Ondorkhaan

Ondorkhaan (also spelled Öndörkhaan and Undur Khan, Mongolian: Өндөрхаан) is a city in Eastern Mongolia. It was renamed Chinggis City (Чингис) in 2013 to honor the great conqueror born in the north of the province. Government sources (including maps and buses) will generally use the new name, however Mongolians are more likely to know it by the old one, and using the old name for internet searches helps avoid the many other conflicting uses of the name "Chinggis".

Understand
Ondorkhaan is home to about 15,000 people and is the capital city of Hentii province. The area around the city has been occupied by permanent settlement since at least 1660 when a monastery was constructed where the center of the city now sits, which at one point had over 1,000 monks. However, all the monks were driven out in the 1930s and the buildings destroyed in the 1950s. Today, one of the most noticeable features of the place is the unusually large number of statues of Genghis Khan (even by Mongolian standards)

By plane
There is no functioning airport in Ondorkhaan.

By bus
Buses from Ulaanbaatar depart daily at 08:00, and perhaps at other times, from the east-bound station on Peace Ave, a few kilometers east of Suukhbaatar square. Tickets can be purchased inside the building and up the stairs, and cost 13,000 ₮ in May 2018. The drive should take 5–6 hours, including a few stops for passenger exchanges, and one rest break.

Get around
Ondorkhaan is aligned along a southwest-northeast axis, and is about 5 km long. Most travel is done by walking, but taxis are common. There is a taxi stand in front of the West Market. Also, just standing beside the road and stretching your arm will flag a taxi. The rate is 500 ₮/km.

See

 * Turkic Balbal – 7 km southwest of town (past the old airport) is a stone man from the Turkic era. Look for the blue habuks blowing in the wind. The intricacies of the stone carving and the age of the stone man are very impressive. Be sure to bring a small offering of food or money to leave at the balbal.
 * Turkic Balbal – 7 km southwest of town (past the old airport) is a stone man from the Turkic era. Look for the blue habuks blowing in the wind. The intricacies of the stone carving and the age of the stone man are very impressive. Be sure to bring a small offering of food or money to leave at the balbal.
 * Turkic Balbal – 7 km southwest of town (past the old airport) is a stone man from the Turkic era. Look for the blue habuks blowing in the wind. The intricacies of the stone carving and the age of the stone man are very impressive. Be sure to bring a small offering of food or money to leave at the balbal.
 * Turkic Balbal – 7 km southwest of town (past the old airport) is a stone man from the Turkic era. Look for the blue habuks blowing in the wind. The intricacies of the stone carving and the age of the stone man are very impressive. Be sure to bring a small offering of food or money to leave at the balbal.
 * Turkic Balbal – 7 km southwest of town (past the old airport) is a stone man from the Turkic era. Look for the blue habuks blowing in the wind. The intricacies of the stone carving and the age of the stone man are very impressive. Be sure to bring a small offering of food or money to leave at the balbal.

Buy
Ondorkhaan is home to many Buryats (or Buriyads), which is an ethnic people from Siberia. There are bootmakers in the city that make boots called "Buryats", which are known for their warmth. A typical pair will cost ~60,000 ₮. Also, there are many bakeries in Ondorkhaan that make Buryat bread, which is fluffier, lighter, and sweeter than traditional Mongolian bread. To find the bread, go into any of the supermarkets/delguurs and look for the bread section.

Budget
There are many guanzs on the main street of Ondorkhaan. The fare is typical Mongolian (hooshur or buuz). The pricing is essentially the same and the service is quick. If you are in a hurry or on a tight budget, try one of these. There are multiple guanzs on the first floor of the Ogooj (өгөөж) building. The Ogooj building is the 2-story yellow building in the center of town on the main road.

Mid-range

 * China Restaurant, is on the first floor of Hotel Negdulchin. It is an upscale restaurant that focuses on traditional Mongolian and Chinese platters. The food portions are large, so you may want to consider sharing.
 * Khangard (хангард), is the most popular upscale restaurant in town for the locals. The menu is very broad and includes many traditional dishes, along with chicken and Italian fare. A VIP room is available.
 * Och (өч), specializes in large dishes of traditional Mongolian food. The décor is very modern and clean and this restaurant stays open later than others.

Connect
As the Aimag capital and a regional hub, the town is well served by cellular towers. A visitor in May 2018 reports 5 bars HSPA+ (LTE) service on the Unitel network.

Stay safe
There are pick-pockets (including children), primarily in the markets and the main shopping district. Also, beware of drunk people and avoid them.

By car
Taxis and meekers (vans) travel daily between Ondorkhaan and all major cities (UB, Choibolsan, Baruun-Urt). The price is negotiable based upon the number of travelers, the type of vehicle, and the final destination. A taxi from Ondorkhaan to UB (small car) typically costs 30,000 to 45,000 ₮ each way. In Ondorkhaan, the taxi/meeker stand is in front of 4th school near the sports complex.

By bus
This is the most economical way to travel between Ondorkhaan and other major cities. Here is the bus schedule (as of 2011):

Ondorkhaan to Ulaanbaatar: 10,000 ₮ each way, leaves Ondorkhaan post office at 08:00 everyday, arrives in UB at 14:00, tickets purchased the day before or the morning of in the post office (center window). This bus includes stops at soums along the road, including Baganuur and Mandaltsenker. The bus stop in UB is Bayanzurk Teevrin Tovchoo, which is about 8 km east of Sukhbaatar Square.

Ondorkhaan to Bor-Undur: 8,500 ₮ each way, leaves Ondorkhaan post office at 08:00, Monday, Thursday, Saturday only, arrives in Bor-Undur at 15:00, tickets purchased the day before or the morning of in the post office (center window). This bus includes stops at soums along the way.

Ondorkhaan to Choibolsan: 15,000 ₮ each way, ask the ticket window for where and when the bus leaves (changes regularly), tickets purchased the day before or the morning of in the post office (center window). This bus includes stops at soums along the way.

Ondorkhaan to Baruun-Urt: 15,000 ₮ each way, ask the ticket window for where and when the bus leaves (changes regularly), tickets purchased the day before or the morning of in the post office (center window). This bus includes stops at soums along the way.

It is recommended to purchase tickets early the day before because the seats do fill up. Also, if the bus is full, tickets will be sold for the center aisle, which will require the rider to sit on a plastic stool in the aisle or stand for the duration of the ride.