Ordos鄂尔多斯

Overview

Ordos in southwestern Inner Mongolia means 'many palaces' in Mongolian. Genghis Khan Mausoleum is located here as the most sacred worship site of the Mongolian people. Kubuqi Desert showcases magnificent desert scenery, and the singing sand phenomenon of Xiangshawan is famous. Ordos is also China's important energy base with rich coal and natural gas. Kangbashi New District rose from the desert, transforming from 'ghost city' to a vibrant city. Intangible cultural heritage like Ordos wedding and Manhan folk songs reveals unique ethnic culture.

Key Facts

Top Attractions

Genghis Khan Mausoleum

Cenotaph of Genghis Khan, founder of the Mongol Empire, guarded by Darkhat people for generations, the most sacred Mongolian worship site

Xiangshawan (Resonant Sand Bay)

Wonder in Kubuqi Desert where dunes produce roaring sounds when sliding, combining desert entertainment and resort leisure

Ordos Grassland

Typical desert grassland landscape with scattered yurt clusters, watch Nadam competitions and Ordos wedding performances

Ordos Museum

Kangbashi landmark with copper-colored exterior resembling bedrock, showcasing Ordos history, culture and natural resources

Kangbashi New District

Modern city rising from the desert, spectacular square sculptures, unique urban planning, known as 'city built in the desert'

Food & Snacks

Ordos Hand-Grabbed Mutton

Made from Arbas white cashmere goat meat of Ordos grassland, boiled in clear water, incredibly tender, dipped in garlic-vinegar sauce

Mutton Offal Soup

Hearty soup with sheep head meat, heart, liver and lungs, seasoned with chili and cilantro, savory and warming, a local breakfast specialty

Suan Zhou (Sour Porridge)

Traditional sour porridge made from fermented broomcorn millet, appetizingly sour, served with pickled vegetables and chili oil, unique flavor

Laodanzi (Milk Curd Snack)

Traditional Mongolian dairy snack, yogurt boiled to paste and dried, sweet-sour and crispy, a herdsman's hospitality treat

Festivals & Events

World & Intangible Heritage

• Ordos Wedding Ceremony (2006) — Mongolia's most grand traditional wedding ceremony with elaborate procedures including greeting, fire worship, and tent unveiling, full of ethnic character
• Manhan Folk Song (2008) — Folk songs blending Mongolian and Han culture, Mongolian melodies with Chinese lyrics, high-pitched and melodious, a living fossil of cultural fusion

Practical Tips