From: owner-travel-advisories Subject: NEW TRAVEL INFO -- Mongolia Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories Date: Wed, 16 Jul 1997 17:01:46 GMT Organization: The World @ Software Tool & Die Xref: world wstd.travel.advisories:1407 Path: world!bzs Message-ID: <970716170146_76702.1202_CHN52-1@CompuServe.COM> Precedence: bulk Sender: bzs@world.std.com (daemons) Distribution: wstd Approved: usenet@world.std.com Lines: 146 STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Mongolia ============================================================ Mongolia - Consular Information Sheet July 14, 1997 Country Description: Mongolia is a vast north Asian country. The country peacefully abandoned its communist system in 1990 and has successfully made the transition to a parliamentary democracy. Economic reforms continue. The country's development has been hampered by inadequate infrastructure, particularly in the energy, transportation, and communication sectors. Travelers to Mongolia should be aware of the shortcomings in these areas as they may have an impact on travel plans. Entry and Exit Requirements: Entry and exit visas are required. The Mongolian government has announced its intention to issue visas at the International Airport in Ulaanbaatar and at the train stations on the Russian and Chinese borders, effective July 1, 1997. Visitors staying in Mongolia for more than 30 days are required to register with the police at the Citizen's Information and Registration Center. Long-term visitors who fail to register may be stopped at departure, denied exit, and fined. Visitors who overstay the time in country permitted on the visa are also subject to the same penalties. For current information on visa issuance, fees and registration requirements, travelers should contact the Embassy of Mongolia at 2833 M Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20007, tel. (202) 333-7117. Travelers arriving or departing Mongolia through China should also be aware of Chinese visa regulations. American citizens are not permitted to transit through China without a visa. For more information, please see the Consular Information Sheet for China or contact the Embassy of the People's Republic of China, 2300 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008, tel. (202) 328-2500 or the Chinese consulates general in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, New York City, and Houston. Medical Facilities: Medical facilities in Mongolia are limited, and some medicines are unavailable. Infectious diseases, such as plague and meningococcal meningitis, are present at various times of the year. For more information, please contact the U.S. Embassy in Ulaanbaatar. For further information about health matters, travelers may contact the international travelers hotline at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta at tel. (404) 332-4559, or visit their home page on the internet: http://www.cdc.gov. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate payment for health services. U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. Before traveling, persons may wish to obtain supplemental medical insurance with specific coverage abroad, including a provision for medical evacuation. Information on Crime: Over the past few years, Mongolia, and Ulaanbaatar in particular, have experienced a significant rise in crime. Petty theft, such as pickpocketing and bag-snatching, is common. Travelers should be especially cautious in all crowded public areas such as markets, the State Department Store or public transportation. There have been reports of more violent assaults on foreigners, but these incidents have been infrequent and generally directed against long-term residents. The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the U.S. Embassy. Useful information on guarding valuables and protecting personal security while traveling abroad is provided in the Department of State pamphlet "A Safe Trip Abroad." It is available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402. Drug Penalties: U.S. citizens are subject to the laws of the countries in which they are traveling. In Mongolia, penalties for possession, use or trafficking in illegal drugs are strict, and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and fines. Road Safety: Driving in the capital city of Ulaanbaatar can be extremely difficult due to poorly maintained streets, malfunctioning traffic lights, inadequate street lighting, and a shortage of traffic signs. There has been a dramatic increase in the number of vehicles on the road in recent years, but the knowledge and skills of the driving population has not kept pace with the influx of automobiles. There are few taxis in town and there is no regulation of the industry. Most people simply wave down a vehicle and negotiate a price with the driver. There are no car rental companies currently operating in Mongolia, but it is sometimes possible to hire a car and driver. Public transportation within the capital is extensive, cheap, and generally reliable, but it is also extremely crowded. There are few paved roads outside of the capital and driving can be hazardous, particularly after dark. Currency Regulations: U.S. dollars are generally accepted in most hotels and restaurants in Ulaanbaatar and other major tourist locations, despite an existing law that requires all commercial transactions to be conducted in Tugriks, the local currency. Travelers may find it useful to carry some cash in Tugriks, and visitors to areas outside of Ulaanbaatar should certainly do so. Traveler's checks denominated in dollars are accepted at some hotels and may be converted to dollars or Tugriks at several banks. Credit cards can be used at a variety of hotels, restaurants, and shops, almost exclusively in Ulaanbaatar. Cash advances against credit cards are available at one commercial bank, and international bank wire transfers are also possible. Winter Power Shortages: Severe fuel shortages and problems with central heating and electrical systems may cause seriously reduced heating levels and power outages in Ulaanbaatar and the cities of Darham and Erdenet during the winter months of November through April. Smaller towns in the countryside may have no heat or electricity at all during these months. The U.S. Embassy advises all American residents in Mongolia to be prepared to depart, if there is a complete energy failure. Arrival of Checked Baggage: While improvements at Mongolia's International Airport have reduced problems in baggage handling, visitors arriving in Ulaanbaatar by air may still encounter delays in the delivery of checked luggage. The prudent travelers will include warm clothing and other essentials in their carry-on-baggage to minimize inconvenience should a delay occur. Accommodations: The number of hotels in Ulaanbaatar and of tourist-oriented facilities in the countryside has increased sharply in recent years. Accommodation is readily available, although many hotels may be fully booked during the peak tourist month of July. Embassy Location/Registration: The U.S. Embassy is located in Micro Region 11, Big Ring Road, Ulaanbaatar. The telephone numbers is (976-1) 329-095. Americans who register at the U.S. Embassy may obtain updated information on travel, security, and health problems within the country. No. 97-118 This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated February 13, 1996 and revises information regarding country description, entry/exit requirements and currency regulations. Added is a section on road safety. In the section concerning medical facilities, the internet address of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is now provided. ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- The "travel-advisories@stolaf.edu" mailing list is the official Internet and BITNET distribution point for the U.S. State Department Travel Warnings and Consular Information Sheets. To unsubscribe, send a message containing the word "unsubscribe" to: travel-advisories-request@stolaf.edu Archives of past "travel-advisories" postings are available at the URL: "http://www.stolaf.edu/network/travel-advisories.html" or via Gopher: gopher.stolaf.edu, Internet Resources/US-State-Department-Travel-Advisories