The vast territory of Mongolia is practically unpopulated - here is one of the lowest indicators of the population per square kilometer. Most of the territory is occupied by steppe and desert lands, where there is nothing to catch the eye. However, there are also magnificent lakes here, for the sake of which it is worth enduring the roads in Mongolia, about which there have already been many anecdotes.
What is the road in Mongolia
Despite the rather popular opinion that there are simply no roads in this country, this is not true. There are roads, but they are unlikely to seem familiar and convenient to a tourist who comes here. All local thoroughfares can be divided into two unequal categories: paved toll roads; numerous unpaved roads.
Paved tracks exist only on some sections of the road. First of all, this applies to the highway connecting the capital Ulan Bator and Sukhe Bator, and from there going to the Russian border. Also, asphalt was laid in large settlements and on separate sections of the routes going from Ulan Bator in other directions.
All paved roads are toll roads. However, the fare is very low, and there are few paved roads themselves. By the way, when paying for travel, you should be careful - there are frequent cases of deception with change. What the fee is charged for is not entirely clear - the quality of the coating is not very good, numerous patches flaunt everywhere.
As for the rest of the roads, they are simply directions from one point to another. They are laid in the steppe, covered with gravel, rubble or stone, and often they are simply not equipped in any way. You can find out the roads by the tracks squeezed out over many years, which run parallel to each other and converge only at the entrances to the settlement.
To say that the quality of such roadways is poor is to say nothing. The machine should be prepared as much as possible for different types of unevenness and waves. Stones flying from under the wheels add color to local trips. It is also worth noting that tracks are often knocked out by trucks with a wider wheelbase, so you should be extremely careful not to damage your car.
Local service and traffic behavior
Surprisingly, in such a small country along the roads, there are periodically not only eateries where you can eat, but also small hotels. True, one should not rely on a special quality of service, but everything will cost quite cheaply.
But it is better to take gasoline and spare parts for the car with you. Local gas stations may not have the necessary fuel at all, but tire fitting and service have been preserved here, apparently, since the times of the Soviet Union.
Drivers on the roads are not particularly puzzled by the observance of the rules, especially since it is easy to negotiate with local law enforcement officials. Fortunately, outside the cities, transport on the roads is quite rare, so it is difficult to collide with another car here. It is much easier to roll over, bumping into another dune or bumping a wheel into an unnoticed obstacle. There are more cars in the cities, but here the patrolmen act well, dexterously managing the traffic flows.
If you wish, you can go to Mongolia to enjoy the beauty of its lakes. However, it is worth choosing a car with a high cross-country ability, because local roads are such only very conditionally.
