One additional info:

For the way back (from Erlian to Beijing) also small buses, which can take about 9 to 11 passengers are also available. The ride will cost a few RMB more (maximum 40), but the driving time will be less than 8 hours and this mini-buses will not checked outside of the 5th ring, like the big buses.

In Erlian the drivers of the mini-buses will shout around for passengers, normally they will wait until the bus is filled up with people.

Exit stamp means you leave the country and enter another country (Mongolia in this case) and then come back to China. You'd need to have a visa that would be valid to enter China again.

Some people (such as me) have visas that have per-stay restrictions. So we need to leave the country every so often, and come back - all because China is working very hard to welcome foreigners to the Olympics. Otherwise, it's useless.

I need to get my exit stamp this weekend so my friend called the International Hotel where she was told you have to buy the tickets. They told her the only train going there is on Tuesdays...is this correct???

There are two long-distance bus stations, one is south 3rd ring road, another one is north 3rd ring rd. Better find someone to call and figure it out. There is a phone number to an owner of one of such buses somewhere in this message, ask someone to call him and save you a seat. Buses *can* get full.

Hi,

Many thanks for the info. about going to Mongolia. It looks like the cheapest way to leave the country and come back with a new visa.

However to be reassured I would really like to hear from a few more people that have done the trip.

So, has anyone else done this trip to Mongolia?

Any tips, comments, things to look out for?

Many thanks people!

Hi, I'm also wondering about getting a Chinese visa from Mongolia?

I have been told that in order to change my F visa to a Z visa, I need to go out of the country and get a new L or F visa (because my visa was already changed inside China once before).

Does anyone know about getting an L or F Chinese visa in Mongolia?

Well well,

I got my stamp out in China, went to Mongolia which sent me back to China.
But when i wanted to go in china, they said i didn't have a Mongolian visa, so they erased my "got out" stamp. Now I'm waiting in Erlian to get a Mongolian visa (should be ready within the day). But i still lost 1 day and 465RMB for the Mongolian visa so..

I discussed a little with the army (Chinese side), they told me they really need the Mongolian stamp to allow us back in china.. (i also learned that 30day per stay, were actually 40days since China give you another 10days to attend theses go out/in matters. So you get 1 free month every 3months (saves a trip).

If somebody who had the same problem could get through the Chinese officer I'd like to know how (I'll have to do that until September, and it's not that money efficient with the Mongolian visa to add in the end).

At least it's a "very interesting experience" for those who like adventures, but if you only speak English I don't recommend it. My Chinese really saved me in many occasions around here. I hope I'll be back in Beijing by tomorrow night

Yes i got the 30days tourist 1entry-exit visa. Took a few hours in Erlian, but I recommend asking for a 6months multiple entries in Beijing if you can. That way you'll be able to do it easily until September for example.

I heard that American actually don't need visa.
I also heard you could tell Mongolia you go there a few days for transit to another country so you don't need a visa (but maybe a train ticket?).

If any non American could get in Mongolia without visa with the "transit trick" I'd love some infos about it

In the end was an interesting trip, not that expensive either. Food was good on both side of the border (but i don't recommend staying after day time on Mongolian side, as most men get drunk and get into fight easily).

Based on the Mongolian Embassy in China's website, it looks like you would need a visa.

However, this is coming from a page that has a poll asking what you think of the site and the options are:

not bad
Cool
Terrific
The best one!
what the hell is this?

http://www.mongolembassychina.org/index.php?module=content&pid=100

Cool, thanks for sharing. Can you describe the sleeper bus? What's the layout like, etc?

Does it make stops where you can get food?

This is BS!
My gf was travelling there by using the bus, two days back. And another friend is sitting in the train, just now!

What do you mean exactly by writing:"..can't be guaranteed..."? Is this statement in respect to availability or safety?

The above information has been useful so I'm asking...

Who's ready to go?

I am considering doing the visa exit-re-entry stamp to Mongolia via Erlian at the end of the month and want to find out if anyone is in the same boat. I will not be getting a new visa just exiting then returning the same day. If anyone needs to do the same I would be more than happy to make a 36 hour "An Amazing Race" trip out of this. My other option is to fly to Korea and pay 2300rmb.

If you're interested PM me.