shortest way (4x4) from Ehrenhot to Gobi
 

Hi guys,

We will be crossing from China into Mongolia (Ehrenhot) next week heading into the Gobi. Anyone knows a feasible road east - west omitting Ulaan Baatar?

Thanks and greetings,

I drove from Dalandzadgad (close to the area I think you mean by 'Gobi', with Khongoryn Els (dunes), Yolyn Am, Flaming Cliffs etc) to the coal mines at Khanbogd, through abandoned Olgii Khid (monastery), the petrified forest at Suikhent Uul and then to Sainshand.

Tracks were mostly good and I saw basically no other vehicles between Khanbogd and Sainshand, a very nice 2-3 day drive.

Of course, the beauty of Mongolia, particularly the Gobi (which covers the entire south of the country) is that you can just put your waypoints in a GPS and drive straight there, following tracks in the steppe and making your way around obstacles. You'll need to be self sufficient for a few days in terms of water, food and fuel, and will want a decent 4x4, but it's the best way to explore the country.

Good luck,

EO

google maps of suggested route
 

Hi
The above suggested route is a perfect choice.
Start from Sainshand.
Go through Khamariin Khiid (monastery)
See a story on treasure hunt near that monastery
You may want to follow the most southern route on this Google map.
(I am not sure you can access the above sites in China)

Have a greate time
Dan

Hi Dan

Cool maps - that meteor crater looks like it could be interesting, though it looks very old and to have lost some of its relief. Have you been there?

EO

meteorite craters
 

Hi EO

Thanks for your kind complement.
There are 2 craters marked on that map.

You are right about the Tavan Khar Ovoo, (Mongolian for ‘five black rocks') it lost some of it's features. It has a diameter of 1.3Km, and was researched by geologists.

I also marked an unnamed crater which I found in 2008. It is not registered in the Earth Impact Database. This crater is well preserved, and on the south side one can find colored rocks presumably remains of the meteorite.

If you are interested in Craters in Mongolia you may want to see the Schmieder 2013 research:
Schmieder, M., Seyfried, H., & Gerel, O. (2013). The circular Uneged Uul structure (East Gobi Basin, Mongolia)–Geomorphic and structural evidence for meteorite impact into an unconsolidated coarse-clastic target?. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, 64, 58-76.

Dan

Hi all,

Thanks for your replies and the great map. Finally we took a more northern road: Choir - Bayanjargalan - Ikh Gazariin Chuluu (wonderful rock formations) - Mandalgobi; a good dirt road, but finding the right track at the beginning in Choir is a little bit tricky - plenty of tracks in all directions. Then some driving around Baga Gazariin Chuluu (nice place) and Khiid Khuk Burd (very disappointing: big fence around with locked door and newly constructed picknickspots around the site). Now in Dalanzadgad (heavy rain!!!) and will be heading to the west.

Greetings,