The 3,485-kilometer border between Mongolia and Russia marks a dramatic ecological transition, where the vast, open grasslands of the Mongolian steppe give way to the dense, forested wilderness of Siberian taiga. This is a journey between two countries with a long and deeply intertwined history.
The primary crossing for you is at Altanbulag (Mongolia) and Kyakhta (Russia), located on the main highway between the capitals of Ulaanbaatar and Ulan-Ude. This is the busiest and most straightforward road crossing. For train travelers, the border is crossed at Sükhbaatar (Mongolia) and Naushki (Russia), a key stop on the Trans-Mongolian Railway.
The crossing process is generally predictable but can be slow. You should be prepared for a deliberate, multi-stage process with formal checks on both sides. The most striking part of the journey is the change in scenery. The landscape shifts from wide-open steppe to rolling hills and then to the thick forests of Siberia.
This border is steeped in history. The town of Kyakhta was once a vital trading post for tea and furs between the Russian and Chinese empires. The Soviet Union’s influence on Mongolia in the 20th century is also a key part of the story. Today, it is a peaceful frontier and a classic route for overland travelers exploring Eurasia.