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From Wikitravel

Erlian (二连; Èrlián) is a city in Inner Mongolia. It is also variously known as Ereen or Eriyen in Mongolia, and Erenhot or Erlianhaote (二连浩特; Èrliánhàotè) in China. It appears as Erlian on Chinese railway timetables, and Ereen on Monglian railway timetables.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

[edit] By train

There are trains from Beijing. The train station is on the eastern border of the town.

You can get from Zamiin-Uud in Mongolia by train on the international train from Beijing to Ulaanbaatar as described in Zamiin-Uud.

[edit] By bus

There are sleeper buses from Beijing. The long-distance bus station is nearby, about one block west and 2-3 blocks north of the train station.

You can get from Zamiin-Uud in Mongolia by bus (¥40, July 2009)

[edit] By jeep

You can get from Zamiin-Uud in Mongolia by jeep, which costs around ¥50 per person (July 2009) Russian-made jeeps driven by Mongolian drivers start at the market where Mongolians buy goods to take back to Mongolia. The same jeeps also pick up passengers at the first border checkpoint with Chinese guards if they have room. At the border a jeep will arrive every few minutes. A Chinese taxi can take you to this checkpoint for ¥5-10. The jeeps are allowed to carry 5 passengers; however, some drivers ask the Chinese guards for exceptions and carry up to 7 passengers. If taking a jeep, expect to be very crowded and to either sit on someone's lap or have someone sit on your lap. Get out of the jeep at the Chinese and Mongolian entry points and walk through. Be sure to remember which jeep is yours as they come in only two colors (grey and green) and look nearly identical to each other. Many Mongolians cross the border on a daily basis so they are familiar with the process and can help out. Many speak at least some English.

You are not allowed to walk between the Chinese and Mongolian border posts though they are within walking distance. You will need to pay a ¥5 exit tax. The whole process takes around 1 1/2 hours.

[edit] Get around

Taxis, pedicabs and rickshaws are everywhere. A taxi around town costs ¥3 flat rate (June 2009).

[edit][add listing] See

• Dinosaur Museum, (7km from the centre of Erlian).  edit

• Dinosaur (Konlongmudi). Large replicas of dinosaur skeletons  edit

• Sculpture. There is a giant at the intersection of the main roads - one running east-west from the train station, the other north-south.  edit

[edit][add listing] Do

• Erlian Grassland Tour Loop. It is possible to use Erlian as the starting point for the Erlian Grassland Tour Loop itinerary.  edit

[edit][add listing] Buy

[edit][add listing] Eat

[edit][add listing] Drink

[edit][add listing] Sleep

There are many smaller hotels around the train station costing ¥50-60 for a double.

Other hotels:

• Ruyi International Mansion. The biggest hotel in Erlian Rooms start at ¥330.  edit

[edit] Get out

[edit] Mongolian Visa

Get a Mongolian visa either from:

• CITS (when open) which costs ¥495. You drop it off at 9AM and pick up at 3PM
• The Mongolian Consulate, Open M-F 8:30AM-noon. Same day processing costs ¥465

The visa will last for 30 days. You will need one passport photo and to pay with cash. Note that the prices above apply to most, but not all nationalities. For a full list see the Embassy in China.

Directions to both from the train station: Walk straight ahead along the road that runs directly in front of the clock outside the train station until you reach the second junction. The CITS will be on the left hand corner. Turn right here, then walk straight ahead for about five minutes. When you get to Chichaer Jie you will see the beige bus station down the street on the left, but continue walking straight ahead for a about another ten minutes until you see the blue, red and yellow Mongolian flag on the left. Do not worry if it seems like you've walked a bit outside town, you are meant to! Go to the small office at the gate.