Train Travel and Railroad Connections within Inner-Mongolia Autonomous Region :
Special destinations within Hohhot Prefecture :
Landmarks of Ordos Prefecture :
Landmarks & Monuments of Alxa League :
Main Cities & Population Centers of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region :
History of Inner Mongolia :
Transportation & Travel connections Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region :
Economy of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region :
Ethnic Minorities of Inner Mongolia
This page was last updated on: December 29, 2011
Inner-Mongolia is the third largest of China's Five Autonomous Regions and the third largest territory within the Peoples Republic of China. In total, it comprises about 12% of the total landmass of the country.
Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region lies in the upper North and North-East of the country, straddling the border with The Republic of Mongolia and The Russian Federation. Spanning some 2.900 kilometers (1,800 Mi.) from West to East, Inner Mongolia is a very large and key territory within the Peoples Republic of China, bordering and neighboring no less than 8 Provinces of China. These
Introduction to Inner Mongolia (内蒙古 ; Öbür mongγol) Autonomous Region
Highlights, Monuments and Scenic sites of Inner Mongolia
Map of the Gobi Desert & Yellow River Flow
Satellite Image Map of the Gobi Desert Region. Map overviews North-West Xinjiang Autonomous Region, Mongolia, Inner Mongolia and North and North-Eastern China giving a Full Overview of the Gobi Deserts and Yellow River Basin. Map includes country borders, name + location of Cities and Villages (clearly visible).
China Report - Map of the Great Wall during the Ming Dynasty
Satellite image of China and North-East Asia, with a super-imposed schematic Map of the location and Path of the Great Wall as constructed during the Reign of the Ming Dynasty. Included for reference are City names, geographical features of landscape, Names and locations of Passes on the Great Wall of China.
Capital of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region - Hohhot
Population - 23,970.000 Million (2007 Estimate) and rising. Up from 20 million 67.000 in 1987 and an estimated 23 million 790,000 in 2002. Most of the population growth is caused by immigration of Han settlers to the Cities and new factories of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.
Main Rivers and Waterways of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region :
Map Great Wall China - Layers of Dynasties and Era's
A Schematic Map of China and East-Asia, with a super-imposed schematic of the various layers of the Great Wall of China.
Features Pre-Qin Dynasty Wall, Qin Dynasty Wall, Western Han Great Wall of China, the (Northern) Jin Dynasty Great Wall and finally the Ming Dynasty Great Wall as mainly remains today.
Main Features are Names and locations location of Passes on the Great Wall of China, outer layer and inner layer. Includes Shanhai Pass, Huangya Guan (Yellow Cliff) Pass, JiYunGuan Pass, Ningwu Guan Pass, Pingxin Guan, YaMen Guan Pass, Pian Guan Pass, JiaYuGuan pass, YuMen Guan Pass (Jade Gate) and Yang Guan Pass.
Further included for reference are City names, geographical features of landscape and main mountain ranges. Updates occur several times a year adding new pass locations and photo-virtual tours of Passes throughout China.
A Full and complete Map of China (PRC) identifying all Language Areas big and small in all Provinces and Autonomous Regions of China.
Map includes Turkic Languages (Uygur, Kazakh, Kirghiz, Salar & Uzbek), Mongolian Language and Sub-Divisions (Mongol, Tu, Daur and Dongxian), Tungusic Peoples (Oroqen, Evenki and Xibe) and Languages, Korean, Tajik (Tadzhik), Mon-Khmer (Kawa + Puman (or Pulang)), Hui, Uygur (Uighur), Tibeto-Bhurman Languages, Tai and Miao, Yao and She' Language Area's and Borders. Main Area's and sub-divisions of Han Languages (Northern Mandarin, Eastern Mandarin, South-Western Mandarin and Cantonese) further included. This color-coded ethno-linguistic Map (of 1967 AD) identifies at a glance most ethnic minority regions in China
Map China Ethno-Linguistic / Language Distribution China
new roads and infra-structure and so transforming under pressure from Chinese Industries moving into the region. Traditional nomadic lifestyles, already under severe threat from the desertification and larger climatic changes are pushed to the brink of extinction by the influx of a new and modern way of life. Culturally part of Mongolia more than China, and torn between two economically rising nations, the territory remains in flux.
Geographically speaking Inner Mongolia does not merely consist of endless grasslands, but knows at least 4 very distinct landscapes and regions. On the largest scale these are identified as: first the forested, hilly and swampy Hulunbuir region in north-east China's Manchuria, secondly of the mountainous Da Hinggan Region, thirdly of the Manchurian Plains and steppes of Xilin Gol and Ulanqab Leagues in the East and center, and as a fourth the huge expanses of the Gobi Desert and associated
Full Map of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and adjoining territories, including 8 Provinces of China.
The most important and largest River within the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region is the legendary Yellow River (Huang He). The Yellow River enters Inner Mongolia from the South through the narrow strip of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region and curves around deflected by the
There are however many other rivers within the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. To get a proper overview and understanding of the rivers flowing through the large, wide and diverse landscapes of the Inner Mongolia Region, they are best taken and described by region.
Traditionally one of the most important rivers in Inner Mongolia is found in the far west, in the Alxa League. The main river in this remote region, disconnected from civilization by the vast expanses of the Gobi Desert, is the Hei River. The Hei River is the main tributary of the Yellow River in these regions, flowing from the Juyan Oasis Basin (or the Hei River Delta) in the north of the Alxa League, through what has been known for a millenium as the black river (Ejin River (Chinese: 额济纳河 Ejina-he, Mongolian: Etsin-gol, Edzin-gol) to pass into the Hexi Corridor (the neck) of Gansu Province, sustaining life along the main route of the silk road along its
In history the Yellow River was an important transportation route for men and cargo, the rest of Inner Mongolia only traversable through Camel tracks and trails. Later, in the 1950's the Baolan Railway (Baotou to Lanzhou the Capital of Gansu Province) curving around the bend of the Yellow River unlocked the regions for the first time and enabled a base for the industrialization of the
Google Map : Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China. Click & Browse.
As is vividly demonstrated by the adjacent satellite night image of Eastern Asia, most of Mongolia and large parts of Inner Mongolia remain sparsely populated. Although new roads have been constructed, local environments do not sustain large populations.
Historically, towns and later cities have been founded along rivers and lakes along which led ancient trading routes and trails. Industrial cities of today's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region are found along the Yellow River.
The Largest City in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region is the industrial city of Baotou, founded along the Yellow River after the establishment of the Peoples Republic of China and the completion of the Baolan Railway. Next in size is the administrative Capital of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region,
Satellite Image Overview of Eastern Asia at Night. Clearly identifyable are the black gaps formed by the Tibetan Plateaux and Taklamakan Desert on the left, and Mongolia and Inner Mongolia in the Top Center. As can be seen, the main modern population centers in Inner Mongolia lie in a string along the Yellow River. As a comparison, only nations such as North Korea and mountainous Tajikistan are similarly dark.
Other population centers of considerable size are the city of Wuhai - an industrial center on the Yellow River just north of the Ningxia AR border, Chifeng and Tongliao, all three of which are organized as City Prefectures of Inner Mongolia AR.
Other noteworthy or strategicly located cities and towns are Ulanqab (known to the Chinese as Jining), Gurban Obo (Sonid Youqi) and Ehrenhot, Hinggan, Ulan Hot and Baicheng (situated just within Jilin Province), Nenjiang and Jiagedagi in the North-East, Hailar (also Hulunbuir) - the Capital of ethnically dominated Hulunbuir League, and Mangui and Chagan.
It should be noted that the city of Jiagedagi in the far North-East is NOT a part of Inner Mongolia in an administrative sense. Technically, it is under jurisdiction and administration of Heilongjiang Province but ethnically and culturally it is part of Mongolia and Inner Mongolia.
Due mainly to the harsh climatic zones, deserts and other environmental and natural bariers, until fairly recently, Inner Mongolia was the among the most under-developed regions in the Peoples Republic of China entire. On par with far flung western regions in Xinjiang-Uyghur Autonomous Region and the impassable heights of the Tibetan plateaux, Inner Mongolia was a very poor and sparsely populated region until at least the 2nd half of the 20Th Century. Until the advent of the Peoples Republic of China in 1949 AD, sparsely any economic development beyond the lifestyle of the nomadic herdsmen that dominated large swaths of the territory had been made.
In the first half of the 20Th century some paved roads were constructed. Among the earliest roads through Inner Mongolia was the American sponsored Stillwell Road. Later, development of railways reached explorable parts of the Inner Mongolian territories starting in some sense, a modern age in these parts.
despite Inner Mongolia’s fast-expanding economy — the growth rate has topped that of all other provinces since 2002 — and affirmative action policies that have provided tens of thousands of government jobs to ethnic Mongolians.
Authorities in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region on Friday ordered the restructuring of the region's rare earth industry in order to ensure that it will grow sustainable.
Four rare earth producers in the cities of Hohhot, Baotou and Bayannur will be merged by the state-owned Baogang Group and 31 others will be closed, the regional economy and information technology bureau said in a statement.
The move will help the Baotou-based Baogang Group become the sole rare earth producer in Inner Mongolia and ensure the industry's sustainable development, it said.
Last month, the State Council, or China's cabinet, issued a regulation ordering tougher environmental standards for the rare earth industry and punishments for rare earth companies that conduct illegal production activities.
in Inner Mongolia communities are facing a very diffirerent problem. Droughts are a devastating threat and with overgrazing, population pressures, and tree logging the province's famous lush grasslands are quickly turning into barren deserts. You'll see in these snapshots some of the reforestation efforts from locals and the Shanghai Roots and Shoots organization.
The Dominant Ethnic group within Inner Mongolia are the Han people.
In turn, the largest ethnic minority group are made up by the various tribes of Eastern and Western Mongolians, who were in the past known as the Kalkhas and the Oirats. Traditionally, the Kalkhas occupied most of Western Mongolia and parts of Xinjiang and Tibet, whereas the Oirats lived exclusively in the East. Through mutual bickering and battles they stay culturally and geographically sperate.
Today, these distinctions are far less useful, and all Mongolians are basicly huddled together as being of one ethnicity and one people. In total there are over 8 million Mongolians living withing Chines borders. They are a very important and large group, who of late have been re-asserting themselves. Inspired by a rising tide of National Pride in Mongolia, which has a booming economy based on the mining industry, and frustrated with their perceived marginalization and lack of autonomy within China, in the year 2011 a situation of unease persist throughout Inner Mongolia. Starting on May 26Th of 2011, clashes between Mongolian youth and local Government and Police have occurred in Xilin Hot and other population centers. According to sources among which the New York Times, students of Hohhot Nationality University were locked inside their gates for five days or more to prevent them from taking to the streets, mass arrests have occured and internet access from the region has been severly restricted.
On a national scale (P.R.C.) Mongolians comprise around 8 % of the population. Within the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region the percentage of ethnic Mongolians in the population is roughly 20%.
Although their numbers dwarf in comparison to the two main ethnic groups, there are however a significant number of other ethnic minorities to be found within Inner Mongolia. There are 10 in total, including the Oroqen, the Evenki (Ewenki), the Xibe, The Morin Dawa Daur (situated near Morin Dawa their homeland), the Manchu's (Nuzhen), Russians (Eluosi) and even Chaoxian (Koreans).
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A famous life giving river legendary from Silk Road history, in the 12th century The Hei or Ejin (Mongolian) River and its delta became the base of the Western Xia (Xixia) Kingdom. After having fallen under attack from the rising and advancing Mongol Empire led by Genghis Khan, and having been pushed from their precious founding Capital at Yinchuan in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, the Western Xia found temporary safety in the abundance and green of the Hei River Delta, which at the time was the location of a large lake full of fish, and surrounded by swamps and green steppes.
In the year 1917 AD, the ancient second Capital of the Western Xia Kingdom, was rediscovered by Russian explorers who traversed and mapped the regions. Known as Khara-Khoto, the ruined city was found buried in sands in what today is the Ejin Banner of the Alxa League of Inner Mongolia. The nearby legendary lake, described in the travel
A schematic Map of the pathways of the Silk Road within China with the main trading route highlighted in red. The Path of the Hei River through the Hexi Corridor to end up joining the Yellow River is clearly visible.
A schematic Map of the pathways of the Silk Road within China and Central Asia showing the sections of what would become known as the Eurasian Trade Route in Inner Mongolia.
It is clear that overtime, the Hei River and its Delta have experienced the effects of local climatic shifts and as such today's lake does no longer exists. As can be clearly be seen on Google Maps, the cluster of lakes that once lay underneath the south rim of the Tian Shan Mountains (forming the border with The Republic of Mongolia) has been overtaken by the sand dunes of the Gobi Desert.
Once the source of joy and life in otherwise barren and notoriously deadly regions, today's Hei River (Ejin Gol) and Delta are dead, the birds and fish gone and small villages which were sustained for many centuries by its waters are now mostly abandoned by their citizenry. What is left is a giant dust-bowl, which noteably, is
length. Without the Hei River and smaller waters flowing off the gletsjers atop surrounding mountain ranges life would be impossible in West Inner Mongolia as well as in the Hexi Corridor. Thus it can be said that without the Hei River, there would have been no main route of the Silk Road in these regions.
an important source for the many (yellow) dust storms and sand storms that terrorize the regions, mainly in the spring season. The Sand from the Lake-bed is blown for thousands of miles of the prevailing eastward winds, carrying the dust along to Chinese Cities. As many visiting foreign visitors have already heard, even the Capital of China, the City of Beijing is frequently covered in dust, and the Gobi Dust has become one of the environmental problems the city is notorious for.
Within the large Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, landmarks and monuments are few, and often enormous distances lie between special destinations and scenic sites. Until fairly recently sparsely populated and the domain of nomadic tribes, compared to other parts of the Peoples Republic of China there are few historic sites to be found. The few historic Monasteries that were dispersed throughout Inner Mongolia and Mongolia were sadly destroyed during the Communist Era. As a result, tourism and travel within Inner Mongolia is mainly about the wide and varying landscapes; the Gobi Desert, the Steppes and the Lakes and Marshes, and of course - the traditional culture and lifestyle of the Mongolian Nomadic Tribes.
As described, in practice, the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region can be divided into at least 5 geographically and climatically distinct zones, which helps when trying to get an understanding on which kind of attraction can be found in which region. To review all landmarks, monuments, scenic sites and special locations within the Inner Mongolia AR they are best taken administrative division, meaning they are reviewed below by Region and location.
Starting in the West of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, the Alxa League is dominated by the Gobi Desert and its landscape. In the past a domain dominated by three large life giving lakes together known as the Ejin Lake (Ejin Gol), which were situated beneath the Tian Shan mountains in the fa west corner of the territory, today's Alxa League is nearly completely arid, the Lakes dried out and the Ejin River usually without water. As a result, many villages have been abandoned, and those that are left cling to life against overwhelming ods.
The South border of the Alxa League is historically shaped by a number of mountain ranges, along- and on top of which stood the Great Wall of China.
Landscape of Sand Dunes along the Ejin River in the Gobi Desert of Alxa League, Inner Mongolia.
Due to the understandable fact that The Great Wall of China is historically regarded as a part of China rather than part of Mongolia and its culture, there are but a few offcially listed historic locations, monuments or special destinations to be found within Alxa League.
(Read more about the Great Wall of China on the southern border of Alxa League in the Section on: 'Gansu Province', and Chapters on the various cities and locations of the Great Wall of China in that Province).
The oldest and most renowned of historical site and monument of the Alxa League is found far west into the Gobi Desert near the former Ejin Lake and is the ruined city of Khara-Koto, in the 13Th Century Capital of the Western Xia Kingdom. Today's Khara-koto is a ruined site near the dying town of Heicheng (Black City).
The second historic site within the Alxa League is known as Base 20, or also the Jiuquan Space Launch Center and is a historic site directly related to the birth of the first Chinese Atomic Bomb, as well as the early development of the Chinese Balistic Missile Program. Located just across the border from Jiuquan in Gansu Province, along the Hei (Ejin) River in Alxa League, the Jiuquan SLC (Base 20) is a popular and recently opened tourist destination, which is however totally off limits to foreign visitors.
No Foreigners are allowed within a wider restricted zone, which by chance also includes the main home of one of China's smallest and most marginalized ethnic minority, the Yugur(s), a people of Tibetan origins. The ethnic village of the Yugur known as The Huangnibao Area/ JiuGuan Yugurs is located within the perimeter of the Base 20 Jiuquan SLC, and is thus cut off from the outside world. Hardly anyone knows what goes on there, nor does any foreigner ever visit.
The Ordos City Prefecture, as its name suggests is dominated by the expanses of the Ordos Desert. Contrary to what is suggested in its name, there are however no real cities in Ordos Prefecture.
The Main historic Monument within Ordos Prefecture are several sections of the Great Wall of China, dating from various era's. The oldest section in or near the Ordos desert is a Q'In Dynasty (221 BC - 206 BC) mud brick wall, remnants of which are hardly distinguishable in today's landscape but still present. However unassuming today, these are the oldest sections of The Great Wall of China available in the world.
Other sections of Wall in the Ordos Desert date to a much later Era, the Ming Dynasty (1368 AD - 1644 AD), which started the rebuilding of The Great Wall of China in this region, after a forward Army of the Mongols once beaten now re-united under the Banner of the 'Northern Yuan Dynasty', returned to the Chinese Border in the years 1451 AD - 1452 AD. After they had set up a base camp on the shores of a lake but some 60 kilometers from today's Yinchuan, they re-started their usual routine of small raids and pillaging. A return of the Mongols, especially to this vulnerable and strategic spot of grassland, raised neckhairs at Court in Beijing, creating quite the discussion of how to handle the situation.
It was temporarily resolved by the local Commander, who in 1453 AD managed to catch the Mongolians off guard, destroying their base camp and leading the remaining army into an ambush annihilating the lot of them.
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Schematic Map depicting the multiple layers of the Great Wall of circling Beijing and North and North-East China.
The bloody fate of the entire local Mongolian population provided a brief interval which allowed the building of The Great Wall of China across the Gap in the defenses. Much of what was constructed in 1453 AD and further strenghtened over time thereafter can still be found spanning from Baode - and the Old Ox bend of the Yellow River across the Mu Us Desert of North Shaanxi Province to Yulin Fortress (in Shaanxi) and from Shaanxi via Dingbian (Shaanxi) to Yanchi (Ningxia AR) and from there along the southern rim of the Ordos Desert across to Shuidong Gou just east of Yinchuan, the Capital of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. It thus formed in 1453 AD what today is the south border of the Ordos City Prefecture.
This is the main stretch of The Great Wall built in that period. It is however by no means the only section of The Great Wall of China
founded and built in that very year. No, The Great Wall continues further; it curves northward from Shuidonggou to follow the Yellow River (Huang He) to roughly the village of Lasengmiao, forming the western border of the Ordos City Prefecture.
At this point the Great Wall turns West again to run 'horizontal' for a short stretch, forming a Gap in the passes known as Juicai Gou and Dawukou, which form the North Border of the Ningxia Plain of the Yellow River (Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region) with a much more barren landscape of Inner Mongolia. Beyond the wall curves back south to follow the Helan Mountain Range down all the way to the Gansu provincial border.
The other historic Monument or attraction reachable from within the Ordos City Prefecture is the alledged Tomb constructed for the alledged body of Genghis Khan, the Great Mongolian Leader, Tribal King, General and later almost Emperor and still National Hero.
By chance the history of the Mausoleum of Genghis Khan dates back to the same year as the first construction of the Ming Era Great Wall in these parts. Although details remain sketchy, it is know that upon their return and resetllement of the Region in 1451 AD - 1452 AD, the Mongolian Tribes brought with them sacred objects and Gers (Mongolian Tent) which were supposedly related to the dead Khan. Reclaiming their land, and baptizing it in the sense of their beliefs, they first established the site, which today is known as the Mausoleum of Genghis Khan. It was founded and is still situated south of the town of Dongsheng in the Ordos Desert, technically a part of the Baotou City Prefecture.
This Mausoleum or also the 'Tomb of Genghis Khan' is a particularly interesting Museum with an intruguing story attached. That is, today the Mausoleum actually holds a corps, embalmed and mummified remains that came from elsewhere and have long been held to be the remains of Genghis. The body in the Mausoleum or Tomb was not brought here by Mongolian Tribes somewhere after the death of their Greatest leader of all Time. No, for the majority of time - for centuries in fact- it was kept in relative secrecy in nearby regions of East Tibet where it was revered at one of the most sacred Monasteries of the Yellow Hat Sect of Tibetan Buddhism.
The body held at this site in the Ordos Desert, alledgedly of the Great Genghis Khan, was only transported to Inner-Mongolia after the 'Peaceful Liberation of Tibet'. Before that time the body was preserved inside a Hall at the Kumbum Monastery, one of the Holiest Buddhist Monasteries, situated near Xining in Qinghai Province.
Find the Museum and Tomb site in the Ordos Desert outside of Dongsheng, in the southern tip of the Baotou City Prefecture.
READ MORE ABOUT THE TOMB OF GENGHIS KHAN ALSO KNOWN AS THE MAUSOLEUM OF GENGHIS KHAN IN DONGSHENG, BAOTOU PREFECTURE:' Coming Soon !!'.
A Third historic site in the Ordos Desert Prefecture is the place named Red Salt Lake, the now shrivelled and silted Lake which once provided water and grass, the two main ingredients of Mongol Military success. Once the site of Ming military victory, and a massacre of Mongolian women and children, is now but an abandoned place in the desert wilderness. Quite literally, there is nothing much there.
Special destinations within Baotou Prefecture :
Situated above the curve of the Yellow River through the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and perhaps more telling; historically a region well beyond the Ming Dynasty Great Wall of China and thus away from some sort of settled civilization, the Bayan Nur League mainly consists of an arid wilderness. Apart from its adminsitrative Capital Bayan Nur (also: Linhe) the only real urbanized area on the Yellow River, its main population centers are small agricultural type setllements.
Beyond Linhe there a few such agricultural settlements, north and beyond of which lie the Lang Shan mountains which serve to hold back the encroaching sands of the desert beyond.
There are no officially recognized historical landmarks, nor monuments to speak of in Bayan Nur League. Tourism is mainly in the form of 4 wheel drive vehicles which traverse the Gobi and Alashan Deserts.
In a more recent history, the so called Banners or production brigades in this section of China, right on the border with the Mongolian tribal lands, and worse with beyond that the Russian Army, were favored places to send political exiles. Starting as early as the 1950's and lasting well into the 1970's, Bayan Nur League was the home of a variety of 'communes', colonies of the politically condemned who were basicly there to perform slave labor for the State. Within communal villages they, the unwanted, were set a task each day. Usually, who did not work, did not eat. In the views of Mao Zedong, killing people might be a waste, since if their minds were not useful, then they could still contribute their labor to the Socialist Revolution. And so, a large part of the condemned were sent off to remote corners in order to develop land or resources.
Travel by bus out from Linhe or Baotou to visit and see the Communes. They have been dismantled in other parts of China, but within Bayan Nur and other parts of Inner Mongolia, some are still active.
Although not on any tourist itenerary, or available as a tourist tour,
Although not the Capital, the City of Baotou is by far the largest city within the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region entire. Today stretching along the Yellow River as a gritty and extended industrial town, until faily recently, it was nothing but a small town, a true backwater functioning as a remote gateway into the tribal lands of Inner Mongolia and Mongolia. At that time it was known as a or the "place with deer", and an alternate name in Chinese is "Lùchéng" (鹿城), meaning "Deer City" refering to the local marshes where deer were abundant. As late as 1923 AD, the Wulsin Expedition under auspices of the National Geographic Society, describes at as far beyond the end of the railway line, and a bustling market town on the Mongolian border, emphasizing that beyond lies the unknown.
Modern Baotou (simplified Chinese: 包头; traditional Chinese: 包頭, Mongolian: Buγutu) was essentially built only after the establishment of The Peoples Republic of China in 1949. It consists of an Eastern Urban section known as Donghe (East River) and a Western Section known as Baotou, or West Baotou. Before a walled Chinese town and mere trading station the small settlement of Baotou was turned into the main heavy industrial center situated along the Yellow River during the 1950's and 1960's drive for modernization and industrialization in China. Eversince Baotou has been one of the Coal (and Iron) cities in China, and of late it has also become the home of China's rare earth mineral industry.
Although thriving economically and home to around 1.9 million, its brief history as a city combined with its heavy industrial background leave but a few worthwhile historical sites to visit. Most are situated well outside of Town.
Baotou is also not a good place to get aquainted with the ethnic culture of the Mongolian People, as in modern times almost 90% of the cities inhabitants is of Han descent.
Baotou City, as does its twin Coal City of Datong in Northern Shanxi Province, has but one real Museum and this one certainly is worthwhile your time spent. Although described as relatively small, the Baotou Steam Locomotive Museum is one of but a few remaining in China entire. Get their early, and preferedly under frigid circumstances to get the best experience. Mind you, off season tours must be arranged by group to keep it interesting for the staff.
Take to the semi-arid desert surrounding Baotou to discover more of its history. In the vicinity there are two Monasteries to visit, as well as as a site known for centuries for its especially spectacular desert landscape.
The most popular tourist attraction of Baotou is currently the Wudang Monastery, which is situated at 67 kilometers north-east of Baotou, amounting to a whopping 2.5 hours driving from Town. Built in the year 1749 AD of the Qing Dynasty (1644 AD - 1911 AD) it is now the most important Monastery of the Yellow Hat sect of Tibetan Buddhism in these parts. Once the home of a legion of some 1200 monks, today's Monastery is active but far smaller. The main treasures of the Temple or Qing Dynasty buddhist murals and the collection of the ashes of the 7 reincarnations of its main Lama.
A second Monastery smaller and less renowned lies about halfway between Baotou and Hohhot, in the north-eastern direction. Situated at about 10 minutes walking from the main highway between the two cities it is often overlooked and rarely visited.
The third attraction and scenic site of the Baotou City Prefecture is the natural wonder knowns as "Resonant Sands Gorge" or "Sighing Sands Gorge". Conveniently located along the road to number four destination which is the Town of Dongsheng, lies a long and barren mountain gorge which has been filled to its rim with sandy dunes.
If one has never seen the sand dunes of the Gobi Desert, this is a good place to go and have a look. For centuries known as a death pit which was said to drown vicitims in its sands, today it is an official tourist destination complete with ticket offices and even a cable-ride to get to the sands. Once there, tourists are offered the option of a quad drive or a try at para-sailing. Naturally there are camels available to take you on a tour of the 90 meter sand dunes. No doubt, more ideas to amuse the visiting tourist will drift down over time.
The Fourth and last main attraction of the Baotou Prefecture is the so-called Mausoleum of Genghis Khan situated near the Town of Dongsheng due south of Baotou on a side-branch of the railway line. It is possible to travel to Dongsheng by road, railroad and since a few years airplane, but for a visit and review of the museum one has to take the bus out of Town to a virtually unidentifyable spot somewhere in the Ordos Desert (S-SW of Town). This is the former Red Salt Lake, where in 1452 AD Mongols desecending from the East Mongolian Tribes (Oirats) reclaimed their ancestral lands in the Ordos reinforcing their claims with items belonging to Genghis the Great Khan. Today, the majority of these items is preserved inside the Mausoleum, which is considered as one of the Holiest Shrines of emerging Mongolian nationalism.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE MAUSOLEUM OF GENGHIS KHAN IN: Mausoleum of Genghis Khan (in the Ordos Desert near Dongsheng, Baotou Prefecture).
Special destinations within Chifeng Prefecture :
Special destinations within Ulan Qab League :
Special destinations within Tongliao Prefecture :
Founded in the early 16Th Century by the famous Shanxi Merchant clans as a large and important trading post along the main route into Mongolia and later a military stronghold of the Qing Dynasty (1644 AD - 1911 AD), Hohhot has quite a bit more history than its nearby rival Baotou. Where there are no worthwhile sites to find within Baotou other than its Steam Train Museum, the city of Hohhot - as the Capital- is home to the Inner Mongolia Provincial Museum. The other two sites frequented by tourists are the Xiletu Zhao Temple - acclaimed for its resident 11Th reincarnation Lama- and the Town Mosque (Hohhot Chingzhen Da Si) dating to the Qing Dynasty.
Although the Cultural Revolution raged especially fiercely in Baotou and Inner Mongolia, the local Mosque was spared from total destruction. Today it is the most worthwhile Temple in the city, as the Xiletu Zhao Temple was destroyed by fire (possibly during the Cultural Revolution) and only recently rebuilt. Naturally, the Mosque also serves as the throbbing heart of the Hui Ethnic Community in the city of Hohhot most of whom work and live in the area surrounding it.
The third site of interest is the Inner Mongolia Race-track in the Xincheng District of Hohhot. As the name suggest, this horse-racing and event stadium should be considered the National Stadium of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and thus it serves as the location for the yearly occuring main event in Hohhot and Mongolia, the Nadaam. Nadaam is the Mongolian National cultural festival held each summer.
Although outside of the Nadaam festival there is usually little activity at the stadium. During the one week long Nadaam event, the Stadium becomes the Home and playground of all ethnic nomadic peoples in the regions. Pay a visit if you can, preferably between July 17Th and the beginning of August, when Nadaam brings real Mongolian nomadic families to town.
Currently the fourth site of tourist interest within the City of Hohhot is the Daqing Shan Wild Animal Zoo which combines with the Inner Mongolia Qingshaonian Ecological Park. A recent addition to the city, it is a -for China- remarkably modern zoo, teaching about animals as well as preservation of the environment.
Find the New Zoo due North of Beijiao Park and the Inner Mongolia Race-track. To get there, follow Tondao North Road, northward beyond the point where it passes underneath the G6 Jingzhang expressway (Toll Road). From there it is only a few hundred meters up the road to the main Gate.
Outside of Hohhot, in the immediate vicinity are two more Temples to visit. These are the Wusutu Zhao in the West, and the Bai Ta - White Pagoda in the East near the airport. The Wusutu Zhao, with its mix of Chinese and Tibetan architecture is the more interesting of the two, whereas the Bai Ta Temple offers a 7 Story octagonal Pagoda dating from the (Khitan) Liao Dynasty year of domination over much of northern China and little else.
The Book 'The Great Wall - the extraordinary history of China's wonder of the world', by John Man, mentions a further interesting Temple, one dedicated to the Mongol Queen known in Chinese (Han) culture as Lady Sanniangzhi and situated ' in Meidazhao, a few miles East of her home in Hohhot'. According to John Man, this Temple dated to the year 1607 AD of the Ming Dynasty supposedly is still in existence today (or was in 2006 when he visited the city). No specific location or directions to this Temple can be given at this time, however.
Apart from the above listed official tourist sights to be visited within Hohhot and regions, there is one main monument that is usually overlooked and which goes completely unmentioned in most of today's travel guides. This monument however is nothing less than the Great Wall of China itself.
Due mainly to the large size of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region comprising roughly 12% of the total landmass of The Peoples Republic of China, its dramatically varying landscapes and environments, as well as the previously under-developed nature of large parts of the region, transporatation and travel within Inner Mongolia can be arduous and complicated. Most cities and main population centers are however reachable by road, railroad and lately some by airplane.
With most of it consisting of desert and semi-desert grasslands, traditionally the main thoroughfare for transport in Western Inner Mongolia was the Yellow River, which was passable for barges between Baotou and Zhongwei as far upstream as the Qintongxia Gorge.
Other parts of the the wilderness of Inner and Outer Mongolia were only traversed by the main pathways of trading routes running south to north from China into Mongolia. Further, in the 19th and early 20th century only small roads existed here and there, the more roads the closer to civilization and the Chinese Han settlements. The wildest parts of Inner Mongolia lay in the wooded and mountainous north and in the west was the desert realm of the ordos and the Gobi Desert.
There were no railroads within Inner Mongolia until well into the 20Th Century, the turning point coming with the building of the communist Peoples Republic of China.
sands of the Gobi Desert creating the seperate geographic zone of the Ordos Desert to the east within its bend or curve. Flowing through Baotou and Hohhot City Prefectures - the main industrial centers within Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, it then curves back south to form the border between Shaanxi Province and Shanxi Province of China. The fertile and irrigated plain of the yellow river serves as the main ceter of agriculture and population within Inner Mongolia AR.
With large parts of the territory undeveloped until recently, Inner Mongolia offers an abundance of wildlife and remote places to reconnoiter. To give an idea, the region offers some 880.000 square kilometers of grassland which ranks it number one grass territory within China. Furthermore, mainly in the North and North-East, there are a 160.000 square kilometers of forested ground, the second largest forested area in the Peoples Republic and in total Inner Mongolia counts up to 7000 square kilometers of fresh water surface are, lakes and rivers.
Thus, Travel into Inner Mongolia is usually held synonymous with adventure and the great outdoors. The most popular pastimes for visitors, a horse-ride on the wild and wide Mongolian steppes, a Camel ride in the sandy expanses of the desert, or better yet: traditional Mongolian ice-fishing for those who dare come and visit in the winter months.
Map of China and Bordering Nations of Asia - Detailed Topographical View
A Geographical overview Map of China and neighboring Nations of Central, East and South-East Asia with National Borders and Capitals. Nations are Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar (Burma), Bhutan, Sikkim, Nepal, India, parts of Pakistan, parts of Afghanistan, Tajikistan, parts of Kyrgystan, parts of Kazakhstan, Eastern parts of Russia (Russian Federation), Republic of Mongolia, North Korea, South Korea, a small part of Japan, and further the South-East Asian Nations of the Philippines, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, MyanMar (Burma) and Bangladesh.
In history, Inner Mongolia has been a part of Mongolian (tribal) Territory - a nation which spawned the largest Empire in world history; the Mongolian Empire, as well as Part of the Qing Dynasty Empire (1644 AD - 1911 AD) of China. For most of known history they were sparsely traveled regions, considered inhabited by exotic barbarian tribes living outside of true civilization.
Although previously barbaric and hedon, in recent centuries the nomadic population of the regions were overwhelmingly Buddhist and many Buddhist Monasteries and Temples were spread throughout the territory.
After the founding of The Peoples Republic of China in 1949 AD, the territory making up Inner Mongolia today, remained a collection of ill defined and disputed territories situated geographically between the Republic of Mongolia (heavily under Russian (Soviet Union) Influence at the time) and the heartland of Chinese (Han) Civilization within the Provinces of the Peoples Republic of China.
Although inhabited by Mongolian Tribes, it had been predominantly under Chinese political control and influence until after the fall of the Qing Dynasty in 1911 AD. Thus, the Chinese Communist Party considered it an essential and strategic part of China, rather than a integral part of Mongolia or even the Soviet Union (C.C.C.P.).
Originally founded in 1947 AD in the North-Eastern regions of China (Hulunbuir) only, it was eventually expanded westward to include essentially (almost) all Mongolian Ethnic (minority) Communities set along the border with the Republic of Mongolia.
A its name suggests, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region is officially the main home and base of the Mongolian Ethnic Minority Community within China, and so in the eyes of today's Foreign visitors and Tourist, the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region is mainly associated with either the vast open grasslands and the nomadic lifestyle of the traditionally nomadic Mongolian Population, or with the wide and dangerous expanses and landscapes of the Gobi Desert. Many travel to parts of Inner-Mongolia to get a chance to explore the impressive landscapes, ride horses on the plains and spend a few nights in a Mongolian Ger (tent) enjoying some of the traditional Mongolian way of Life. Various corners of Inner Mongolia are renowned for their natural beauties, silk road associated history and also exotic ethnic groups and extra-ordinary wild life, the latter always under threat from climate change and advancing civilizations. Under-highlighted treasures of Inner Mongolia include sections of the first ever constructed Great Wall of China, erected during the Chi'In Dynasty (221 BC - 206 BC).
In the last decade and ongoing, the regions have seen a vast expansion of the Mining Industry as China is looking for coal and other resources to fuel its still rapidly expanding economy. The otherwise remote, sparsely populated and beforehand undeveloped regions are now unlocked by
A second River and Lake flowing through the otherwise arid expanses of the Gobi Desert is the Minqin River, which flows more easterly than the Ejin River, but in a parallel north-south direction. Dividing the Tengger Desert from the much larger Gobi Desert, the Minqin River is another lifeline in waterless regions, and a river which until recently has formed the Minqin Lakes and swamps on the border of Alxa League and (the Hexi Corridor of) Gansu Province. The Minqin River flows from Minqin Lake southward, to join the Hei River near Wuwei in Gansu Province.
Smaller than the Ejin River and Lake, the Minqin River has seen the same climatic shifts that have reduced its larger twin to dust. Although still flowing, the Minqin River still exists today, but its lake and wetlands are periodically falling dry. During many months of the year, the Minqin lake and river see no flow of water, and the communities once sustained by its waters are in crisis. Without water, the small scale agriculture and fisheries that have sustained the local population for centuries and even millennia are no longer possible. Overtaken by the desert and the advancing sand, citizens are moving out and away, trying their luck in the cities of Inner China.
Horseriders atop a 100 meter Sand Dune on the border of Ningxia AR and Inner Mongolia. A Landscape typical fof western and central Inner Mongolia. Where the Yellow River slowly creeps adjacent the desert, a vast green landscape is created which holds back the otherwise forever shiftings sands of the Gobi Desert.
Wildlife unique to the regions has died away years ago during the disastrous developmental drives of China's Communist Revolution, or is under severe threat from climatic change and habitat distruction. Serving as an important stop over for migrating birds (cranes etc) within Asia, the vital wetlands are falling from the chain on the migration route, threatening the extinsion of rare crane species.
North of the Yellow River lies the Bayan Nur League, a deserted territory made up of the Lingshan Mountains and beyond the shifting sands of the Gobi Desert. Of the few small streams that flow there the Wujia River (Wujia He) is the largest.
No rivers flow north of the Lingshan Range as they would be somethered by the endless rows of sand dunes. The Wujia He originates within the Lingshan Range and eventually ends up as a tributary to the Yellow River. The Ulansu Hai is the only lake in the region.
South of the Bend of the Yellow River lies the Ordos Desert and Ordos City Prefecture. The only river of importance is the Dustin River (Dustin Gol) which flows from the desert westward to end up joining the Yellow River (Huang He) between Huinong and Mataigou villages in the North tip of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. In history, the Dustin River provided a natural border with Mongolian (barbaric) territories from where frequent raids were launched through the Ordos desert. Eeventually, a stretch of The Great Wall of China would be constructed just to the North, today still demarkating the border between Ningxia, the land of Islamic Hui, and Inner Mongolia - realm of the Mongolian Tribes. The Great Wall of China sections in case are known today as the Jiucaikou and/or Dawukou Great Wall of China.
East of Baotou and Hohhot, beyond the reach of the Yellow River lie the two rivers of Aibag He and Xar Moron He.
Even further to the East, in Ulanqab League lie the Qagan Lake (Qagan Nur) and the Dalai Lake (Dalai Nur). Situated south of the Greater Hinggan Mountains which form the natural border with Mongolia.
Last but not least, in the Hinggan Mountains and League, and beyond in the North in Hulunbuir lie vast wooded regions, known for their swampy area's lying huge valleys between low mountains and hills.
The most important river in Da Hinggan League is the Gan River (Chinese: 甘河 Gān Hé).
The Gan river is a large tributary of the Nen River, flowing from the east flank of the Greater Khinggan Range and the east of Da Hinggang League across the territory to empty into the Nen River at Nenjiang on the border with Heilongjiang Province. On its 446 kilometer journey it passes north-eastward into Hulunbuir, after which it through both the Morin Dawa Daur and the Oroqin Autonomous Banner of the vast Hulunbuir League. In total the Gan River drains an area of over 20,000 sq. kilometers, which consist of mostly hills and plains. The Gan River basin is traditionally home to semi-nomadic Daur and Oroqen people and flows through what is considered among the roughest and wildest territories within these regions.
With a total length of 1370 kilometres (850 miles) and as the main tributary to the even larger Songhua River, the Nen River is considered the main river in Hulunbuir League, and the most North-Eastern parts of Inner Mongolia. Originating in the northernmost tip of Heilongjiang Province, the Nen River flows in the southern direction through the northern part of Heilongjiang Province and accross the border into the northeastern section of Inner Mongolia, Hulunbuir League. Effectively, it flows in a wide valley which is formed by the Greater Khinggan Mountains in the West and the Lesser Khinggan mountain range in the east. At some points the Nen River forms the natural border between Heilongjiang Province and Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. It eventually meets up with the Second Songhua River near Da'an to form the Songhua River.
Needless to say, in a mountainous and forested region with plenty of precipitation, the Nen River has many larger and smaller tributaries. Listed as such are the Gan River (甘河), the Namur or Namoer/Nemor River (讷谟尔河) - which flows for a large part of its length along the border with the Russian Federation -, the Nuomin River (诺敏河 ), the Anlun River (雅鲁河), the Wuyuer/Nuyur River, the Chuoer River, the Taoer/Chaor River (洮儿河) and finally the Huolin River (霍林河).
The river is prone to flooding, as occurred most recently in 1998, 2005 and the summer of 2010.
The Main Lake in the Hulunbuir League is the Hulun Lake, giving its name to a vast region. Around the Lake and reaching as far as the outskirts of the Town of Hailar are extensive grasslands which are regarded the most pristine in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.
Apart from the Rivers in Inner Mongolia there are various large lakes which historically sustained the green steppes and the life of the Nomadic Peoples that inhabited the regions.
Apart from the Ejin Lake and Minqin Lake, the Jartai Lake is the third important lake within the Alxa League (and West Inner Mongolia).
Schematic Overview Map North China, Inner Mongolia and Mongolia :
Taken from West to East, the first main road in Inner Mongolia are the road from Datong in Shanxi Province in the South to Ehrenhot -border town with Mongolia- in the North and from there on to the Mongolian Capital of Ulaanbataar (Republic of Mongolia). In history it was the main camel caravan and trading route from the Chinese Capital into Mongolian territories, trading among things tea, silk, ceramics, metal items and other sophisticated Chinese products for animal skins, herbs, salt and other goods. Today this is the National Highway G208.
The second historical road from Han Territory into the Mongolian lands beyond the Great Wall of China and vice versa lies only slightly to the East. It leads from the Capital of Beijing to Zhangjiakou in Hebei Province, better known as Kalgan (in Mongolian language). From Kalgan it leads northward through a 27 kilometer long mountain gorge towards the mongolian steppe plateaux and traditional Mongolian Tribal lands.
Interestingly, Zhangjiakou was for centuries a military bastion and stronghold in support of The Great Wall of China and the gorge was the invasion route chosen by invading Mongol Armies in the 12Th Century.
Today the road through Zhangjiakou (Kalgan) is an important highway thoroughfare for coal and ore trucks hauling the mineral wealth of Inner Mongolia and Mongolia down to Chinese factories for fuel and raw materials. Once the domain of camel caravans it is now the G207 national highway notoriously clogged with 1000's of dusty dump trucks.
Follow the road from Beijing to Zhangjiakou, either to head north-west and join up with G208 (Datong-Ehrenhot) through Jining, or head north and north-east along G207 to reach the city of Xilin Hot in the heart of the
Schematic geographic overview of North China, most of Inner-Mongolia, the Republic of Mongolia and relevant parts of the Russian Federation. Clearly, the main traffic artery to Mongolia leads from Beijing (Hebei Province) or Taiyuan and Datong (Shanxi Province). In Manchuria, the North-East, further connections lead to the Mongolian Capital of Ulaanbataar, or directly into Russian territory. As shown, large parts of Inner Mongolia have no large towns nor roads.
Due to the presence of the Gobi Desert to the North, the highway G207 and road ends at Xilin Hot. From Xilin Hot, further provincial roads lead in two directions. The first east to Ehrenhot (S101, followed by S309), or the other to bend north-west and curve through an ancient lake and marsh region populated with Mongolians and then back south to the City of Tongliao an throughly Chinese City in the Manchurian Plain of south-east Inner Mongolia.
A third road from Chinese territories into Inner Mongolia and beyond runs in the North-East, traversing the narrow neck that distinguishes the Xilin Gol League from the Da Hinggan League.
In history, this was the main throughfare between the Manchurian Capital of Shenyang, once the base of the emerging Qing Dynasty (1644 AD - 1911AD) , and the lands of their important allies and vasals, the Mongolians. In the 16Th century, the previously nomadic Manchu tribes emerged from Manchuria but captured much of Mongolia before taking the throne over the Han Chinese. Naturally, there was an important and well used road between their Capitals.
Today this historic route is mainly represented by the main highway G203 leading North-East out of Shenyang in Liaoning Province to head directly the city of Songyuan in Jilin Province, near Chagan Lake and along the Songhua River. This now large industrial City is situated on the border of Mongolian and other traditional tribal area's (and along the Manchurian Railway). From Songyuan the ancient route turns into National Higway G302 which runs through the Kerqin Grasslands to the City of Baicheng (Chaghanhot, which also means "white town") which today is a stronghold of Mongolian and other ethnic groups.
From Baicheng the main road reaches as far as Ulan Hot (Hinggan), the Capital of Da Hinggan League in Inner Mongolia. Although the ancient road to Mongolia continues from Ulan Hot through the Greater Hinggan Mountains to the town of Alxan, this is a minor provincial road through mountainous, wooded and sparsely populated regions. Eventually, beyond Alxan the roads are even smaller and must curve north-west around the impassable Numrug Reserve and the Buir Nur (Lake) of Inner Mongolia to head in the western direction and reach Choibalsan in the Republic of Mongolia. Few however do. The region is mainly known for its extensive horizonwide grasslands, remote tribal villages and long abandoned border region.
Few Roads within Inner Mongolia go north of Hinggan (Ulan Hot). In this far North-Western Region of China there are no historic roads or main trading routes. Before, there was only wilderness, mostly large forested regions inhabited by hunting and fishing tribes, some trading posts, and the traffic arteries of the regions were rivers and forest pathways leading down to Chinese trading settlements. Specifically the Norther tip of Inner Mongolia and the adjacent regions of Heilongjiang Province are notorious for their swampy and boggy grounds, often forming natural borders that later turned into the international borders of today.
Today the transportation situation in these remotest of regions is dramatically improved by two national highways, the G111 and the latest addition, the G301 National Highway leading to Hailar (Hulunbuir), the now unlocked Capital of Hulunbuir League which makes up the northernmost parts of Inner Mongolia. Hardly anyone travels to these parts, not many Chinese, let alone foreign travelers.
As a general note: main airports within inner Mongolia AR are reachable via Beijing Capital International Airport, Shanghai, and other large cities. Distribution to smaller local fields goes via Hohhot, the Capital of the Autonomous Region and Baotou.
The main airports within West- and Central- Inner Mongolia are Wuhai, Baotou and of course the Capital Hohhot. Recently the Ordos City Prefecture also developed its own National Airport near the administrative Capital of Dongsheng (东胜区). Reach dongsheng via Hohhot or Baotou, but also via regional airports such as Yinchuan in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region and Yulin (Regional) Airport in North Shaanxi Province. Other options may be available !
For full details read the Chapter: Transportation in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.
East of the Center of the Province lies the airport of Xilin Hot, Capital of Xilin Gol League and there are the airports of Chifeng, and Tongliao.
Flights connections, Air travel and airports within Inner Mongolia AR :
Main roads and highways within Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region :
Since their advent in China in the early years of the 20Th Century, trains have been the main mode of transportation in China, both for goods as for people. And things will likely remain that way, regardless the large expansion of airports and airtravel within China. From those early years on, a large railway network was strung across (mainly) the central regions of China serving industrial, military and other functions. However, outlying regions, mainly sparsely inhabited border regions with little commercial value remained unconnected.
As for Inner Mongolia, By the end of the reign of the Qing Dynasty (1644 AD - 1911 AD) there were no railroads in the entire region. The only railroads then available ran to the coal mines of norther Shanxi Province, from where travel into Inner Mongolia was on foot or camel or horseback.
Far to the North however, the Trans-Siberian Railway, a now renowned train route was constructed between 1891 AD and 1916 AD, connecting Irkutsk, Ulan-Ude, Chita and Khabarovsk to Vladivostok on the Sea of Japan. Later, a branch of Trans-Siberian Railway would be connected to Shenyang in Manchuria, creating the branch line of the Manchurian Railway which did not run through North-East Inner Mongolia but through traditional Han Chinese territory.
In other words, one could only reach the borders of Inner Mongolia by train. But, that was it.
This situation essentially only changed with the further industrial development of China, which occured after the establishment of The Peoples Republic of China in 1949 AD.
A newly arising a modernizing, non feudal China would have to be an industrial state, so everyone agreed within the top ranks of the leading Communist Party. Thus throughout the 1950's, China embarked on massive and perhaps overzealous effort to build factories across the Nation, creating, jobs, fueling the economy and creating a need for materials. As a result, Inner Mongolia, beforehand considered mostly a buffer region with the (unfriendly) Russian neighbors (as it had been for centuries) suddenly became a region of vital economic resources. Suddenly, a grand scheme was hatched for the development of (worthwhile) regions of Inner Mongolian territories, mostly resulting in railroads to connect with the coal and Iron resources found there.
Only later direct links with other cities in Inner Mongolia and beyond to Ulaanbataar and Irkutsk became available.
Considering this brief history, the current railroad network in Inner Mongolia, especially the routes of main lines are easier understood.
Expanding upon the then existing railroad network, and based upon historic trade routes with the northern neighbors, new railway lines were drawn in the 1950's and 60's. The first railway projects were considered vital economic projects, meaning they had to extend to the mineral riches of the Gobi Desert of (mainly) central Inner Mongolia. There were military considerations as well.
Thus, the railway that already connected Beijing and the rest of China to the Capital of Shanxi Province at Taiyuan, was extended northward to reach into Inner Mongolia via Datong and then Jining providing a first railroad into Inner Mongolia. Even today, this is an important railroad, connect from China's Capital, via Datong to Hohhot, the Capital of Inner Mongolia.
Based upon this first branch, further connections became possible.
Still full of zeal and enthusiasm from what seemed to be the succesful resurrection of a fully independent China, Chinese across the nation embarked on projects which had previously seemed impossible or to expense to try. Among these was an ambitious project which proposed to build a railroad across the Gobi Desert, connecting Hohhot and Baotou, the end of the railway in Inner Mongolia, with the Grain Fields of Ningxia and the emerging Industrial, military and logistic Capital of the West and ancient Silk Road city, Lanzhou.
Between 1953 and 1958 construction progressed, leading to the opening of a new project of National Pride, the so-called Baolan Railway. The Baolan Railway, still a major backbone of railroad network in Inner Mongolia follows the Yellow River upstream from the heavy industrial city of Baotou, providing an alternative and more efficient transport link for goods (coal, iron, minerals, ore) up and down the River and beyond the otherwise impassable desert.
Noteably, it was also the first ever railroad connection transporting Chinese people across the width of Inner-Mongolia. Many would soon go, starting a process of Han migration into Inner Mongolia that is still ongoing today. Today the Baolan Railroad remains the only railroad traversing the Western expanses of Inner-Mongolia.
The next important, and historically second railroad connection within the large Inner-Mongolia Autonomous Region matches the historic Silk- and Tea- northern trade route into Mongolia and Russia.
Historically based upon a Gentlemans agreement between the Russian and Chinese Courts, this route leads from the Chinese Capital of Beijing, via several available passes of The Great Wall of China into Inner-Mongolia and via the ancient trading post of Ehrenhot on to Ulaanbataar in Mongolia.
From Jining, the line extends directly north to extend across Inner Mongolia to the border at Ehrenhot and beyond to Ulaanbataar.
Importantly this section is the main railroad artery within Central Inner-Mongolia (Hohhot and Ulanqab Prefectures). Furthermore, having been connected from Ulaanbataar to the Russian City of Irkutsk on the Trans-Siberian railway, it is now an important international train route. Considered a main branch line in these parts, its provides the only link with Civilization for many on the Steppes of Mongolia and far flung regions beyond. Withouth the railway line, there would be no towns of the steppes. The line also served vital military functions, especially in the time of the Soviet Union (C.C.C.P.) when the railway line served as the main strategic backup for frontier military bases and the 1 million Russian troops and tanks deployed on the Chinese border in the 1960's and 70's.
Other main railroad lines within Inner Mongolia run far further to the East, again following the traditional trade routes that had already lasted over the previous millenium. This means that in the Far eastern Manchurian regions, the industrial city of Shenyang (historically: Mukden), already an important center on the Manchurian Railway (north to south branch line of the Great Trans-Siberian Railway) was further connected to Tongliao in Inner-Mongolia and Baicheng (Changanhot) in Jilin Province. Initially this provided a railroad connection from the emerging heavy Industrial Centers of the Manchurian plains along the Manchurian railway, with the raw materials needed found just beyond in the previously under-developed regions of Xilin Gol League and Da Hinggan League of Inner-Mongolia.
Only later this line was extened to lead to Hailar, a previously cut of tribal City in the grassy and forested expanses of Hulunbuir, Inner Mongolia's wildest region. Today these railroads form the main frame of the railroad network within North-Eastern parts of Inner-Mongolia.
The fourth main railway line within Inner-Mongolia should be considered the line from Qiqaha'er westwards to Hailar and from there to Chita in the Russian Federation.
Based upon the Manchurian Railway line itself, which travels from Shenyang directly north to pass through Changchun - Capital of Jilin Province, and Harbin - Capital of Heilongjiang Province to Vladivostok on the Sea of Japan, the line Qiqaha'er to Hailar and through to Chita is considered the second mian branch line of the Trans-Siberian Railway to emerge after the historic Manchurian Railway, and is thus the last pillar of the Inner Mongolian Railroad network. All other railroads are based upon these, connecting various crucial population centers and towns within the large expanses of its territory.
Read Full Details on Train Transportation in Inner Mongolia in the Section: 'Transportation in Inner Mongolia AR', or check the cities of your route for information on local railroad lines, train stations and service.
Today's transportation network within Inner Mongolia still very much reflects these bygone days. That is, there are but a few roads spanning the gap between Chinese Civilization, the Mongolian Territories and The Russian Federation beyond.
Last but not least should be noted the ever present Hui islamic ethnic group, who have large settlements within the south-west of Inner Mongolia but have spread throughout the territory. Having only two historical landmarks in the capital Hohhot , one is a Buddhist Temple, the second a Mosque.
The Minfa strictly North Korean ethnic village in the Hulunbuir League is an entirely unique and seperate case.
Although eroded down by over 2 millenia of wind and weather, fallen into disuse and faded to an unmost unrecognizable shape, the historical signficance of this border wall and monument is so large that it cannot go unmentioned.
Situated to the North- and Northwest of Hohhot are several sections of the (alledged) first ever constructed Great Wall of China; parts of the legendary Wan Li Chang Cheng - the 10.000 Li Great Wall of China built by Ch'In Shi Huangdi (Chinese: 秦始皇) (Life: 259 BC – 210 BC), the notorious and dictatorial Leader if the first ever united China. During the reign of the Ch'In Dynasty (221 BC - 206 BC) the Chinese had for the first time settled the regions along the top of the main curve of the Yellow River (I.e. around Baotou and Hohhot and up the River). In order to protect their settlements from nomadic raids, it was decided to built two sections of wall in the desert and grasslands, seperating the Chinese from the nomad tribes in the North.
The first of these walls ran from near Hohhot and Baotou to the West and into the natural barier of Ling Shan mountains above Linhe. Parts of this wall, some constructed of mud only, other of mud and stone, were later integrated into the Han Dynasty Wall protecting those regions and cannot be found today.
The second and main Wall however was a mud and stone wall, which started somewhere to the south-west of Hohhot from where it ran through Hohhot eastward for 1000's of kilometers. This enormous wall supposedly lead as far east as the Liaoning Provincial border and beyond to curve around today's City of Shenyang and in fact almost entire Liaoning Province, pass through Tiger Mountain (Hu Shan) - today's (far) Chinese border with Korea, and continue onward to end near the city of Pyongyang, the current capital of North Korea (D.P.R.K.). Today only broken down ruins remain in the semi-desert grassland above Hohhot, but one can still head outthere to retrace this most ancient, and for its length possibly most impressive, of all walls.
Unfortunatly, no guide book nor source book gives precise details of how to get to the prime wall location near Hohhot. The spot is also not clearly marked as such on google maps. It can however be derived from various sources, that it is likely situated along S101
Provincial Road. The only alternative is the S104 Provincial Road situated more to the west.
There are no grasslands (Caoyuan) to be found immediatly outside of Hohhot, but there are some impressive semi-desert landscapes to be viewed as you will find when visiting the above mentioned outlying Temples. To take a tour of the grasslands and get but a small taste of something resembling the traditional feeling and way of life of the nomadic herders on the grasslands one has to book a minimum two day tour, which is possible from Hohhot. Go to local travel agency, your Hotel or CITS Office to book one that is most to your liking. In most cases there are three main area's to choose from: Xilamuren, Gegentala and Huitengxile. The Xilamuren Caoyuan are the most visited at about two hours bus travel from Hohhot City. Gegentala lies but an hour further away, depending on traffic, and Huitengxile at 3.5 hours from Hohhot remains the least visited grasslands area.
Remember, every trade in China means bartering, so in case you are dealing with a private agency, it is not always necessary to agree upon the named price immediatly.
A Special occassion and Festival to be found in Hohhot is the Mongolian Festival of Nadaam. Traditionally the yearly occassion for all ethnic Mongolians to celebrate their culture, heritage and lately again -unity, it is a must see and witness if you have the chance. Mongolian People flock from all over the large Province and beyond to be a part of the gathering, crowding out the Han, erecting a Town of Mongolian Gers on the outskirts of Town and brightening up the streets and festival with their colorful Mongolian dress. It is one of the few occassions for hich these clothes are still worn.
A Nadaam festival is an ancient Mongolian traditional gathering which in modern times includes wrestling, horseracing, archery and other Mongolian Folk activities. Traditionally held at around the time when the grass is greenest in Inner-Mongolia, which varies with the year but is usually in late July or early August, Nadaam is THE event to get a taste of what the Mongolian Culture is all about.
To be a part of it: Make sure you are aware of the correct date of the event. The horse riding track which is usually the center of the activities lies conveniently at about 1.5 kilometers due north of the Town Center.
There are no reported historical Momuments, landmarks or other sites of special interest within Ulan Qab Prefecture. The main attraction for foreign visitors is the Lake Qagan (Qagan Nur or White Lake) (not to be mistaken with the Chagan Lake due west of Songyuan in Jilin Province!).
A location of considerable ecological importance to the local population as well as migratory bird species from all over Eastern Asia, together with nearby Dalai Lake, it provides a vital wetlands that serves as the nourishing waters for most of the surrounding grasslands of the Ulanqab League. Once a fresh water lake, today it survives much reduced in size due South-West of Xilin Gol (Xilin Hot). The best way to get there is from Xilin Hot down along G107 National Road, or from the South through Sanggen Dalai Sumu, along the G207 National Road to Xilin Hot.
Although a long section of the Southern border of Ulanqab League is historically formed by The Great Wall of China, separating Ulanqab in Inner-Mongolia from Shanxi- and Hebei Provinces of China, this monument and landmark is usually considered a part of China rather than of Mongolian territories. Thus all Great Wall passes leading from northern Shanxi Province and northern Hebei Province into Ulanqab League are discussed in the Sections on: 'Shanxi Province' and 'Hebei Province'.
Special destinations within Xilin Gol League :
Special destinations within Da Hinggan League :
There are no reported historical Momuments, landmarks or other sites of special interest within Tongliao Prefecture. For all information on Tongliao and Prefecture please refer to the Chapter:
Learn more about The Great Wall of China, Emperor Qin, his Terracotta Armies and the horrifying fate of those who opposed him through this new Film-Documentary.
There are no reported historical Momuments, landmarks or other sites of special interest within Chifeng Prefecture. For all information on the City of Chifeng and its Prefecture please refer to the Chapter: 'Chifeng City Prefecture (of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region)'.
All information on The Great Wall of China in the Xilao Tu Mountains forming the border between Chifeng Prefecture and Hebei Province and Chifeng Prefecture and Liaoning Province respectively, are organized under the Chapters: 'Hebei Province', and 'Liaoning Province'.
During the Qing Dynasty the Nenjiang provided an important communication route between southern Manchuria and the cities of Qiqihar and Mergen, both of which served at various points as capitals of the Qing Heilongjiang. A portage road connected the upper reaches of the Nenjiang with Aigun on the Amur as well.
In November 1931, the bridge over the Nen River near Jiangqiao became the site of one
of the first battles of the Second Sino-Japanese War.
There are no reported historical Momuments, landmarks or other sites of special interest within Da Hinggan League. For all information on Hinggan (Ulan Hot) and Hinggan League please refer to the Chapters: 'Hinggan' and 'Hinggan League (of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region)'.
To most Chinese, and certainly to most Foreign visitors, travel to Hulunbuir League equals making a journey to one of the remotest and wildest corners of the country. And it certainly is. Traditionally Hulunbuir is not the realm of the Han Chinese, but of the Manchu (Nuzhen), Mongolians and even far wilder tribes. Although part of the Qing Dynasty Empire (1644 AD - 1911 AD), it certainly was no civilized region. During the Sino-Japanese War of 1937 AD - 1945 AD, the invading Japanese found that it was a largely impenetrable region only sparsely inhabited by usually illiterate and primitive tribes of Evenki, Oroqen, Xibe and Daur.
As described in the section on the history of Inner Mongolia, until as late as 1950 AD there were virtually no roads or cities within the Hulunbuir League. The only connections in the region were formed by its ancient rivers and lakes, as well as by the new International Train connection that reached these secluded parts around 1901 AD. Most cities in Hulunbuir, but also in neighboring Heilongjiang Province, were founded only after the arrival of the railway, which sparked off the first sedentary settlements.
Today this forested and hilly region is recognized as the traditional home of the Manchu-Tungusic People, among them not only the Manchu (Nuzhen) who founded the Qing Dynasty (1644 AD - 1911 AD), but more importantly and more interestingly the rare and little known tribes of the Evenki, the Daur, the Xibe and the Oroqen. The latter tribes are among the smallest and most exotic in China, hence their attraction to Foreign and Chinese visitors.
Another attraction of this remote north-eastern corner of the Peoples Republic of China is the Russian influence that is pervasive in these parts. With the modern life in Hulunbuir based in a large part upon the arrival of the China Far East Railway (a.k.a. the Manchurian Railway), the main trading partner in these parts are the Russians who live just across the border formed by the Argun river. With as their main mode of transportation the China Far East Railway, most Markets and Towns frequented by the Russians are set along the railroad. Other Russians emigrated permenantly, becoming part of the Russian (Eluosi) ethnic minority community of the Peoples Republic.
Many tourist take a ride on the train from Harbin in Heilongjiang to Hailar, the Capital of Hulunbuir League, and beyond to the border settlement of Manzhouli, just to get a taste of the Russian Culture and architecture found in these regions.
The Hulunbuir League is also known for its pristine forests and most untouched grasslands of the Innner Mongolia Autonomous Region entire. Again, most use the Towns of Hailar and smaller Manzhouli as jumping off point for a (minimal) 2 day excursion on the grasslands surrounding the scenic Hulun Lake (Mongolian: Hulun Nur).
As most of the regions above Hailar are sparsely populated, forested or swampy and not easily navigated most tours are organized in the westward direction towards the Russian (and Mongolian) border. Travel above Hailar is usually entirely on your own account.
With a population of around 220.000 it is not very large. The main attraction of the City of Hailar are the Evenki Nationality Museum, a unique museum on the proud culture of the Ewenki (and to a lesser extend the other Manchu-Tungusic Peoples) who used to dominate these regions. The second attraction of Hailar town is the intriguing Underground Fortress dating the the 1930's Japanese occupation of Manchuria.
Outside of Hailar are the grasslands of Jinzhanghan and Bayan Huxu, as well as an ancient ruined fortress up near the Russian Border.
The Border town of Manzhouli is mainly known for its Russian architecture and culture, it cross-border trade, the China Far East Railway (the Chinese branch of the Trans-Siberian Railway) and its proximity to the Hulun Nur (Or Dalai lake).
China Report - Colonialism - Growth of Colonies & Japan after 1801 AD
A Map drawing of the Eurasian continent , parts of North-East Africa and the Middle East in the 19Th Century between 1801 AD and 1900 AD. Focal points are the expansion of western colonial posessions of Portugal, Britain and France, as well as Russia moving from West to East. Labeled seperately is the later Rise of the Empire of Japan in the East.
Included in this Map are the main cities across the continent with their brief histories and events during the 19Th Century. Marked in Colors for clarity are the various colonial and imperialist Nations. As relating to China; special attention is payed to so called Treaty Ports. The First Treaty Ports were forced open by Britain in the year 1841 AD, but counted over 80 in total by the end of the 19Th Century. The most important Treaty Ports in China are marked and described with a short history where the map allows.
