From Hovd Travel in Mongolia
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Bulgan Soum (Булган Сум)
Soum at a Glance
Origin of Soum Name: The soum takes its name from the Bulgan River, which is so named because of the prevalance of sable, or Bulga (Булга), in the area, which are now protected in the Bulgan River Natural Reserve in Bulgan soum.
Population Figures (Taken from 2007 Census)
Total Soum Population: 9,634 (Male Population: 4,682 / Female Population: 4,952)
Soum Center Population: 3,171
Soum Countryside Population: 6,463
Distance From Aimag Center: 425 km.
Chief Ethnic Group in Soum: Torguud (Торгууд) (Though 1 of Bulgan's 6 baghs is Kazakh)
Bulgan is Hovd’s largest soum outside of the aimag center, and is one of the largest soum centers in Mongolia. 40 km from the soum center is a major border crossing point with China, which means that many of the Chinese goods that supply western Mongolia first pass through Bulgan. It is a prosperous soum of 10,000 people that in many ways has more in common with the aimag center than it does with other soums. Bulgan is very prosperous, has its own airport, and actually has nicer roads and more trees than the aimag center. It was a major tourist destination in Summer 2008 with the Solar Eclipse being viewable as well, if not better, from Bulgan soum than anywhere else in the world. To prepare for the influx of tourists, the soum established a series of ger camps in the area. The two southwest soums of Bulgan and Uyench make for a nice sightseeing package of southern Hovd.
Getting There
By Ground
The drive to Bulgan soum follows the same road as the one to Uyench soum (to read the details of the drive between the aimag center and Uyench go here), but Bulgan is an additional hour west of Uyench. As you cross from Uyench into Bulgan the road turns from a bumpy unpaved dirt track to a smooth paved highway. This road is the first leg of the Millenium Road, which, when completed, will span the length of Hovd aimag and extend up to Russia.
By Air
Although Bulgan has an airport, there are currently no airlines flying to Bulgan soum.
Drivers
B. Byambayar (Б. Бямбабаяр), Mobile Phone-99438891. Russian Jeep. $45 per day, plus fuel. (Based in the aimag center but willing to drive to Bulgan) Urtnasan (Уртнасан) (Based in Uyench soum, but willing to come to Bulgan)
Where to Stay (Hotels)
Tavan Turuu Hotel (Таван Түрүү Зочид Буудал)
Manager Name: Ariunjargal (Ариунжаргал)
Phone Number: 99053709
Price: Lux: (3 rooms, $20 per night) / Simple Rooms: (6 rooms, $10 per bed)
Description: The Bulgan Tavan Turuu is the nicest hotel in Bulgan soum, and is also the easiest to find, on the main paved road through town. It has 3 Lux Rooms, though be aware that even though the 3 rooms all cost the same, they are not all the same size and quality, ask to see which Lux Room you’re getting beforehand. There are 6 Simple Rooms (3 have 2 beds, 1 has 4 beds, and 1 has 5 beds) that are basic but comfortable. By August 2008 every room in the hotel will have a TV in it. The bathroom for all the rooms is an outhouse in the back, and there is a hot water shower downstairs that can be accessed for 2,000T. There is a cafe/bar downstairs complete with 3 VIP Rooms. Visitors can also use a large billiards table on the second floor for 2,000T per hour. They are also planning on opening a beauty salon with massages, and an outdoor beer garden in the front.
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Bulgan Tushig Hotel (Булган Түшиг Зочид Буудал)
Manager Name: B. Amgalanbadrakh (Б. Амгаланбадрах)
Phone Number: 99430234
Price: Simple Rooms: (6 rooms, 5,000T per bed).
Description: The Bulgan Tushig has 6 Simple Rooms, and is clean and comfortable for the price. There is a shared indoor toilet, though there are also outhouses in the courtyard. Of the 6 rooms, 1 is a single, 3 rooms have 2 beds, and 2 rooms have 3 beds. There is also a café/bar on the 1st floor and a common area/lounge on the 2nd floor. Look for a banner on the side of the building that says “Tushig” on it.
Yarikh Hotel (Ярих Зочид Буудал)
Price: Simple Rooms (5 rooms, 8,000T per bed)
Manager Name: Enkhtungalag (Энхтунгалаг)
Phone Number: 99040115
Description: Named after a mountain in Bulgan soum, the Yarikh Hotel is another basic but comfortable hotel in Bulgan. The hotel underwent renovations in May 2008, and has a newly refurnished café attached to it. There are 2 rooms with 4 beds, 1 room with 3 beds, and 2 rooms with 2 beds.
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Phone Service
Mobicom Cell Phone Company operates in Bulgan soum.
Places of Interest in the Soum:
Although technically in Uyench soum, the Ovoo at Haruul (Харуул) is an impressive sight, and only about an hour outside of Bulgan soum’s center. It is strongly recommended that you see it if you are in the area.
