From: 76702.1202@CompuServe.COM (Charlie Smith)
Newsgroups: rec.travel
Subject: *NEW* TRAVEL INFORMATION -- Mongolia
Date: 17 Nov 1992 09:56:55 -0600
Organization: UTexas Mail-to-News Gateway
NNTP-Posting-Host: cs.utexas.edu

STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Mongolia
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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