Ordos, a prefecture-level city in southwestern Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China, is a unique blend of modern urban development, vast desert landscapes, and rich Mongolian heritage. Located approximately 200 km south of Hohhot, the regional capital, and 500 km west of Beijing, Ordos spans the Ordos Plateau, bordered by the Yellow River to the north and east. With a population of 2,153,638 as of the 2020 census (682,753 in its urban core), Ordos covers 86,752 km², making it one of Inner Mongolia’s largest cities by area. Known as the “Ghost City” for its underpopulated Kangbashi District, Ordos is also celebrated for its coal wealth, Mongolian cultural sites like the Genghis Khan Mausoleum, and natural attractions such as the Resonant Sand Bay.
Ordos occupies the Ordos Plateau, a high steppe region with diverse
topography: 60% desert and sandy land, 30% grasslands, and 10% hills and
low mountains. The Yellow River forms a U-shaped loop around the city’s
northern and eastern boundaries, supporting limited agriculture. The Mu
Us Desert and Kubuqi Desert dominate the southern and western areas,
while grasslands like the Ejin Horo Banner offer pastoral beauty. Ordos
administers two districts (Dongsheng and Kangbashi), one county (Dalad),
and six banners (Ejin Horo, Hanggin, Otog, Otog Front, Uxin, and
Jungar), encompassing 108 towns, 1,177 villages, and 208 communities.
Ordos has a cold, arid continental climate (Köppen BWk), with
extreme seasonal variations:
Summer (June–August): Hot and dry,
with temperatures averaging 22–28°C (72–82°F). July brings most of the
annual 200–300 mm precipitation, often in brief showers.
Winter
(December–February): Harsh and dry, with temperatures dropping to -15°C
to -25°C (5°F to -13°F). Snowfall is minimal, but cold winds from the
Gobi Desert are common.
Spring and Autumn: Short and transitional,
with April–May and September–October ideal for tourism. Spring dust
storms from the deserts are frequent, while autumn offers clear skies
and mild weather. Ordos’s air quality has improved due to reduced coal
mining and afforestation efforts, though dust storms and industrial
emissions remain challenges. Wetlands along the Yellow River and desert
oases support limited biodiversity.
Ordos’s history is rooted in its nomadic past and recent industrial
boom:
Prehistoric Period: The Ordos Plateau was home to the Ordos
Culture (2000–1400 BC), known for bronze artifacts and pastoralism.
Archaeological sites like the Zhukaigou Culture link the region to early
Chinese civilization.
Ancient Period: During the Warring States
Period (475–221 BC), Ordos was controlled by the Zhao state, contested
by nomadic tribes like the Xiongnu. The Qin (221–206 BC) and Han (206
BC–220 AD) dynasties built fortifications, including parts of the Great
Wall, to manage nomadic incursions.
Mongol Empire and Yuan Dynasty:
Ordos was a heartland of the Mongol Empire under Genghis Khan (13th
century), with the region serving as a base for military campaigns. The
Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368) integrated it into Mongol administration,
naming it “Ordos” (meaning “palaces” or “camps” in Mongolian).
Ming
and Qing Dynasties: The Ming Dynasty (1368–1644) fortified Ordos against
Mongol raids, while the Qing Dynasty (1644–1912) organized it into
banners like Ejin Horo. The region remained a nomadic stronghold, with
trade in livestock and furs.
Republican Era and Japanese Occupation:
In the early 20th century, Ordos was a rural area with limited
development. During the Japanese occupation (1937–1945), it was part of
the puppet state of Mengjiang, with minor resource extraction.
Post-WWII and Communist Era: Post-1949, Ordos was incorporated into
Inner Mongolia, with coal mining driving growth in the 1980s. The
discovery of vast coal reserves in Jungar and Dongsheng transformed
Ordos into one of China’s richest cities per capita by the 2000s, fueled
by the coal boom.
Modern Era: The 2008 global financial crisis and
declining coal demand led to economic challenges, with the Kangbashi
District gaining notoriety as a “ghost city” due to its low occupancy.
Since then, Ordos has diversified into renewable energy, tourism, and
cultural industries, revitalizing Kangbashi and promoting
sustainability.
Ordos’s economy is driven by coal, renewable energy, tourism, and
agriculture, leveraging its vast resources and strategic location:
Coal and Mining: Ordos holds 1/6 of China’s coal reserves, producing
600 million tons annually at its peak. The Jungar Coalfield is a
national leader, though production has slowed due to environmental
regulations. Other minerals include natural gas and rare earths.
Renewable Energy: Ordos is a hub for wind and solar power, with the
Kubuqi Desert hosting China’s largest solar farms, contributing 15% to
Inner Mongolia’s renewable energy. Wind farms in Otog Banner are
expanding rapidly.
Tourism: Cultural sites like the Genghis Khan
Mausoleum and natural attractions like Resonant Sand Bay draw 10 million
visitors annually, generating 20 billion CNY. The Naadam Festival and
desert tourism are key drivers.
Agriculture: The Yellow River valley
supports limited crops like corn, wheat, and sunflowers, while livestock
(sheep, goats, camels) dominates in banners like Ejin Horo. Cashmere and
dairy production are significant, with brands like Ordos Cashmere
gaining global recognition.
Light Industry: Factories process wool,
dairy, and chemicals, with the Ordos High-Tech Industrial Park
supporting electronics and green technologies.
Trade: Ordos’s
position on the China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor supports trade
in coal, cashmere, and agricultural goods. The Ordos Comprehensive
Bonded Zone facilitates exports.
Economic Data: In 2022, Ordos’s GDP
was 557.8 billion CNY, one of Inner Mongolia’s highest, with industry
(60%), services (30%), and agriculture (10%) as key sectors. Urban
per-capita disposable income was 45,000 CNY, reflecting significant
wealth.
Challenges: Over-reliance on coal led to economic volatility,
while desertification threatens grasslands. Air and water pollution from
mining is a concern, though renewable energy and desert reclamation
projects are mitigating these issues.
Ordos’s culture is a vibrant fusion of Mongolian nomadic traditions,
industrial wealth, and multi-ethnic influences:
Mongolian
Heritage: Mongols (15% of the population) dominate rural banners,
preserving traditions like throat singing, horse racing, and Naadam
festivals. The Genghis Khan Mausoleum is a spiritual and cultural focal
point, with rituals honoring the Mongol founder.
Industrial Identity:
Ordos’s coal wealth shapes its modern culture, with museums and
festivals celebrating its role as an energy hub. Kangbashi’s futuristic
architecture reflects its economic ambitions.
Ethnic Diversity: Han
Chinese (80%) coexist with Mongols, Hui, Manchu, and Daur minorities.
Hui communities contribute Islamic cuisine and mosques, while Manchu
traditions add historical depth.
Festivals: Key events include:
Naadam Festival (July): A Mongolian celebration with wrestling, horse
racing, and archery, held in Ejin Horo Grassland.
Genghis Khan
Mausoleum Ceremony (March–October): Features Mongolian rituals,
sacrifices, and cultural performances.
Ordos Desert Tourism Festival
(August): Showcases Resonant Sand Bay with camel races and sand
sledding.
Education: Ordos hosts Ordos Institute of Technology,
focusing on energy, agriculture, and Mongolian studies. Vocational
colleges train workers for mining, tourism, and cashmere processing.
Cuisine: Ordos’s cuisine emphasizes Mongolian and desert-adapted dishes,
including roast lamb, milk tea, cheese curds, and hand-pulled beef
noodles. Hui specialties like lamb kebabs and Han-style dumplings add
variety. Night markets, like Kangbashi Food Street, offer local snacks
and crafts.
Community: Ordos’s residents are proud of their wealth
and heritage, with parks like Kangbashi Central Park hosting social
activities like throat singing, dancing, and kite-flying.
Ordos’s attractions blend Mongolian culture, desert landscapes, and
modern urban marvels:
Genghis Khan Mausoleum:
A 4A-rated
cultural site in Ejin Horo Banner, this mausoleum is a symbolic tomb for
Genghis Khan, featuring Mongolian architecture, statues, and ritual
halls. It’s a pilgrimage site for Mongols worldwide.
Visitor Tips:
Entry ¥120; visit during ceremonies for cultural immersion.
Resonant Sand Bay (Xiangshawan):
A 4A-rated desert resort in Dalad
Banner, known for dunes that hum when disturbed. Activities include
camel rides, sand sledding, desert camps, and Mongolian performances.
Highlights: Entry ¥120; overnight stays recommended for desert sunsets.
Kangbashi District:
Ordos’s futuristic urban center, often called
a “ghost city” due to initial low occupancy. It features striking
architecture, like the Ordos Museum and Kangbashi Library, and is now a
growing cultural hub.
Access: Free to explore; visit the museum (¥50)
for local history.
Ordos Museum:
Located in Kangbashi, this
sail-shaped museum showcases Ordos’s history, from Ordos Culture bronzes
to modern coal wealth. Its exhibits on Mongolian traditions are
world-class.
Access: Free entry with ID; allocate 1–2 hours.
Ejin Horo Grassland:
A vast grassland in Ejin Horo Banner, offering
horse riding, yurt stays, and Naadam Festival activities. It’s a
cultural hub with traditional Mongolian villages.
Activities: Entry
¥60; ideal for cultural immersion.
Kubuqi Desert Ecological Park:
A reclaimed desert area in Hanggin Banner, featuring solar farms, sand
dunes, and oases. It showcases Ordos’s anti-desertification efforts and
offers eco-tourism activities.
Visitor Tips: Entry ¥80; guided tours
recommended.
Yellow River Grand Canyon:
A scenic area in
Jungar Banner along the Yellow River, with dramatic cliffs, hiking
trails, and boat tours. It’s ideal for photography and eco-tourism.
Highlights: Entry ¥50; bring binoculars for wildlife.
Ordos is a major transport hub in southwestern Inner Mongolia:
Air: Ordos Ejin Horo International Airport, 30 km from Kangbashi,
serves domestic flights to Beijing (1.5 hours), Shanghai (2.5 hours),
and Hohhot (1 hour). Shuttles and taxis connect to the city center (40
minutes, ¥30).
Rail: Ordos Railway Station and Dongsheng West Station
offer high-speed trains to Beijing (4 hours, ¥250), Hohhot (2 hours,
¥100), and Xi’an (5 hours). Regular trains serve Baotou and Yinchuan.
Road: The G65 Baomao Expressway and G18 Rongwu Expressway link Ordos to
Hohhot, Baotou, and Yinchuan. Long-distance buses from Ordos Bus
Terminal connect to regional destinations (Hohhot, 3 hours; Beijing, 8
hours).
Local Transport: Buses (¥1–2) and taxis (¥8 base fare) cover
Kangbashi and Dongsheng. Bike-sharing suits flat areas like Kangbashi.
Car rentals are recommended for rural banners.
Ordos is transforming from a coal-driven economy to a diversified,
sustainable city:
Urban Development: Kangbashi District features
futuristic architecture, wide boulevards, and modern amenities like
Wanda Plaza. Dongsheng is the commercial hub, while banners retain rural
charm.
Sustainability: Anti-desertification projects, like the Kubuqi
Desert greening, have reclaimed 6,000 km² of land. Renewable energy
(wind and solar) and water conservation reduce environmental impact.
Hospitality: Hotels range from budget chains like Jinjiang Inn
(¥100–150/night) to upscale options like Crowne Plaza Ordos
(¥500/night). Restaurants serve Mongolian hotpot, cashmere-inspired
dishes, and Hui kebabs, with Kangbashi Food Street offering street food.
Nightlife and Shopping: Kangbashi’s Central Square and Dongsheng’s
Zhongshan Road are shopping hubs, with night markets selling cashmere,
Mongolian crafts, and snacks. Bars and teahouses host throat singing and
live music.
Community Engagement: Ordos’s wealth and Mongolian
identity foster a proud community, with events like Naadam and the
Desert Tourism Festival promoting cultural and economic unity.
Best Time to Visit: Summer (June–August) for Naadam and grasslands;
autumn (September–October) for mild weather and desert scenery. Spring
suits cultural sites; winter is cold but budget-friendly.
Getting
Around: Use buses or taxis for Kangbashi and Dongsheng; rent a car for
Resonant Sand Bay or Ejin Horo. Book desert tours and yurt stays in
advance.
Cultural Etiquette: Respect Mongolian customs, like
accepting milk tea in yurts, and avoid touching sacred sites. Basic
Mandarin or Mongolian is useful; English is limited. Carry ID for museum
entry.
Packing: Light clothing for summer, layers for spring/autumn,
and heavy coats for winter. Comfortable shoes suit deserts and
grasslands; bring sunscreen, hats, and dust masks for spring.
Safety:
Ordos is safe, with low crime rates. Exercise caution during dust storms
and follow desert tour guidelines.