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- From: 76702.1202@CompuServe.COM (Charlie Smith)
- Newsgroups: rec.travel
- Subject: *NEW* TRAVEL INFORMATION -- Mongolia
- Date: 17 Nov 1992 09:56:55 -0600
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- STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Mongolia
- ============================================================
- Mongolia - Consular Information Sheet
- November 13, 1992
-
- Embassy Location: The U.S. Embassy is located in Micro Region 11,
- Big Ring Road, Ulaanbaatar; the telephone numbers are (976-1) 32905
- and 32906.
-
- Country Description: Mongolia is a country undergoing substantial
- political and economic changes. In June 1992 it held democratic
- elections for the second time since the resignation of the former
- government in 1990. Tourist facilities and services are not widely
- available.
-
- Entry Requirements: Passports and visas are required, as is an
- invitation from a Mongolian host. An exit and entry visa costs $25.
- Multiple entry visas can only be obtained in Ulaanbaatar. Transit
- visas for stays of 48 hours or less require an onward ticket, a visa
- for the next destination and a fee of $20. Foreign travelers to
- Mongolia are required to register within three days of their arrival
- with the police at a Citizens' Information and Registration Center.
- A Tourist visa for up to 90 days requires confirmation from the
- Mongolian Travel Agency (Zhuulchin) and a $20 fee. For more details
- and information on visa issuance and fees and registration
- requirements, the traveler may contact the Embassy of Mongolia at
- 2833 M Street N.W., Washington, D.C. 20007, telephone (202)
- 333-7117.
-
- Medical Facilities: Medical facilities in Mongolia are limited and
- some medicine is unavailable. Plague, while relatively rare, is
- endemic to Mongolia from August to October, and affected areas of
- the country may be quarantined for limited periods during that time.
- Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for
- health services. U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside
- the United States. In some cases, supplemental medical insurance
- with specific coverage abroad including provision for medical
- evacuation has proved useful. The international travelers hotline
- at the Centers for Disease Control, tel. (404) 332-4559, has
- additional useful health information.
-
- Information on Crime: A sharp increase in thefts aboard
- international trains to Russia has recently been reported. 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: Penalties for possession, use or trafficking in
- illegal drugs are strict, and convicted offenders can expect jail
- sentences and fines.
-
- Currency Regulations: Either U. S. dollars or American Express
- Travelers Checks are widely accepted. Thomas Cook travelers checks
- in U. S. dollars can reportedly be used in Mongolia. The American
- Express card is acceptable in a few locations. Cash advances
- against credit cards are not obtainable and there are no
- international banks.
-
- Power Shortages: Severe fuel shortages which affect heating and
- electrical systems are a serious problem. Prolonged blackouts and
- power outages may occur at any time.
-
- Delay in Arrival of Checked Baggage: Passengers arriving in
- Ulaanbaatar by plane from Beijing routinely encounter prolonged
- delays ranging from overnight to four days in the delivery of their
- checked luggage. Mongolian airlines (MIAT) more frequently delays
- baggage delivery than Air China, the only other carrier (except for
- a weekly Aeroflot flight) serving Mongolia. Including warm clothing
- and other essentials in carry-on baggage decreases the inconvenience
- for the traveler.
-
- Accommodations: Hotels are few in number and are often fully
- booked.
-
- Registration: Americans who register at the U.S. Embassy can
- obtain updated information on travel, security and health problems
- within the country.
-
- No. 92-104
-
-