hours: Mon-Fri (9 a.m.-3 p.m.); arranging the permit usually takes a few hours.
- All National Parks in Huvsgul province can be entered after paying a specific fee for each one of them (300 natives, 3000 tourists). Payment is done just at the border so you don't have to arrange it in advance. In case there is no officer in the booth, be aware to buy a real permit from rangers since fake copies have been sold occasionally. You should get a litter bag with your permit at the entrance.
- The Huvsgul area is pretty safe for tourist, although basic safety & security rules and guidelines should be obeyed.
- The number of dogs in Murun (mainly visible at night) is comparably high. Avoid petting with any of them, rabies is not rare in this area.
- Camping arround Murun is possible and a great experience, but it should best not be done in sight of settlements. - It is also advisable not to camp close to rivers since the amount of insects can increase arround you rapidly and unexpectedly.
- Photography can become an issue if problems. Allthough posed and requested photography is not a problem - sometimes encouraged. Some motives like Black Markets (might seem exotic to tourists) or overloaded Trucks/Motorbikes or unclean people/children might cause harmful experiences - Mongolians are proud people. And even the Black Market is rather seen as a necessary proivisorium than as lively place of trade for the local population.
- Also here, people under the influence of alcohol might behave unpredictable.
- While riding motobikes or horses, helmets are not obligatory - common safety rules should be judged individually. This applies also for all vehicles and drivers of choice, if you plan your trip individually.