Hepatitis (A and B), meningococcal meningitis, rabies and plague are some of the more deadly diseases in Mongolia, so it’s best to take all necessary precautions. Get your shots before you enter the country, and once you’re there, take care of your health. Drink only bottled or boiled water, eat freshly cooked food, and stay away from any food you suspect isn’t hygienic. Also keep away from dogs, there are lots of semi-wild and wild dogs around, many of them are rabid. If you should have the misfortune of being bitten, get to a doctor as fast as you can.

It’s particularly important to take care of your health in Mongolia, because falling ill can be a real problem, in more ways than one. Health care facilities are far from adequate, especially outside Ulaanbaatar, and you’ll be required to pay cash up front. Western medicine is largely unknown, but Mongolian medicine (a combination of Indian, Chinese and Tibetan medicine, which uses herbs, plants and animal parts for remedies) is available in places. If you’re on medication, it’s wise to carry along everything you’re likely to need; furthermore, get health insurance done beforehand, including cover for evacuation to Hong Kong, if need be.

Mongolia is a fairly safe country to travel around in. Violent crime is not common, although you should beware of petty thieves and pickpockets. Make it a point to keep the bulk of your cash secure, don’t flash your money around, and keep a firm grip on your wallet or bag, when in a crowded area.  Stay away from deserted places, and don’t stay out long after dark. It’s not an unsafe country from the point of view of crime, but it’s best to take a few precautions.

Rabies Alert! One word of caution: steer clear of the dogs. There is a possibility that some could be rabid, and getting rabies is an unpleasant prospect.