Ulaanbaatar to Beijing via Zamyn Uud: Bye Mongolia
August 19, 2012
Our journey back to Beijing was much easier and shorter. This time we made our way back on train-bus-flight.
Departed Ulaanbaatar on Saturday 8pm
Arrived Beijing on Sunday 6.30pm
Total time taken: 22.5 hours
Total cost: 34,300 tugrik + 50 yuan + S$86.07 = S$137.19
Leg 1: Train from Ulaanbaatar to Zamyn Uud
Total time: 12 hours
Total cost: 34,300 tugrik pp
We wanted to avoid getting in and out of the vehicle to get our passports stamped but could not get on the international train from Ulaanbaatar to Erlian so we had to pass by Zamyn Uud again. We had purchased our train tickets to Zamyn Uud on the same day we first arrived in Ulaanbaatar. The process was quite frustrating as we wasted so much time waiting at the yellow International Railway Ticketing Office for nothing and had to go back to the train station again to queue. No angry mob or bruises this time. As expected, the train was quite full and we were in a four berth cabin again.
Leg 2: Bus from Mongolia Zamyn Uud to Inner Mongolia Erlian
Total time: 4.5-5 hours
Total cost: 50 yuan pp
The bus we took had an aggressive "middle man" who could speak Chinese and Mongolian. He shouted at all of us to pay up and coordinated with customs clearance. Majority of the passengers were men from China with tons of baggage. Some of them don't have a visa. Some don't even have passport! :O
Arrived Beijing on Sunday 6.30pm
Total time taken: 22.5 hours
Total cost: 34,300 tugrik + 50 yuan + S$86.07 = S$137.19
Leg 1: Train from Ulaanbaatar to Zamyn Uud
Total time: 12 hours
Total cost: 34,300 tugrik pp
We wanted to avoid getting in and out of the vehicle to get our passports stamped but could not get on the international train from Ulaanbaatar to Erlian so we had to pass by Zamyn Uud again. We had purchased our train tickets to Zamyn Uud on the same day we first arrived in Ulaanbaatar. The process was quite frustrating as we wasted so much time waiting at the yellow International Railway Ticketing Office for nothing and had to go back to the train station again to queue. No angry mob or bruises this time. As expected, the train was quite full and we were in a four berth cabin again.
Leg 2: Bus from Mongolia Zamyn Uud to Inner Mongolia Erlian
Total time: 4.5-5 hours
Total cost: 50 yuan pp
The bus we took had an aggressive "middle man" who could speak Chinese and Mongolian. He shouted at all of us to pay up and coordinated with customs clearance. Majority of the passengers were men from China with tons of baggage. Some of them don't have a visa. Some don't even have passport! :O
你们是哪里人?
(沉默)
韩国人?
(摇头)
那18个人行李一大堆在后面 管你大包儿小包 一人加20！来！一人70！
把钱拿出来！
谁没签证？数一下！7个！
那7个先过去！
还有那4个没护照 一人100 帮你们签个字 要不你自己跟海关说 最多罚你200 还有谁？快说不然我不管了哦
我们是最后一辆车 今天车特别多 12点才能过关！
下车下车！全下车 把行李拿下去！
It took us 4.5-5 hours to get over to the other side...
Leg 3: Flight from Inner Mongolia Erlian to Beijing
Total time: 1 hr 20 mins
Total cost: S$86.07pp
We had booked this domestic flight online via eLong in Singapore. The only cafe in Erlian airport might as well convert to a vending machine - no hot food only cold drinks, not allowed to take a seat if you never buy anything. It was a delight Beijing Capital Airlines serve sandwiches and mineral water on this flight! Dropped our packs at BCIA's left luggage, hopped onto the airport express again, so looking forward to have a feast on our last night in Beijing!
(沉默)
韩国人?
(摇头)
那18个人行李一大堆在后面 管你大包儿小包 一人加20！来！一人70！
把钱拿出来！
谁没签证？数一下！7个！
那7个先过去！
还有那4个没护照 一人100 帮你们签个字 要不你自己跟海关说 最多罚你200 还有谁？快说不然我不管了哦
我们是最后一辆车 今天车特别多 12点才能过关！
下车下车！全下车 把行李拿下去！
It took us 4.5-5 hours to get over to the other side...
Leg 3: Flight from Inner Mongolia Erlian to Beijing
Total time: 1 hr 20 mins
Total cost: S$86.07pp
We had booked this domestic flight online via eLong in Singapore. The only cafe in Erlian airport might as well convert to a vending machine - no hot food only cold drinks, not allowed to take a seat if you never buy anything. It was a delight Beijing Capital Airlines serve sandwiches and mineral water on this flight! Dropped our packs at BCIA's left luggage, hopped onto the airport express again, so looking forward to have a feast on our last night in Beijing!
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