Any foreign visitor wishing to enter Mongolia must have a valid passport and visa. Mongolian visas are issued by Mongolian Diplomatic Missions abroad or upon arrival at a special request.
Mongolia Embassy and Honored Consul in foreign countries will issue a visa. If there is not any Embassy Consular Office and also Honored Consul in your country (or country, where you are available to apply) you can get a visa at the immigration office of Mongolian border. In this case, you have to inform us at least one week before your arrival. We will fix official documents and also visa request letter to the Border Immigration Office. If Embassy Consuls and Honored Consul request an invitation letter for a visa we will provide with it.
Citizens of below mentioned countries visit to Mongolia without a visa:
* United States of America
* Great Britain
* Hong Kong /up to 14 days visit/
* Macao
* Malaysia
* Singapore /up to 14 days visit/
* Philippines /up to 21 days visit/
* Kazakhstan
* Israel
* Cuba
* Azerbaijan
* Turkmenistan
* Ukraine
* Georgia
* Belarus
* Kyrgyzstan
For all information related to consular matters (visas, citizenship, etc), please contact in person by telephone or E-mail the nearest diplomatic or consular mission of Mongolia.
2009/09/19
Do's & Dont's
You can visit a family anytime during ordinary days because Mongolian people are always hospitable and friendly. They always offer food and drinks for guests who arrived from far places. House owners of the 'ger' would wish you to feel at home. Please remember the following:
- Greet the family members and sit down. Mongolians respect by sitting, but Europeans show respect by standing. Do not sit putting one leg over another, or otherwise people will think that you are looking down on them.
- Do not cross your arm over your chest while sitting. They would think that you are sick.
- Do not point at people. They would suspect that you bring them to evil.
- Women cannot sit on the place of honor (north side of ger) where men can sit. Most of Asian people respect men and give them a seat in the place of honor.
- Europeans let women sit in the place of honor. If one gives praise to the wife, the husband dislikes it and the wife feels ashamed.
- If a present is given right upon entry in a ger, there will be a disfavor (they will be upset) and surprised and worried. The custom is to present a gift before leaving.
- According to European culture tea is offered at the end, but in Mongolian tradition tea must be the first thing to be offered.
- Mongolians dislike when people drink tea holding the rim of drinking bowl. Hold a cup by the bottom, not by the top rim.
- It is a tradition for Mongolian people to offer tea and food for guests, therefore, not necessary to say "Thank you" every time if tea is offered. It is respectful to say at the end something like: "Thank you so much for your hospitality and thank you for your respect". While they are offering food it is not proper to say "I have to go". If you really have to go you can tell some reasons like "I have to move earlier because I have many things to do..."
- Do not pass the place of honor while going out of the house; therefore, you can pass clockwise by the side. Mongolian people do not expect to get gifts from the visitors, but they would be happy if visitors give candies or gifts to their children.
- During formal celebrations or occasions, food, tea or vodka should be given and received with the right hand extended and the left hand supporting the right elbow.
- Use two hands or the right hand to offer or to take something.
- Roll down your sleeves before taking or giving something, or before being introduced to an older person.
- When you give a knife or scissors, pass it giving the handle, but not the blade.
- It is not polite to say “No” when the host offers tea, food or dairy products.
- It is rude not to offer a guest a cup of tea of coffee, some candy, etc.
- Passing a snuff bottle is a formal occasion. You may actually take a pinch or sniff the bottle's top. Before passing the bottle to another, you should offer it back to its owner. If you sample the snuff, do not screw the cap back on - simply leave it on the bottle neck with the snuff blade inside.
- When offered vodka or airag, accept it. Drinking it is not necessary, but you should touch it to your lips as if tasting it, and return the cap or bowl to the person who handed it to you. You may also dip your ring finger into the drink, raise your hand above your head, and flick your finger to the four winds.
- Mongolians touch each other more than Europeans. It is normal to see men or women holding hands or putting their arms around each other's shoulders.
- It is normal for Mongolians to not introduce friends they are with to the friends they meet.
- Mongolian friends sometimes visit each other's house without calling, it is not considered rude.
- It is impolite to put your feet or shoes on chairs or tables. To show the bottom of your feet when sitting in close proximity to another is offensive.
- When you enter a ger, do not step on the threshold. Usually, guests move in a clockwise direction to the west and north.
- The east side of ger (yurt) is the women's side, and the west is the men's.
- Mount and dismount a horse from the left side.
- It is rude for a woman to sit cross-legged in a ger.
- If Mongolians spill airag, milk or other dairy products on the ground, they will dip their fingers into it and touch it lightly to their forehead.
- Do not whistle inside gers or any kind of building. Why should one not whistle at home? If we whistle at home a whirlwind will come and destroy our home... they say. People dislike very much one who whistles and brings about such bad wind. Long time ago there was legend about whistlers who can create a whirlwind to destroy the enemies for the sake of protecting their home.
- When offering a drink, consider that it is better to present a cup without cracks or a damaged rim.
- It is rude to walk across an area where women are milking their cows.
- Greet the family members and sit down. Mongolians respect by sitting, but Europeans show respect by standing. Do not sit putting one leg over another, or otherwise people will think that you are looking down on them.
- Do not cross your arm over your chest while sitting. They would think that you are sick.
- Do not point at people. They would suspect that you bring them to evil.
- Women cannot sit on the place of honor (north side of ger) where men can sit. Most of Asian people respect men and give them a seat in the place of honor.
- Europeans let women sit in the place of honor. If one gives praise to the wife, the husband dislikes it and the wife feels ashamed.
- If a present is given right upon entry in a ger, there will be a disfavor (they will be upset) and surprised and worried. The custom is to present a gift before leaving.
- According to European culture tea is offered at the end, but in Mongolian tradition tea must be the first thing to be offered.
- Mongolians dislike when people drink tea holding the rim of drinking bowl. Hold a cup by the bottom, not by the top rim.
- It is a tradition for Mongolian people to offer tea and food for guests, therefore, not necessary to say "Thank you" every time if tea is offered. It is respectful to say at the end something like: "Thank you so much for your hospitality and thank you for your respect". While they are offering food it is not proper to say "I have to go". If you really have to go you can tell some reasons like "I have to move earlier because I have many things to do..."
- Do not pass the place of honor while going out of the house; therefore, you can pass clockwise by the side. Mongolian people do not expect to get gifts from the visitors, but they would be happy if visitors give candies or gifts to their children.
- During formal celebrations or occasions, food, tea or vodka should be given and received with the right hand extended and the left hand supporting the right elbow.
- Use two hands or the right hand to offer or to take something.
- Roll down your sleeves before taking or giving something, or before being introduced to an older person.
- When you give a knife or scissors, pass it giving the handle, but not the blade.
- It is not polite to say “No” when the host offers tea, food or dairy products.
- It is rude not to offer a guest a cup of tea of coffee, some candy, etc.
- Passing a snuff bottle is a formal occasion. You may actually take a pinch or sniff the bottle's top. Before passing the bottle to another, you should offer it back to its owner. If you sample the snuff, do not screw the cap back on - simply leave it on the bottle neck with the snuff blade inside.
- When offered vodka or airag, accept it. Drinking it is not necessary, but you should touch it to your lips as if tasting it, and return the cap or bowl to the person who handed it to you. You may also dip your ring finger into the drink, raise your hand above your head, and flick your finger to the four winds.
- Mongolians touch each other more than Europeans. It is normal to see men or women holding hands or putting their arms around each other's shoulders.
- It is normal for Mongolians to not introduce friends they are with to the friends they meet.
- Mongolian friends sometimes visit each other's house without calling, it is not considered rude.
- It is impolite to put your feet or shoes on chairs or tables. To show the bottom of your feet when sitting in close proximity to another is offensive.
- When you enter a ger, do not step on the threshold. Usually, guests move in a clockwise direction to the west and north.
- The east side of ger (yurt) is the women's side, and the west is the men's.
- Mount and dismount a horse from the left side.
- It is rude for a woman to sit cross-legged in a ger.
- If Mongolians spill airag, milk or other dairy products on the ground, they will dip their fingers into it and touch it lightly to their forehead.
- Do not whistle inside gers or any kind of building. Why should one not whistle at home? If we whistle at home a whirlwind will come and destroy our home... they say. People dislike very much one who whistles and brings about such bad wind. Long time ago there was legend about whistlers who can create a whirlwind to destroy the enemies for the sake of protecting their home.
- When offering a drink, consider that it is better to present a cup without cracks or a damaged rim.
- It is rude to walk across an area where women are milking their cows.
Water Basins
Arctic Basin
This takes up 20.4 percent of Mongolia, including the rivers Selenge and Khuremtei, with tributaries the Ider, Delgermurun, Eg and Shishkhed.
Selenge River
This begins at the confluence of the rivers Delger Murun and Ider and is the main tributary of Lake Baigali, Russia. The Selenge, running for 1,024 kilometres, drains 425,245 square km, of which 282,050 square km (66 per cent) is in Mongolia.
Orkhon River
This is the biggest right bank tributary of the Selenge, draining 132,855 square km. It occupies 47 per cent of the Selenge river basin. At 1,124 km long, it is Mongolia's longest river, sourced at the northwest of Khangai Mountain. Mongolia's biggest waterfall, Ulaan Tsutgalan, is situated there. The Tuul and Kharaa rivers drain into the Orkhon. The Pacific Ocean basin major rivers are the Onon, Ulz, Khalkh and Kherlen, tributaries of the Amar river. The total length of rivers with permanent flow is about 2,000km; add rivers with irregular growth and the total length is about 8,000km.
Pacific Ocean Basin
The Onon river runs from the hot mineral springs of the Khentii mountains, draining 94,010 square km. Its total length is 808km, of which 298km are in Mongolia, originating from the river Shilca, a tributary of the Onon and Amar rivers. The Onon flows through mountainous forested areas.
Kherlen River
The Kherlen is sourced from the south of a mountain in the Khentii range, 1,750 metres above sea level. It flows east then south and joins Lake Dalai in China. The Kherlen is 1,264km, 1,090km of which is in Mongolia, at first through densely forested mountains, then east to the wooded steppe.
Ulz River
This has its source in mountains on the east of the Khentii range, and flows between the Onon and Kherlen rivers. It drains into Russia's Lake Tooroi.
Khalkh River
This river flows from the Ikh Khyangan mountains and branches into two near Lake Buir. The left branch drains into Lake Buir and the right into the Orshuun river. The Khalkh is 233km long and drains 30,465 square km, of which 12,775 square km are in Mongolia.
Central Asian Inland Basin
Bulgan River
The Bulgan, Uench and Bodonch rivers, which start in the southern face of the Mongol Altai Mountains, are part of the blind Central Asian drainage basin. This includes the Buyant, Khovd, Tsenkher, Sagsai, Sogoog and tributary rivers, which rise in the north of the Mongol Altai Mountains.
Khovd River
The Khovd is sourced in the north of the Mongol Altai Mountains and runs into Lakes Khoton and Khorgon. Running for 593km, its largest tributaries are the Tsagaan Khovd and Khar Khovd.
Zavkhan River
This runs from the southern face of Otgontenger Mountain, the highest peak of the Khangai range. It first flows from the confluence of the Buyant and Shar Us rivers. The Zavkhan flows on the west of the Khangai Mountain into Lake Airag, which is connected to Lake Khyargas. It runs 808 kilometers and provides most of the tributary flow into Lake Khyargas.
Biggest Lakes
Lakes are a significant geographical feature in Mongolia. The mineral and chemical mixture of the lakes depends mainly on geological formation of surface and underground water and physical and geographical conditions of drainage areas. The mineral and the chemical compounds are determined by the lake salt balance, water exchange and outside flow.
Lake Khar-Us
This lake lies at 1,157 meters above sea level, with an area of 1,852 square kilometers, 72 kilometers long, 27km wide and only four meters deep. This fresh water lake has few minerals (180-330 milligram's/ liter in winter, 110-260 milligram's/ liter in summer).
Lake Terkhiin Tsagaan
The lake is 206 meters above sea level, covering 61 square km. It is 16km long, with a shoreline of six km and an average depth of six meters. This fresh soft water lake has low mineralization, varying between 160-210 milligram's/ liter in winter and 100-180 milligram's/ liter in summer.
Lake Buir
The area of its water plane is 615 square km, its length is 40km, its width is 21km and its maximum depth is 10.5 meters. This is a soft and fresh water lake.
Lake Khyargas
The area of its water plane is 1,407 square km. The salt and alkaline water is highly mineralized (1,000 milligrammes/litre), and these minerals and salt ions are unstable. The Khyargas has no outflow. The direct influences of lakes of the Central Asian blind drainage basin on the ecosystem are relatively few. Ecological conditions decline when there is less water because of tributary flow variations and cyclic climate variations. The low water period has been extended in rivers of the Lakes Valley over the last 20 years.As a result, the water level of Lake Buuntsagaan has dropped and Lakes Taastsiin Tsagaan, Orog and Ulaan have dried up.
This takes up 20.4 percent of Mongolia, including the rivers Selenge and Khuremtei, with tributaries the Ider, Delgermurun, Eg and Shishkhed.
Selenge River
This begins at the confluence of the rivers Delger Murun and Ider and is the main tributary of Lake Baigali, Russia. The Selenge, running for 1,024 kilometres, drains 425,245 square km, of which 282,050 square km (66 per cent) is in Mongolia.
Orkhon River
This is the biggest right bank tributary of the Selenge, draining 132,855 square km. It occupies 47 per cent of the Selenge river basin. At 1,124 km long, it is Mongolia's longest river, sourced at the northwest of Khangai Mountain. Mongolia's biggest waterfall, Ulaan Tsutgalan, is situated there. The Tuul and Kharaa rivers drain into the Orkhon. The Pacific Ocean basin major rivers are the Onon, Ulz, Khalkh and Kherlen, tributaries of the Amar river. The total length of rivers with permanent flow is about 2,000km; add rivers with irregular growth and the total length is about 8,000km.
Pacific Ocean Basin
The Onon river runs from the hot mineral springs of the Khentii mountains, draining 94,010 square km. Its total length is 808km, of which 298km are in Mongolia, originating from the river Shilca, a tributary of the Onon and Amar rivers. The Onon flows through mountainous forested areas.
Kherlen River
The Kherlen is sourced from the south of a mountain in the Khentii range, 1,750 metres above sea level. It flows east then south and joins Lake Dalai in China. The Kherlen is 1,264km, 1,090km of which is in Mongolia, at first through densely forested mountains, then east to the wooded steppe.
Ulz River
This has its source in mountains on the east of the Khentii range, and flows between the Onon and Kherlen rivers. It drains into Russia's Lake Tooroi.
Khalkh River
This river flows from the Ikh Khyangan mountains and branches into two near Lake Buir. The left branch drains into Lake Buir and the right into the Orshuun river. The Khalkh is 233km long and drains 30,465 square km, of which 12,775 square km are in Mongolia.
Central Asian Inland Basin
Bulgan River
The Bulgan, Uench and Bodonch rivers, which start in the southern face of the Mongol Altai Mountains, are part of the blind Central Asian drainage basin. This includes the Buyant, Khovd, Tsenkher, Sagsai, Sogoog and tributary rivers, which rise in the north of the Mongol Altai Mountains.
Khovd River
The Khovd is sourced in the north of the Mongol Altai Mountains and runs into Lakes Khoton and Khorgon. Running for 593km, its largest tributaries are the Tsagaan Khovd and Khar Khovd.
Zavkhan River
This runs from the southern face of Otgontenger Mountain, the highest peak of the Khangai range. It first flows from the confluence of the Buyant and Shar Us rivers. The Zavkhan flows on the west of the Khangai Mountain into Lake Airag, which is connected to Lake Khyargas. It runs 808 kilometers and provides most of the tributary flow into Lake Khyargas.
Biggest Lakes
Lakes are a significant geographical feature in Mongolia. The mineral and chemical mixture of the lakes depends mainly on geological formation of surface and underground water and physical and geographical conditions of drainage areas. The mineral and the chemical compounds are determined by the lake salt balance, water exchange and outside flow.
Lake Khar-Us
This lake lies at 1,157 meters above sea level, with an area of 1,852 square kilometers, 72 kilometers long, 27km wide and only four meters deep. This fresh water lake has few minerals (180-330 milligram's/ liter in winter, 110-260 milligram's/ liter in summer).
Lake Terkhiin Tsagaan
The lake is 206 meters above sea level, covering 61 square km. It is 16km long, with a shoreline of six km and an average depth of six meters. This fresh soft water lake has low mineralization, varying between 160-210 milligram's/ liter in winter and 100-180 milligram's/ liter in summer.
Lake Buir
The area of its water plane is 615 square km, its length is 40km, its width is 21km and its maximum depth is 10.5 meters. This is a soft and fresh water lake.
Lake Khyargas
The area of its water plane is 1,407 square km. The salt and alkaline water is highly mineralized (1,000 milligrammes/litre), and these minerals and salt ions are unstable. The Khyargas has no outflow. The direct influences of lakes of the Central Asian blind drainage basin on the ecosystem are relatively few. Ecological conditions decline when there is less water because of tributary flow variations and cyclic climate variations. The low water period has been extended in rivers of the Lakes Valley over the last 20 years.As a result, the water level of Lake Buuntsagaan has dropped and Lakes Taastsiin Tsagaan, Orog and Ulaan have dried up.
TSAGAAN SAR
The New Year festival according to the lunar calendar is called Tsagaan Sar, meaning 'White Moon'. This is a big family celebration with various ceremonies lasting three days. Tsagaan Sar customs are centuries old and it is the most widely celebrated holiday. Tsagaan Sar normally falls on the first day of spring by lunar calendar. This is January or February by the Gregorian calendar, depending on the phases of the moon. Celebration of the lunar New Year's Eve is called 'bituun', and in the evening every family prepares a big meal and lots of fresh food to have a feast. A big wrestling match is broadcasted live throughout the country. People ride their best horses during this holiday, prepare new clothes in advance, and wear the most elegant ones. Homes are cleaned up thoroughly on the eve. In the morning of a New Year, a housewife offers the first cup of tea to gods. After the sunrise, people start to greet each other. They stretch their arms and the youngsters support the elbows of the seniors. Elder people wish a long and happy life to the young. While exchanging snuff bottles in greeting, people usually talk about how they passed the winter.
Tsagaan Sar Holiday is the time to pay visits to relatives, exchange gifts, share the news and eat a lot. Guests are welcomed warmly and are served with tea and food. In addition to food, hosts give a present to visitors and sweets to children. Mongolians attach a great significance to the first day of a New Year; people exercise religious practices called 'Khiymorio sergeekh' for good fortune. Mongols cherish this holiday and try to do as many good deeds as possible in order to bring good luck and prosperity to their households.
Tsagaan Sar Holiday is the time to pay visits to relatives, exchange gifts, share the news and eat a lot. Guests are welcomed warmly and are served with tea and food. In addition to food, hosts give a present to visitors and sweets to children. Mongolians attach a great significance to the first day of a New Year; people exercise religious practices called 'Khiymorio sergeekh' for good fortune. Mongols cherish this holiday and try to do as many good deeds as possible in order to bring good luck and prosperity to their households.
NATIONAL FOOD AND DRINKS
There are five main kinds of animals in Mongolia, affectionately called five-pointed star by Mongols: horse, cattle, camel, sheep and goat. Meat, especially beef and mutton, is a primary source of nutrients and it is consumed in large quantities during the winter and spring.
Dairy products are main products for summer and autumn. People in countryside use very little vegetables and fruits; normally their diet consists of meat, rice and some dough. Use caution when having a true Mongolian meal, since the dishes are very heavy and can cause significant problems for an untrained stomach. Following is the most popular dishes and beverages in Mongolian cuisine:
Boiled meat: Very easy meal. Boil beef or mutton until done. Add salt. Side dishes: potatoes, carrots and dough.
Buuz: This kind of steamed dumpling is normally prepared on big holidays. It is all meat inside, except for some minced onions.
Khuushuur: Deep-fried dumplings, an analog of the McDonalds in US as most popular fast food.
Boodog: The bones of a sheep or marmot are removed through mouth. Skin and meat are left intact. Prepare red-hot stones and insert them inside the body.
Khorkhog: Curved pieces of a sheep are placed in a metal bucket filed with water. Later red-hot stones are thrown in water. Both the broth and meat are consumed.
Gedes: An interesting kind of meat dish, which is prepared from the internal organs of slaughtered cattle and wild animals.
Borts: Beef, mutton or camel meat are dried in sun and wind and preserved for a long period
Tsagan-ide (white food): A collective name for a variety of dairy products, such as urum, tarag (yogurt), aarts (sour cottage cheese), aaruul (dried sweet curd), byaslag (cheese), eezgii (dry curds) and eedem (similar to cheese).
Mongolian tea: made with milk and salt it is appreciated and loved by everyone and makes an essential part of the daily diet. Over centuries of tea drinking in Mongolia, lots of brewing recipes were made have appeared. You can tell where you are in Mongolia just by drinking tea.
Airag: Fermented mare's milk. It is a beverage of choice in summer and autumn seasons. It is kept in bag made of cow's skin or in a wooden vessel.
Shimiin Arkhi: Traditional vodka, distilled from airag, about 25% in alcohol content.
Dairy products are main products for summer and autumn. People in countryside use very little vegetables and fruits; normally their diet consists of meat, rice and some dough. Use caution when having a true Mongolian meal, since the dishes are very heavy and can cause significant problems for an untrained stomach. Following is the most popular dishes and beverages in Mongolian cuisine:
Boiled meat: Very easy meal. Boil beef or mutton until done. Add salt. Side dishes: potatoes, carrots and dough.
Buuz: This kind of steamed dumpling is normally prepared on big holidays. It is all meat inside, except for some minced onions.
Khuushuur: Deep-fried dumplings, an analog of the McDonalds in US as most popular fast food.
Boodog: The bones of a sheep or marmot are removed through mouth. Skin and meat are left intact. Prepare red-hot stones and insert them inside the body.
Khorkhog: Curved pieces of a sheep are placed in a metal bucket filed with water. Later red-hot stones are thrown in water. Both the broth and meat are consumed.
Gedes: An interesting kind of meat dish, which is prepared from the internal organs of slaughtered cattle and wild animals.
Borts: Beef, mutton or camel meat are dried in sun and wind and preserved for a long period
Tsagan-ide (white food): A collective name for a variety of dairy products, such as urum, tarag (yogurt), aarts (sour cottage cheese), aaruul (dried sweet curd), byaslag (cheese), eezgii (dry curds) and eedem (similar to cheese).
Mongolian tea: made with milk and salt it is appreciated and loved by everyone and makes an essential part of the daily diet. Over centuries of tea drinking in Mongolia, lots of brewing recipes were made have appeared. You can tell where you are in Mongolia just by drinking tea.
Airag: Fermented mare's milk. It is a beverage of choice in summer and autumn seasons. It is kept in bag made of cow's skin or in a wooden vessel.
Shimiin Arkhi: Traditional vodka, distilled from airag, about 25% in alcohol content.
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