Winter Border Crossing from Erlian China to Zamiin-uud Mongolia
Traveling from Hohhot to Erlian
For those not scared of the bite of the winter. The border to Mongolia lays just a few hours north of China’s Inner-Mongolia. While Hohhot and the rest of Inner-Mongolia have its rich history and stunning steppes. The local Mongolian culture has been watered down due to years of Han Chinese influence. To truly get a feel for traditional nomadic culture you will have to head north and cross the border into Mongolia.
The best way to get from the sprawling city of Hohhot (呼和浩特) to the border town of Erlian (二连) is by night train. With services leaving at both 10:00 pm and 11:00 pm. This 7-hour train ride will put you right at the Mongolian border a couple of hours before it opens. (Border operation hours are from 9:00 – 7:00) Tickets to Erlian cost just around 50 RMB (7 USD)
Want to read more about traveling in Hohhot? Check out the full article here!
Finding a Ride from Erlian to Zamiin-uud
Travelers are unable to simply walk across the Chinese-Mongolian border. Therefore you will have to either continue by train, take a bus, or hire a jeep to get to Zamiin-uud or the capital of Ulaanbaatar.
After reaching the border town of Erlian in China you have several options on how to cross over into Mongolia. Some travelers will decide to take a bus directly from Erlian to the capital of Mongolia in Ulaanbaatar. These buses leave from the Erlian International Bus Station (二连国际汽车站) at 10:00 am and 1:00 pm. The bus takes about 12 hours and cost 180 RMB (25 USD).
Another popular option for those looking to cross the border from Erlian to Zamiin-uud is to take one of the vintage jeeps into Mongolia. These jeeps can be found at the Erlian International Bus Station or directly in front of the Chinese-Mongolian Border. These jeeps should cost anywhere between 50 – 100 RMB (7-14 USD). After getting off to check your visa at the border, these jeeps will drop you off in the main square of Zamiin-uud, right in front of the train station.
Thinking about visiting the Genghis Khan Statue in Ulaanbaatar? Read on how to get there here!
Crossing the Border into Mongolia
After the jeep fills up, the driver will then rev up the antique jeep and take the load of passengers to the Chinese-Mongolian border. After arriving at immigration, the process is quite simple. The marble halls and state-of-the-art equipment on the Erlian side of the border will have you stamped out of China in no time.
Although with less modern facilities, the Mongolians are no less efficient. Before you know it you will be out of China and crossing the border into Mongolia’s Zamiin-uud. There is even a bank teller attached to Mongolian immigration where you can exchange your money into Mongolian Tugrik.
Despite both countries having very different cultures, the towns of Erlian and Zamiin-uud have a distinct Russian influence. After being dropped off in Zamiin-uud’s city square, you will find slews of dilapidated pastel buildings and hole-in-the-wall markets.
Did you know Inner-Mongolia has its own Great Wall? Read on how to visit the Great Wall here!
Taking The Train From Zamiin-uud To Ulaanbaatar
By the time you cross the border from China and arrive in Zamiin-uud, the next train to Ulaanbaatar will probably leave around 6:05 pm. The cost of a hard sleeper from Zamiin-uud to Ulaanbaatar will cost about 25,500 Tugrik (10 USD). The trip takes just about 11 hours and will have you pulling into Ulaanbaatar at 7:20 the next morning.
Zamiin-uud has just enough attractions to occupy your time between crossing the border and boarding the train to Ulaanbaatar. There are a couple of monuments scattered around the border town. As well as some unique Soviet-style pastel buildings. Eventually the high from crossing into a new country will die down. You will find yourself returning to the train station and twiddling your thumbs until your six o’clock departure from Zamiin-uud to the capital.
Want to see what to do in Mongolia during the winter? You can read my complete itinerary here!
Riding The Rails In Mongolia
Riding the train in Mongolia is an experience within itself. These relics of the Soviet Union are still the kings of the rails for most of the world. What may look like nothing more than a hunk of rusted metal from the outside, transforms into a hive of warm cozy nooks inside each carriage.
Escaping from the frigged chill of Zamiin-uud, these trains will have you sipping on all the tea you can drink and lounging in toasty warm bunks. Some of these trains, no matter how old they may be, are even equipped with their very own flat-screen TVs. Thus making the rocky 11-hour train ride even more bearable.
Scared about traveling to Mongolia during the winter? You can read about my experience here!
Pulling Into Ulaanbaatar
While 11 hours from Zaiin-uud to Ulaanbaatar may seem like an endless train ride, the fact that you are spending most of the time sleeping makes the journey seem like just a few hours. After countless cups of tea, hours of Mongolian television, and a good nights sleep, you will be waking up to the thick smog of Ulaanbaatar before you know it.
Despite how daunting a task it seems to cross the border from China to Mongolia, travelers will be pleased to find how straight forward the process actually is. Within a mere 36 hour period you will be departing Hohhot and stepping foot into the frozen capital of Ulaanbaatar.
While there is the option to take a direct bus or train from Beijing or Hohhot all the way to Ulaanbaatar, you are cutting out a large chunk of the adventure. Exploring the border towns of Erlian and Zaiin-uud and riding the rails to Ulaanbaatar is what makes Mongolia worth traveling to. Hopping into the vintage jeeps and wandering through the no man’s land between Mongolia and China is what makes this journey the trip of a lifetime.
