The name 'Mongolia' has always stirred up visions of the untamed and exotic - the warlord Genghis Khan, camels wandering in the Gobi Desert and wild horses galloping across the steppes. Mongolia, situated between the two giant country China and Russia, is known as the land of horses. It is said that the number of horses are twice than the population of Mongolia. As a property, Mongol people boast by counting the number of horses they possess. For them, what is important is a horse. The country is full of fallow lands, meadows and icy streams. Currently Mongolians are suffering from a lack of infrastructure and support, and a couple of harsh winters have decimated herds and bought the country to near starvation.

When to Go
The travel season is typically from May to early October, though Ulaan Baatar can be visited any time of year if you can tolerate the bitter cold. Early July has the best weather for the northern part of the country and is also the time to celebrate Mongolia's Naadam Festival. Be aware, though, that this is also when Ulaan Baatar's inadequate accommodation and creaky transport is stretched to the breaking point. June and September are both pleasant times to visit, and attract fewer visitors. The best months to visit the Gobi Desert and not get toasted are September and October. Be aware that between mid-October and mid-May sudden snowstorms and extreme cold can ground flights, block roads and cause the country's transport system to stall.

Events
The biggest event of the year is the Naadam Festival, known as the eriyn gurvan naadam, after the three 'manly sports' of wrestling, archery and horse racing. The festival is held all over the country, normally between 11 and 13 July, the anniversary of the 1921 Mongolian Revolution. The major events take place during the first two days. Tsagaan Sar (White Month) is the start of the lunar new year in January or February. After months of enduring a bitter winter, Mongolians celebrate over three days with a lot of food, liquor and singing.

Visas
Entry and exit visas are required of all nationalities. They may be obtained at the airport at a cost of around US$50 and must be accompanied by an invitation or sponsorship from a Mongolian company, a resident foreigner, or an organised tour company. Some consulates and embassies interpret the regulations more liberally than others. Visitors must be registered at the police department 10 days after arrival and checked out of the registry upon departure.

Health risks
Brucellosis, cholera, meningococcal meningitis, bubonic plague

Time : UTC/GMT plus 8 hours; UTC/GMT plus 7 hours in the western provinces of Bayan-Ölgii, Uvs and Khovd

Electricity : 220V, 50Hz

Weights & measures : Metric