Ordos, Inner Mongolia

The Mausoleum of Genghis Khan, located on the Ordos Grassland in Ejin Horo Banner approximately 50 kilometres south of central Ordos, serves as the principal memorial and spiritual centre for the Mongol Empire's founder. Though not his actual burial site—which remains unknown—the complex has functioned as a place of worship since the 15th century and houses symbolic relics, cenotaphs, and historical displays.

The site consists of three main halls featuring traditional Mongolian architecture with white walls and golden roofs. The Main Hall contains a four-metre marble statue of Genghis Khan and displays mapping the Yuan Dynasty's territory. The East and West Halls are dedicated to family members and exhibits on Mongol military and administrative history. The mausoleum remains an active religious site, particularly during the Darhan Festival when traditional offerings are made according to centuries-old ritual practice.

Visitors can reach the mausoleum by taxi or private car from Kangbashi District in 40-50 minutes. The site combines well with visits to nearby Xiangshawan in the Kubuqi Desert. Allow 2-3 hours for a complete visit. English signage is limited, and hiring a Mandarin-speaking guide in Ordos beforehand is advisable for deeper historical context.

Read the full Mausoleum of Genghis Khan guide

Sources: Mausoleum of Genghis Khan - Wikipedia • Mausoleum of Genghis Khan - China Discovery • Genghis Khan's Mausoleum - Travel China Guide

The Kubuqi Desert stretches along the northern edge of the Ordos Plateau, forming a 400-kilometre arc that follows the Yellow River's bend. As China's seventh-largest desert, Kubuqi—meaning "string on a bow" in Mongolian—has become one of Inner Mongolia's principal desert tourism destinations. The developed resort area centres on Xiangshawan, known in English as Resonant Sand Bay, where wind-blown dunes produce a distinctive humming sound. The site lies roughly 30 kilometres from the Genghis Khan Mausoleum and serves as a base for desert activities ranging from camel riding to sand sledding.

Geography and Desert Character

Kubuqi Desert covers approximately 18,600 square kilometres, positioned between the Yellow River to the north and the Ordos Plateau proper to the south. The landscape consists of rolling sand dunes interspersed with areas of fixed vegetation where desertification control projects have taken hold over the past three decades. The "singing sands" phenomenon at Xiangshawan occurs when dry sand grains move across each other in specific conditions, creating low-frequency resonance audible to visitors on the dune slopes. This acoustic effect is most pronounced during dry weather with moderate wind.

The desert environment is continental and arid, with significant temperature variation between day and night, particularly in spring and autumn. Summer temperatures can exceed 35°C during midday, whilst winter visits bring cold but clear conditions. Spring months (March-May) can see dust storms originating from the Gobi Desert to the northwest, though these are typically brief. The Yellow River's proximity moderates some extremes and supports vegetation along its banks, creating a transition zone between desert and grassland ecosystems.

Xiangshawan (Resonant Sand Bay)

Xiangshawan developed from a relatively unvisited desert area into a large-scale tourism resort beginning in the early 2000s. The site is marketed as China's premier desert destination, with infrastructure including cable car access to the main dune ridge, accommodation facilities, and organised activity areas. The resort caters primarily to domestic tourism, with substantial crowds during Chinese national holidays and weekends from May through October. Weekday visits outside peak season offer quieter conditions.

Activities at Xiangshawan include camel trekking, sand sledding (using wooden or plastic sleds down dune faces), ATV and dune buggy rides, and zip-lining across desert valleys. The resort also features cultural performances related to Mongolian traditions, though these are staged for tourist consumption rather than authentic community events. Overnight options exist on-site in yurts and hotel-style accommodation, allowing visitors to experience sunrise and sunset over the dunes when lighting conditions are most favourable for photography.

Other Kubuqi Desert Sites

Beyond Xiangshawan, the Kubuqi Desert contains several additional tourism areas, though these are less developed and require more independent travel arrangements. Qixing Lake (Seven Star Lake) lies deeper in the desert and features a chain of small lakes surrounded by dunes—a rare desert wetland created by groundwater seepage. Access typically requires a 4WD vehicle and local guide, as roads are unpaved and navigation without GPS coordinates and local knowledge is difficult.

The Ordos Wedding Park, another desert venue, offers facilities for weddings and events set against dune backdrops, reflecting the area's growing function as a domestic tourism and special-event destination. Information in English about these secondary sites is limited; visitors interested in exploring beyond Xiangshawan should arrange logistics through Ordos-based tour operators or hotels that can provide vehicle hire and guide services.

Visiting Practicalities

Xiangshawan is located approximately 30 kilometres from the Genghis Khan Mausoleum and roughly 60-70 kilometres from Kangbashi District in central Ordos. Travel time by road is approximately one hour from Kangbashi. Private car hire or taxi is the most practical option; organised tours are available through hotels in Ordos and can include combination visits to both the mausoleum and Xiangshawan in a single day. Public bus services exist but operate on limited schedules—confirm times in advance if relying on public transport.

The resort operates year-round, though the peak season runs from May through October when weather is most favourable. Summer visits require sun protection, water, and hats; the desert environment offers little shade beyond resort buildings. Winter visits bring cold temperatures but clear visibility and far fewer crowds. Admission fees apply and vary by season; expect additional charges for activities such as cable car rides, camel treks, and motorised desert vehicles. Specific pricing and package options should be checked via official channels before travel, as these change annually.

Visitors planning to stay overnight at Xiangshawan should book accommodation in advance during peak periods (May Golden Week, October National Day holidays). Day visits from Ordos require an early start to allow sufficient time for activities; plan for at least 4-5 hours on-site. The combination of Xiangshawan and the Genghis Khan Mausoleum makes a full-day itinerary from Ordos, though the pace will be rushed. Splitting these across two days allows for a more leisurely experience.

Desertification Control Context

The Kubuqi Desert has been the site of one of China's most extensive desertification control projects since the 1990s. Government and private initiatives have planted vegetation to stabilise dunes and reduce sandstorm frequency. This environmental restoration work has changed portions of the desert landscape, with visible green corridors and tree-planting zones along roads. The tourism development at Xiangshawan is part of a broader economic strategy to provide livelihoods for local communities whilst managing desert expansion. Visitors interested in this environmental dimension can observe the contrast between stabilised and active dune areas, though detailed interpretation in English is limited.

Sources: Kubuqi Desert - China Discovery • Xiangshawan - Wikipedia • Kubuqi Desert Guide - China Xian Tour

Kangbashi District represents one of the most ambitious—and controversial—urban planning projects in modern China. Built largely from scratch beginning in the early 2000s, this new administrative centre for Ordos municipality gained international attention as a "ghost city" when vast districts of completed buildings stood mostly empty through the 2010s. Designed by international and Chinese architectural firms to house one million residents, Kangbashi features wide boulevards, monumental civic buildings, and planned green spaces that reflect the confidence and capital generated by Ordos' coal-driven economic boom. Population has grown substantially since the early 2010s, though the area retains a notably spacious and under-utilised character compared to typical Chinese cities.

Background and Development

Kangbashi was conceived during the early 2000s as a replacement for the older, more crowded city centre at Dongsheng, located 25 kilometres to the south. The decision to build an entirely new district reflected both the municipality's extraordinary wealth from coal mining and natural gas extraction, and Chinese urban planning practice favouring large-scale new development over incremental renovation. Construction accelerated from 2004 onwards, with the district formally established as Ordos' political and cultural centre in 2006.

By 2010, Kangbashi had completed billions of yuan worth of infrastructure including apartment blocks, government buildings, museums, sports facilities, and a motor racing circuit. However, population growth lagged dramatically behind projections. Foreign media coverage in the early 2010s depicted Kangbashi as a symbol of Chinese over-investment and speculative excess—a city built for residents who never arrived. Photographs of empty streets and unoccupied tower blocks circulated widely. By the mid-2010s, however, population began increasing as government offices relocated staff, property prices adjusted downward, and infrastructure matured. Current estimates suggest the district now houses several hundred thousand residents, though exact figures are difficult to verify and densities remain far below original targets.

Architectural Highlights

Kangbashi's built environment reflects ambitious architectural commissions and a willingness to engage international design practices. The Ordos Museum, designed by Beijing-based MAD Architects and completed in 2011, stands as the district's most recognisable structure. The building's abstract, sculptural form—described variously as resembling a meteorite or geological fragment—uses bronze-coloured metal cladding and minimal openings to create a monolithic presence in the civic plaza. The museum houses exhibits on regional history, Mongolian culture, and local archaeology, though descriptions are primarily in Mandarin with limited English interpretation.

The district also features the Ordos Grand Theatre and the Ordos Library, both designed with contemporary architectural language emphasising scale and geometric clarity. Genghis Khan Square forms a central public space with ceremonial landscaping and a large statue of the Mongol leader. The width of boulevards and the spacing between buildings creates an urban character markedly different from traditional Chinese cities—visitors accustomed to dense, walkable urban cores will find Kangbashi's scale disorienting. Distances between points of interest are substantial, and the urban form privileges vehicle circulation over pedestrian movement.

Ordos International Circuit

The Ordos International Circuit, located in Kangbashi, was completed in 2010 as part of the district's ambition to host international motorsport events. Designed by German circuit architect Hermann Tilke, the track layout was shaped to resemble a galloping horse when viewed from above—a nod to Mongolian equestrian culture. The circuit hosted touring car championships and formula racing events in the early 2010s, though international-level racing has been infrequent in recent years. The facility remains operational for domestic motorsport and corporate events, though public access and event schedules should be confirmed locally as these vary by season.

Visiting Kangbashi

Kangbashi functions as the administrative heart of Ordos municipality, meaning visitors interested in government services, major cultural institutions, or seeing the architectural result of China's urbanisation push will find the district relevant. However, the area offers limited traditional tourist attractions or street-level urban vitality. The museum warrants a visit for those interested in regional history or contemporary Chinese architecture; expect to spend 1-2 hours there. Walking between sites is impractical due to scale—taxi services are readily available and inexpensive given low traffic density.

The district's "ghost city" reputation, whilst exaggerated by mid-2010s media coverage, remains partially accurate. Visitors will encounter wide, quiet streets and numerous buildings that appear under-occupied, particularly in peripheral residential zones. This creates an eerie, post-apocalyptic aesthetic that some find fascinating and others simply empty. The contrast between the ambition of the infrastructure and the reality of the population provides a tangible illustration of Chinese urbanisation challenges and the risks of speculative development driven by resource wealth.

Accommodation options in Kangbashi include several chain hotels and business-oriented properties. These serve primarily government travellers and business visitors rather than tourists. Dining options exist but lack the density and variety of older Chinese cities. The district's value for most visitors lies in its role as a case study in urban planning and as a base for trips to the Genghis Khan Mausoleum and Kubuqi Desert, both accessible within an hour's drive.

Practical Notes

Kangbashi lies approximately 25 kilometres north of Dongsheng, the historical city centre. Road connections between the two are good, with taxi journeys taking 30-40 minutes depending on traffic. The district is also the most practical base for visitors arriving at Ordos Yitai Airport, which is closer to Kangbashi than to Dongsheng. Local bus services connect the two urban areas, though frequency and route information should be confirmed locally.

Visitors interested in architecture, urban planning, or contemporary China's development trajectory will find Kangbashi a useful, if sobering, destination. Those seeking conventional tourist experiences or immersive cultural environments will likely find the district sterile and underwhelming. The photographs, however, are striking—wide-angle shots of empty boulevards and monumental buildings convey the surreal quality of this place more effectively than description.

Sources: Ordos City - Wikipedia • Ordos Ghost City - CNN Style • Ordos Kangbashi Ghost City - The Dark Atlas

Ordos has established itself as China's principal cashmere production centre, earning the title "China's Cashmere Capital" in 2022. The region's cashmere industry spans the entire supply chain from raw material sourcing through to finished garments, supported by local goat herding on the surrounding grasslands and decades of textile manufacturing investment. The Erdos Group, headquartered in Ordos, ranks among China's most valuable textile brands with a valuation exceeding 180 billion yuan as of 2024, and has topped the textile and apparel industry rankings for 18 consecutive years.

Industry Scale and Products

Ordos-based cashmere enterprises produce approximately 10 million varied cashmere products annually, alongside 2,500 metric tonnes of cashmere yarn and 2,000 tonnes of dehaired cashmere. Products include coats, sweaters, scarves, gloves, socks, and intermediate goods such as yarn and fabric supplied to manufacturers elsewhere in China and internationally. The city hosts 56 cashmere brands, including the flagship Erdos brand and others such as Dongda and Mongolian King. High-end sub-brands like "1436" and "Erdos 1980" target premium domestic and international markets.

The cashmere originates primarily from goats raised on the Ordos grasslands and surrounding pastoral areas of Inner Mongolia. "Albas Cashmere" has been registered as a geographical indication trademark, establishing Ordos cashmere as a regionally defined product with specific quality associations. The local climate and grassland ecology produce cashmere fibre characteristics valued in textile manufacturing, though exact technical specifications vary by producer.

Visitor Relevance

For travellers, the cashmere industry translates into shopping opportunities for cashmere garments and textiles at prices often lower than those in Beijing, Shanghai, or international markets. Retail outlets for Erdos Group brands and other local manufacturers operate in Kangbashi and Dongsheng districts, though specific shop locations and opening hours should be confirmed locally. Factory outlets and wholesale centres exist but may not be oriented toward individual retail customers or non-Mandarin speakers. Visitors interested in purchasing cashmere should verify product quality and authenticity, as mislabelling and blended products (cashmere mixed with other fibres) are not unknown in Chinese textile retail.

The industry also shapes the regional economy and employment patterns, contributing to the distinct character of Ordos beyond its coal and natural gas foundations. However, there are no major cashmere museums, factory tours marketed to tourists, or other visitor-facing infrastructure that would make this a primary attraction in the conventional sense. Those with specific interest in textile manufacturing or supply chain logistics may find the concentration of cashmere production noteworthy, but casual visitors are unlikely to encounter this industry beyond retail shops.

Context and Limitations

Information in English about specific shopping locations, product ranges, and pricing remains limited. Visitors planning cashmere purchases should arrive with realistic expectations about language barriers and the need to navigate Chinese retail environments independently or with local assistance. Quality and pricing vary significantly across brands and outlets; factory seconds and overstock may offer value, but caveat emptor applies.

Sources: Ordos Cashmere Industry - China Daily • Ordos Cashmere Capital - China Daily Regional • Ordos Global Cashmere Industry - China Daily