Located 130km south of Bāotóu in the middle of absolutely nowhere is the Genghis Khan Mausoleum, China’s tribute to the great Mongol warlord. Unfortunately, old Genghis was not buried here. Instead, the mausoleum’s existence is justified by an old Mongol tradition of worshipping Genghis Khan’s personal effects, including his saddle, bow and other items. Kublai Khan established the cult and handed over care for the objects to the Darhats, a Mongol clan. Darhat elders kept the relics inside eight white tents, which could be moved in times of warfare.
In the early 1950s, the government decided to build a permanent site for the relics and constructed this impressive triple-domed building. By then, most of the relics had been lost or stolen (everything you’ll see here is a replica). But even today, some of the guards at the site still claim descent from the Darhat clan. The ¥150 ticket includes entry to a museum with information on Genghis and Monglian culture.
From Bāotóu there are hourly buses (¥41, two hours, 6.10am to 2.40pm) to Chénglíng (成陵). You’ll then have to catch a taxi (¥15) the final 7km to the mausoleum.
To move on, take a cab back to a small tourist village (with shops, hotels and restaurants) to flag down any Dōngshèng-bound bus at the roundabout. Buses should pass by regularly till about 4pm. From Dōngshèng (东胜) you can connect to Hohhot (¥65, four hours, hourly) and other regional destinations.
At the roundabout, there are also share taxis to Ejin Horo Qi (¥15 per person, 伊金霍洛旗; Yījīn Huòluò Qí), known as ‘Yī Qí’, where you can get a bus to Hohhot (¥70, 4½ hours, last bus 3pm).
