Ordos

Ordos (鄂尔多斯; È'ěrduōsī) is a prefecture-level city in southwestern Inner Mongolia, located on the Ordos Plateau surrounded by a large northern bend of the Yellow River. The name derives from the Mongolian "Ordu," meaning "palace" — referring to the imperial palaces of Genghis Khan. Ordos is famous for two very different things: the Mausoleum of Genghis Khan (a major pilgrimage site for Mongols) and the spectacular Kubuqi Desert — the seventh-largest desert in China. The city experienced an enormous construction boom in the 2000s, resulting in a futuristic new city district (Kangbashi) that was famously dubbed a "ghost city" for its empty boulevards. The climate is temperate continental with cold, dry winters and warm, dry summers. Spring and autumn are ideal for visiting.

By Plane

Ordos Ejin Horo Airport (DSN IATA) has flights from Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, and Chengdu. From the airport, a taxi to Dongsheng or Kangbashi costs about ¥50–80.

By Train

Ordos Railway Station serves the Beijing–Baotou line with connections to Beijing (4–6 hours), Hohhot (2 hours), and Xi'an (5 hours). Dongsheng East Station serves high-speed trains.

By Car / Road

Ordos is on the G65 Baotou–Xi'an Expressway and the G18 Rongcheng–Wuhai Expressway. The drive from Hohhot is about 3 hours.

Ordos is spread across several districts (Dongsheng, Kangbashi, and others). Local buses connect them. Taxis start at ¥6. Didi ride-hailing is available. The Kangbashi new district is best explored by car.

• Mausoleum of Genghis Khan (Chengjisihanling): Located about 60 km south of Ordos in Ejin Horo Banner. This is the most sacred Mongol site — a complex of three yurt-shaped halls housing relics of Genghis Khan, including his saddle, sword, and bows. The site is an active place of worship for Mongols. ¥120.

• Kubuqi Desert (库布齐沙漠): The seventh-largest desert in China — a vast sea of sand dunes stretching 262 km. Key access points at Xiangshawan (Resounding Desert, ¥80) and Qixinghu (Seven Star Lake, ¥60).

• Genghis Khan Museum: Located near the mausoleum, this modern museum covers the life, conquests, and legacy of Genghis Khan. ¥60.

• Kangbashi New District: A futuristic, planned city with grand boulevards, public art, and striking modern architecture — the urban design dream (or folly) of the 2000s.

• Ordos Museum: A dramatic copper-coloured building with exhibits on Ordos culture, the Silk Road, and geology. Free.

• Desert activities in the Kubuqi: Camel riding, sand-sledding, dune buggies, and a zip-line across a lake at Xiangshawan.

• Pilgrimage to Genghis Khan's Mausoleum: The spring and autumn ceremonies are especially significant.

• Photography in Kangbashi: The empty squares and massive government buildings make for surreal photos.

• Hiking in the Kubuqi Desert: Multi-day desert treks are possible with a guide.

• Mongolian roasted lamb (kaoyang): The signature dish — a whole lamb roasted until crispy and tender.
• Ordos milk tea: Salty Mongolian milk tea with millet or rice.
• Desert sand gourd soup: A unique Kubuqi desert specialty.
• Mongolian curd (suan nai): Dried or fresh yogurt curds.
• Hand-grabbed mutton (shouba yangrou): Boiled lamb eaten with the hands.

Mongolian milk tea and airag (fermented mare's milk). Local baijiu is also popular.

• Budget: Dongsheng Youth Hostel — basic, ¥60–100/night.
• Mid-range: Ordos Dongsheng Hotel — comfortable in the old city, ¥200–350/night.
• Upscale: Genghis Khan Yurt Resort (near the mausoleum) — traditional yurt accommodation with modern amenities, ¥400–800/night.
• Desert camp: Kubuqi Desert camps offer yurt stays from ¥200–500/night.

Ordos is renowned for its cashmere products (Ordos brand cashmere is China's most famous). Desert sand art, Mongolian silver, and Genghis Khan-themed souvenirs are also good purchases.

• Baotou (100 km north, 1 hr): Wudangzhao Monastery, industrial city.
• Hohhot (250 km north, 3 hr): Capital of Inner Mongolia.
• Yinchuan (400 km southwest, 5 hr): Helan Mountain, Western Xia Tombs.
• Xi'an (600 km south, 6–8 hr by train): Terracotta Warriors.