World Energy Center / Introducing the points of each region! Shambhala Land sightseeing, Sainshand Station

Zamyn-Uud Station, Sainshand Station, World Energy Center

Zamyn-Uud Station
The Gobi Desert spreads from Mongolia across northern China, and the vast region covering southern Mongolia is called the Gobi. Although called a desert, great plains with sparse short grass stretch out, with forests and springs scattered here and there, and a variety of ecosystems can be seen. 11 to 15 hours by night train from Ulaanbaatar. A border town built in 1956, when the railway was laid. In Mongolian it means "door of the road". On a clear day you can even see the Chinese border town in the distance, a town like an oasis that appears in the desert. A large sand dune can be seen 80 km from Zamyn-Uud. It is a town 650 km southeast of Ulaanbaatar, near the border with China, and is the Mongolian border station of the railway linking Mongolia and China. There are tours to visit nomads nearby, and tours to visit the Chinese border town of Erenhot.

You can enjoy a tour of great value for the price. At a relatively low price you can experience the beauty and mystery of the Mongolian Gobi Desert, and also see the scenery of eastern Mongolia from a domestic train. The highlights of this tour are the largest sand dunes in Mongolia and a visit to the Buddhist temple "Khamariin Monastery", built by Danzan Ravjaa, a famous 18th-century religious noble and poet. On the train to Sainshand, we arrange one carriage for groups so that everyone can relax. Danzan Ravjaa, the living Buddha of the Gobi, had his disciples gather in the many-colored hills (near where Khamar Monastery stands) and draw up the layout for the landing of Shambhala, and also built a land for meditation practice with wooden stupas, doors and stone piles. At that place, in his holiness, he prayed to meet all his disciples in the sacred Shambhala Land, and it is said that Shambhala has now landed, and this place is known for it. So these days it is one of the most sacred places for prostrations and circumambulation.

Shambhala Land

Known to locals as Khamariin Khiid, a famous power spot in Mongolia, it is visited not only by Mongolians but also by foreigners, and can be called a holy place where energy wells up in Mongolia's East Gobi region.It is a place powerful enough to rank among the top in the countries of Asia. Spiritual travelers will certainly be excited. It was built during the Edo period (1821–1823) by the monk Danzan Ravjaa, called the 5th living Buddha of the Mongolian Gobi region.When entering, go in from the right side of the main gate, and when leaving, go out from the left side.There are places where the soil on the ground is discolored, and energy is thought to well up from there, so visitors lie down on the ground to recharge their energy.It is said to be a cave where monks long ago shut themselves away to train and meditate. The hole is just large enough for one adult to get through on all fours. It is meant to evoke the mother's birth canal, and the act of passing through to the other side is said to mean being reborn.In this way, you are purified, recharge your energy, and are reborn as a clean body.

Khamariin Monastery
Khamariin Monastery was founded in the 1820s by Danzanravjaa, a famous 19th century Mongolian educator and literary figure. The monastery was an important place of the "Red Sect" of Buddhism and a home for a harsh and noble saint in the Gobi. Danzanravjaa fought against the severe criticism in the society where he lived, class barriers that could not be broken, and gender distinctions. He worked hard to provide public education. At Khamariin Monastery he established a public school, theater, museum and library and promoted comprehensive public education.
Local people took part in the many religious activities held at the monastery. Khamar Monastery was unique in 19th-century Mongolia as a place where more respect and privilege were given to women than to men. To show this progressive attitude, Danzan Ravjaa made women's excellence into a song called "Uremjiin Chanar" (Quality of Excellence). Uremjiin Chanar is still popular today. Around the monastery, fossils of dinosaur bones, petrified wood and other rare paleontological remains can be found over a wide area. The monastery was completely destroyed by the Soviets in 1938 during the Mongolian Buddhist suppression campaign. Khamar Monastery was restored in the 1990s with the support of Zorigt Baatar, a resident of Zuunbayan, and others, and of the local order.

Black Mountain

Called the Black Mountain, a mountain that grants wishes; in Mongolian it is "Khan Bayanzurkh Khairkhan," and only men can go to the summit. Women pray toward the summit from halfway up. On reaching the summit, you pour vodka toward the sky, speak of what you want, and pray with your hands together.

Danzanravjaa Museum
The Danzan Ravjaa Museum was established in 1991 to commemorate the greatest and most unusual intellectual in Mongolian history. The museum presents Danzan Ravjaa's original artistic works and literary manuscripts, together with his books illustrating his life and work, religious items, stage costumes, personal belongings and similar objects.

MO-2008: Across Mongolia's Vast Land by Continental Train to the East Gobi Desert, 3 Days with 1 Night in a Ger
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Across Mongolia's vast land by continental train and private car to the Gobi Desert. English guide accompanies.
	Day 1	At 08:00 in the morning the English guide meets you at your local hotel. Move by private car to Sainshand Station, about 5 hours. By private car to the East Gobi. Enjoy the car trip across the great steppe. After arriving in the afternoon, sightseeing in Sainshand city. Head to the tourist ger. At night you can enjoy a sky full of stars. With luck you may see shooting stars. [Stay in a tourist ger]
	Day 2	After breakfast, visit Khamar Monastery.World Energy CenterSightseeing. Next, see dinosaur bones and the prayer cave, and visit the rocky places that ancient lamas used for meditation. Fossil-digging experience nearby. By private car to the place called the "Black Mountain", about 70 km. Then return to the ger. At 18:00 leave for Sainshand Station. On the way, watch the sunset in the desert. Then visit the Danzan Ravjaa Museum. Dinner at the restaurant at Sainshand Station. At 20:00 depart on the train for Ulaanbaatar. After dinner, head for Ulaanbaatar on the continental sleeper train. Enjoy the sleeper train trip, especially the sunset and sunrise from the window.[Overnight on the sleeper train]
	Day 3	Scheduled arrival at Ulaanbaatar Station at 07:00. After pick-up to your hotel in the city, the tour ends.
Meals	Breakfast: yes. Lunch: yes		Lunch: yes. Dinner: yes	Dinner: yes
Course code: MO-2008	1 person $770		2 people $570	3 people $505
The above itinerary and times may change locally depending on weather and traffic congestion on the day. In that case, please follow the instructions of the local staff. We appreciate your understanding. To reserve train tickets, you need to email us a copy of your passport. * Based on this itinerary, arrangements such as extending your stay or adding places to visit are also possible.

Eastern Mongolia Tour and Sainshand Tour

* Prices, times, number of services and opening hours shown are guidelines. They may change, so please ask us for the latest information.

Zamyn-Uud (border town)

Location	The southernmost part of Dornogovi Province. A town on the border with Inner Mongolia, China.
Origin	Born in 1956 with the laying of the railway
Meaning of the name	Literally "door of the road"
Across the border	Erenhot on the Chinese side (Mongolian: Erlian / Chinese: Erlianhaote)

Overview of the town

Zamyn-Uud is a border town in the far south of Dornogovi Province. It was born when the railway was laid in 1956, and its name means "door of the road". Across the border lies Erenhot on the Chinese side. Erenhot is a town in the vast Gobi Desert and belongs to the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.

At present, Zamyn-Uud is the only border facility where foreigners can enter and leave between Mongolia and China. You cannot cross the border on foot. In the past you could also cross by shared jeep, but since the COVID period only international trains and international long-distance buses are permitted (information as of December 2023. Please check the latest rules in advance).

Since democratization, free trade has become possible, and the station and trains are always crowded with people going shopping. Many Chinese goods enter Mongolia through this border. There is also a plan to create an "Erenhot–Zamyn-Uud Economic Cooperation Zone" at Zamyn-Uud and Erenhot, which, if realized, is expected to further advance industrial cooperation with China and the development of the border region.

Access

Railway

From Ulaanbaatar: train No. 276 departs daily at 16:40 and arrives at 7:20 the next morning. About 15 hours. International trains also stop at Zamyn-Uud.
Approximate fares: ordinary car 30,200, open sleeper 57,900, private compartment sleeper 86,600 tugrik.
From Erenhot: departs daily at 17:10, arrives at 17:35 (about 25 minutes). The fare is 66 yuan.
Tickets: can be bought in advance at CITS inside the station, or at the ticket office on the right across from the station.

Long-distance bus

From Ulaanbaatar: departs daily at 20:00 from the Tenger long-distance bus terminal. About 12 hours. The fare is 59,800 tugrik.
From Erenhot: from the long-distance bus terminal, one every 30 minutes daily from 9:00 to 16:00. About 1 hour 30 minutes including border crossing; the fare is 50 yuan.
Buy tickets early.

Accommodation

Jinchin (Жинчин)	Mid-range. A 3-story hotel on the south side of the station building, recognizable by its green exterior. It is lit up at night. Check-out is a late 14:00, so you can take it easy. The restaurant in the hotel is open 8:00–17:00. Rates: about 79,000 tugrik with shared toilet and shower, about 99,000 tugrik with toilet and shower.

Cautions on International Trains

In Mongolia, as in Russia, drinking alcohol on trains is apparently prohibited except in the dining car. And rather than a warning, a fine may be imposed from the first offense. There are reported cases of travelers who tried to enjoy beer or wine on a night train, had their passports held by police officers, and were released only after paying a fine and fees. Refrain from drinking in sleepers and compartments. Rules may change.

Also, as of December 2023, the international train between Ulaanbaatar and Hohhot is suspended. Because it may change depending on circumstances, please check the latest information in advance.

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