Genghis Khan's Tomb

» Erdos, Inner Mongolia

Genghis Khan's Tomb Overview & Map Weather Transportation Information

The Tomb is about 185 kilometers (around 115 miles) from Baotou City. Many people believe the hero was not really buried here, but Genghis Khan's Tomb remains a sacred place with great significance for Mongolian people. The central palace is 26 meter tall with white walls, bright red gates, blue roofs, and gold tops. Inside, there is a statue of Genghis Khan, portraits of him and his belongings.

Who is Genghis Khan

Genghis Khan (1162 - 1227) was a famous political and military figure in the Chinese history. With his unmatched talent, he built up his powerful empire reaching as far as Europe. 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.

Why buried here

An ancient legend

About 700 years ago, Genghis Khan attached Xixia and passed the Ordos Plateau. He saw that the plateau boasts rich water resources and beautiful grass. He felt very happy and was so intoxicated with the scene that he dropped his horsewhip to the ground. His attendants wanted to pick up his horsewhip but were stopped by Genghis Khan. Then he recited a poem, and said he could be buried here when he died.

In 1226, during his expedition to Xixia, Genghis Khan died of natural causes. On their way to transport his body back to Mongolia, the wheels of the cart carrying the casket got stuck in the mud and they failed to proceed. His followers then remembered Genghis Khan's will and buried him here.

"guards of the sacred mausoleum"

Five hundred nomadic families of his clan were picked to stand guard at the mausoleum, who subsequently became the special group to defend the mausoleum of the great warrior for generation after generation. They were subsequently renamed the Dalhut people, which means "guards of the sacred mausoleum" in Mongolian.

When Japanese troops invaded China in 1937, the Dalhuts moved Genghis Khan's remains to northwestern Qinghai Province and the mausoleum was abandoned. His remains did not return until 1954 when the central government of PRC rebuilt the mausoleum. Since then, the Dalhuts had a formal site selected for making grand ceremonies.

Have a look

The total area of the tomb is over 50, 000 square meters. There are such scenic spots as Central Square, Iron Horse and Golden Curtain, Euro-Asian Square, Mongolian Historical and Cultural Museum, Temporary Dwelling Palace of the Han Dynasty.

Getting around

The main structures of the tomb 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.

In the hall behind the Main Hall there are four biers covered with bright yellow satin. They are said to be the coffins of Genghis Khan and his three wives. There are also two coffins of Genghis Khan's brothers.

Enjoyment of local flavor

In addition, tourists can taste delicious Mongolian barbecue, and enjoy a Mongolian-style dance and horse performance. You can even take part in the dance, horse riding, arrow shooting, and wrestling. All these activities enhance the tourists' travel experience.

Attractions around » Erdos, Inner Mongolia

Natural Scene

• Resonant Sand Bay

Historical Site

• Genghis Khan's Tomb

Genghis Khan's Tomb Highlights

Mausoleum in Great China

• Ming Tombs
• Confucius Cemetery
• Huangdi Tomb
• Ming Xiaoling Tomb
• Eastern Qing Tombs
• Western Qing Tomb
• Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Tomb
• Royal Tombs of Western Xia Kingdom
• Zhaoling Tomb
• Genghis Khan's Tomb
• Tomb of Qin Shihuang
• Zhaoling Tomb
• Tomb of Crown Prince Yi De
• Tomb of Princess Yongtai
• Tomb of Concubine Yang
• Han Yang Ling Museum
• Qianling Tomb
• Maoling Tomb
• Imperial Tombs of the North Song Dynasty
• Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall
• Fuling Tomb
• Hairui Tomb
• Zhaojun Tomb
• Astana Tombs
• Tomb of Abakh Khoja
• Tomb of General Yue Fei
• Amannishahan Tomb
• Tomb of Prince Jingjiang

Genghis Khan's Tomb FAQ & Travelers's Tips

  Weather

1. Some tips for grassland weather there

  Food

1. What are the characteristics of local diet there?

  Travel

1. Some tips for you to have a pleasant tour
2. Wanna to ride a horse? Read this one

  Customs

1. What interesting festivals and celebrities do they have?

  Other Hints

1. What customs should we know before going there?

• Some tips for grassland weather there

  Yeah, before going there, you need to know something about the weather.

  Situated in inland area, Inner Mongolia's climate is a little bit drier, sunshine is enough, so you'd better bring the things like lipstick, sunhat, sunscreen and try to drink more water.

  The weather here changes swiftly, the temperature difference between day and night is large; and rain is always together with wind, so remember to bring long-sleeved clothes in case it is cold.

  Especially, if you come here in Oct when temperature is low in the morning and wind is strong at night, please wear warmer clothes, such as short windcoat, sweater. It is above 0C to a dozen degree in the middle of Sep. Kaput can be hired here.

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• What are the characteristics of local diet there?

  The diet of Inner Mongolia is mainly Northern cuisine, the taste is a little bit strong, but cooks in restaurants can provide you good dishes with local specialties according to tourists' taste.

  Something you need to bear in mind:

  • Never eat watermelon right after mutton in case of causing pain in your bowels;

  • Never drink milk tea, and eat watermelon and mutton at the same time, then you will feel uncomfortable by excessive gas.

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• If it is your first time on prairie tour, read this

  So, before enjoying this fabulous tour, the followings may help you have a more pleasant tour:

  1. Sunshine is strong on the grassland, so bring the things like sunscreen, sunhat, sun umbrella.

  2. Please obey the guidance of our tour guide, see flowers, grass, wild animals within safety area; never go into depth in case of dangerous animals like snakes.

  3. During the trip, please pay attention to safety on the road, never stick your head out of the moving vehicles; and take commonly used drugs in case you feel dizzy when on the meadow road, it will rock.

  4. Attention to environmental protection. After enjoying beautiful prairie scenery, please take garbage away to protect the environment.

  5. In case of falling ill on a different land, please bring the commonly used drugs like cold medicine, band-aid, heatstroke preventive, antidiarrheic, medicine for insects' biting.

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• Wanna to ride a horse? Read this one

  1. Before riding a hose, please listen to the horse trainer carefully; avoid extravagant act and gestures when approaching horses gradually from left front or it may frighten them.

  2. Before riding a horse, please make sure your dress are ready. If you want to ride a horse, you'd better choose tight clothes and shoes, like boots or sports shoes, so your ankles won't be rubbed. Please tighten your clothes, hat, and scarf before riding, in case they become loose by wind to frighten horses. Carry-on items always drop in grass, very different to find.

  3. If it is your first time to ride a horse, you'd better ask a horse trainer to lead it for you. He will tell you some basic knowledge. Never touch others' horses by your hands or feet.

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What interesting festivals and celebrities do they have?

Inner Mongolia has rich national culture; horse riding, wrestling, and archery are called "men's three skills." Also, the famous Nadam Fair is held in late July, showing the glorious culture of Mongolian song and dance, sports, athletics, clothes, food & drinks and so on.

Aobao-worshipping festival is a traditional religious activity. Mongolian people take Aobao as sacred place. Have delicious Shoupa rou (boiled mutton eaten with hands)! The mutton comes from sheep fed by fresh grass. It is easy to make, without any condiment, just a good cooking skill can make it tasty! When enjoying it, you will need nothing but your hands, Mongolian people offer Khatag when they welcome guests, give presents, visit each other on festivals.

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• What customs should we know before going there?

  As the saying goes, "Do in Rome as the Romans do."

  • There are more customs, please obey our tour guides, respect local customs and habits to have a pleasant trip.

  • Please take it serious when taking part in Aobao-worshipping festival instead of offering advices, saying this or that; never shout at or chase host's dog in front of the ger.

  • The Mongolians have been hospitable since ancient times. They welcome guests with wine but never force them to drink it; however, guests who can't drink should take the silver bowl with both hands to show your thanks.

  • Lovely livestock. Meet herd in the grassland, please don't go through the herd, instead, no matter passenger or vehicles should bypass them, to show your respect to the herdowner.

  • Offering Khatag. Khatag is a must for Mongolians to make daily manners. When offering Khatag, host sing greetings with good health and good fortune; guests should accept it a little bit bent-forwarded to let host put it on your neck. At last, guests put hands in front of chest to show your thanks.

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