The Mausuleum of Genghis Khan, located some 50 kilometers south of the city of Dongsheng, is situated in Ordos Prefecture on the northeastern edge of the Ordos Desert, not far from the border between Ordos Prefecture - and thus Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region - and Shaanxi Province.
The present Genghis Khan's Mausoleum was built in 1954 in Ordos City, Inner Mongolia, about 185 km (around 115 miles) from Baotou City. Most people, however, believe that this mausoleum is not where he was really buried but is rather a gathering place for Mongolians to offer sacrifice to the spirit of Genghis Khan. Whether this is true or not, Genghis Khan's Mausoleum remains a sacred place with great significance for Mongolian people.
With the Mausuleum palace in its central part, the whole scenic spot is composed of the Sulede Sacrificial Altar, three districts, two pathways, and eight tourist centers. The three districts refer to the Sightseeing District for the Protection of Historic Relics, the Conservation District for Ecosystem Preservation, and the Development Restricted District of Visual Spectacles. The two pathways are the four-kilometer Sacred Pathway of Genghis Khan, from the entrance to the tomb palace, and the sixteen-kilometer sightseeing pathway surrounding Bayinchanghuo Prairie and connecting the various scenic spots. While the eight tourist centers refer to the Tourist Activity Center, the Tourist Education Center, the Sacrificial Sightseeing District, the Mongolian Folk Custom Village, the Shenquan Ecological Tourism Region, the Nadam Equestrian Sport Center, and the Hot Air Balloon Club. The Tomb of Genghis Khan is composed of three big examples of Mongolian-style architecture and several corridors. The whole scenic spot consists of six parts: the Main Hall, the Imperial Burial Palace, the Western Hall, the Eastern Hall, the Western Corridor and the Eastern Corridor. The main part of the tomb consists of the three Mongolian style halls: the Main Hall, the Imperial Burial Palace and the Western Hall. In the Main Hall, there is a big statue of Genghis Khan, which is more than five meters tall.
The main structures of the mausoleum are three grand halls, which are shaped like Mongolian yurts, and the corridors which link the three halls. In the middle is the Main Hall, which is also the Memorial Hall. In the center of this stands a white marble statue of Genghis Khan with a height of over 4 meters (around 13 feet). Behind the statue is the map of the vast territory of the Yuan Dynasty. On either side of the Main Hall are the East Hall and the West Hall. In the East Hall, coffins of one of Genghis Khan's wives and his fourth son are laid. In the West Hall, Genghis Khan's arms are exhibited. Along the corridors frescos depict the life of Genghis Khan and the great deeds of his grandson-Kubla Khan, who was as great as his grandfather.
Genghis Khan is a Mongolian hero. He reunified the chaotic Inner Mongolia prairie and led his people to be a great civilization. He made great contributions to the founding of the powerful Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) and the unification of China which enhanced greatly the interactions of the peoples of China. Due to this great feat, he was named 'Genghis Khan' by Mongolian tribes, meaning 'powerful king' in Mongolian. Today, Genghis Khan is still worshipped and remembered by his people.
Despite these many disappointments, the present-day Mausuleum of Genghis Khan is a fascinating site to visit, especially for those interested in all things Mongolian as well as those interested in all things Genghis Khan, since it offers insight into the life and times of the famed Mongol leader and his Mongol horde, from the lofty to the most mundane. The Mausuleum of Genghis Khan has been elevated to the protective status of a national cultural site.
Admission Fee: CNY 25
How to get there:
One can take the bus from Baotou to Ordos, then change to a local bus that directly services the Genghis Khan Mausoleum. This trip takes about 5 hours in all, and is a sightseeing trip in itself. An alternative option is to take a bus from Baotou in the direction of the city of Yulin, in Shaanxi Province. This bus makes a stop at Genghis Khan Mausoleum.