Mongolia

Since 1990, Mongolia has been successfully transitioning into a parliamentary democracy. Economic reforms continue, although the country’s development will depend on considerable infrastructure investment, particularly in the mining, energy, transportation, and communication sectors. Read the Department of State’s Fact Sheet on Mongolia for additional information on U.S. – Mongolia relations.

Transportation

TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: Driving in Mongolia can be extremely difficult due to poorly maintained streets, broken traffic lights, poor street lighting, a shortage of traffic signs, unskilled drivers, and wandering pedestrians. Unpaved roads are common outside the capital, and street lights are rare. Driving outside of Ulaanbaatar after dark is unsafe. For specific information concerning Mongolian drivers’ permits, vehicle inspection, road tax and mandatory insurance, contact the Embassy of Mongolia at 2833 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20007, telephone (202) 333-7117.

Metered taxis are common in Ulaanbaatar. There are a few car rental companies, but safety and maintenance standards vary, so you should use rental vehicles with caution. Local tourist companies can provide cars with drivers. Public transportation within the capital is widespread, cheap, and generally reliable, but it is also extremely crowded, so pickpocketing can occur.

During the winter holiday season there tends to be an increase in intoxicated persons on the streets and a spike in drunk drivers. December tends to be a very dangerous month on the roads in Mongolia, with the highest number of traffic fatalities occurring at the end of the month.

Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information. We also suggest that you visit the website of Mongolia's National Tourist Center and national authority responsible for road safety.

AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: As there is no direct commercial air service to the United States by carriers registered in Mongolia, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed the government of Mongolia’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards. Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page.

Safety and Security

Political protests and street demonstrations occur occasionally in Ulaanbaatar. Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence. U.S. citizens should avoid areas of demonstrations, and exercise caution if in the vicinity of any large gatherings, protests, or demonstrations.

To stay connected:

• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program so we can keep you up to date with important safety and security announcements.
• Follow the Bureau of Consular Affairs on Twitter and Facebook.
• Bookmark the Bureau of Consular Affairs website, which contains the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts as well as the Worldwide Caution.
• Follow the U.S. Embassy in Ulaanbaatar on Twitter and visiting the Embassy’s website.
• In the event of an emergency, contact us at 1-888-407-4747 toll-free within the United States and Canada, or via a regular toll line, 1-202-501-4444, from other countries.
• Take some time before traveling to consider your personal security and checking for useful tips for traveling safely abroad.

CRIME: Ulaanbaatar is relatively safe compared to cities of comparable size in the United States. However, crime in Ulaanbaatar, and throughout Mongolia, has sharply increased in recent years. Non-violent street crime such as pickpocketing and bag-snatching is most common, but violent incidents do occur regularly. The U.S. Embassy has received several recent reports of street assaults and pickpocketing incidents targeting foreigners in Ulaanbaatar, including U.S. citizens. There are reports of organized groups operating in open areas, usually after dark, that surround, grab, and choke victims in order to search their pockets. Thieves also have cut victims’ bag straps and clothing to reach wallets, cell phones, and other valuables. If you detect pickpocket attempts, you should not confront the thieves, since they may become violent. It is best not to walk alone through Ulaanbaatar after dark.

There are increasing reports of unprovoked xenophobic attacks against foreign nationals, including against U.S. citizens. Asian-Americans should exercise caution at all times when walking in the streets of Ulaanbaatar, as they may be mistaken for ethnic Chinese or Koreans and attacked. Inter-racial couples are sometimes targeted for assault. The perpetrators usually target foreign men with local women. These assaults range from organized attacks by nationalist groups to spontaneous incidents in bars.

You should be extremely cautious at these locations:

• Chinggis Khan International Airport in Ulaanbaatar: Organized groups frequently target tourists for robbery and pickpocketing at this airport.
• The State Department Store and the area around the Circus: Organized pickpocket gangs target tourists at the entries/exits/elevators of the store and in surrounding areas, along Peace Avenue, and down to the Circus.
• Naran Tuul Covered Market: Organized criminal groups target foreigners for robbery and pickpocketing. Crowded public areas, such as open-air markets, the Central Post Office, and the Gandan Monastery.

In addition, you should be alert when you using public transportation or taxis. There have been several reports of foreigners being robbed and/or assaulted while riding in unregistered taxis. You may wish to ask your hotel, a restaurant, or store to make taxi arrangements for you. Also, you may wish to request that a native speaker write your destination address in Mongolian, since most cab drivers do not speak English. Private unmarked cars often act as taxis in Mongolia, but they are unreliable and unsafe. If you find a cab driver whom you like (English speaker, trustworthy, clean car, etc.), request his mobile phone number for future use.

Crime generally increases sharply before, during, and after the Naadam Summer Festival in July, throughout the summer tourist season, and during and after Tsagaan Sar and the Winter Festival, in January or February.

VICTIMS OF CRIME: If you or someone you know becomes the victim of a crime abroad, you should contact the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. We can:

• Replace a stolen passport.
• Help you find appropriate medical care if you are the victim of violent crime, such as assault or rape.
• Put you in contact with the police or appropriate authorities.
• Help you contact family members or friends.
• Help you understand the local criminal justice process and direct you to local attorneys, although it is important to remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime.

Ulaanbaatar does not have a dedicated tourist police unit; nor does it have any centralized reporting system. You should report allegations of criminal activity to the police district responsible for the area where the crime took place.

In Mongolia, the local equivalents to the “911” emergency line are “102” for the police department and “103” for a medical emergency.

Please see our information for victims of crime, including possible victim compensation programs in the United States. Additional information for victims of crime in Mongolia can be found on the Embassy’s website.

Detailed Crime and Safety reports are released annually by U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Diplomatic Security and are available online at the Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC)’s website.