Holiday in Ordos

What makes Ordos special as a destination?

Ordos is located in Inner Mongolia in northern China and became world-famous as China's most famous ghost town — the new district of Kangbashi was built from 2003 for a million residents but remained nearly empty for years. Today, Kangbashi has filled with over 200,000 residents and is a fascinating example of China's urban planning ambition. The Genghis Khan Mausoleum, about 30 km south of the city, is the most important memorial for the founder of the Mongol Empire. Although the exact location of Genghis Khan's grave remains unknown, this mausoleum, built in 1956, is a significant pilgrimage site for Mongolians and an impressive architectural ensemble with three massive interconnected pavilions. The Kubuqi Desert, south of Ordos, is one of the largest sand deserts in China and offers adventures such as camel rides, sandboarding, and desert jeep tours. Notably, China has succeeded in combating desertification: over 6,000 square kilometers of the Kubuqi Desert have been afforested since the 1980s. The modern architecture of Kangbashi is a highlight in itself: the Ordos Museum (designed by the architectural firm MAD), the Ordos Art Museum, and the futuristic government buildings look like they are from a science fiction movie — a surreal backdrop in the Mongolian steppe. Ordos is also one of the richest areas in China due to its vast coal and natural gas reserves. The contrast between the city's wealth, the Mongolian nomadic culture, and the surrounding desert landscape makes Ordos one of the most unusual travel destinations in the world.