The Genghis Khan Mausoleum is located in Ejin Horo Banner, about fifty kilometers south of Ordos, in Inner Mongolia. Built to honor the memory of the founder of the Mongol Empire (1162–1227), it remains the principal place of worship dedicated to his legacy, visited by Mongolian and Chinese pilgrims during annual ritual ceremonies.

Why visit the Genghis Khan Mausoleum

The site holds a special place in Mongolian imagination. The true tomb of Genghis Khan remains undiscovered to this day: its location was deliberately concealed at his death, fueling legends and theories for eight centuries. This mausoleum does not house the conqueror's remains, but it concentrates dynastic memory, relics attributed to his family, and rituals transmitted generation to generation by the Darkhad, hereditary guardians of the cult.

For travelers interested in steppe history, it is one of the rare places where one can witness a living Mongolian sacrificial ceremony within an architecture of monumental yurts unique in Chine.

History of the Mausoleum

The mausoleum was originally created by Ögödei, third son and successor of Genghis Khan, to pay homage to his father. It took the form of eight large white mobile yurts, displaced with the seasons and across dynasties. This nomadic tradition persisted under the Qing dynasty, with the sanctuary relocating multiple times.

To permanently fix the site and stabilize the cult, the Chinese government constructed a new permanent complex in 1956, composed of four monumental white yurts. This is the ensemble you visit today. Nicknamed the "universal decision-maker," Genghis Khan unified the Mongolian tribes before building the largest continuous empire in history. He died at the age of 66 in 1227, under circumstances that remain debated.

What you'll see on site

The complex extends across a vast protected zone and groups several buildings connected by walkways paved with white stones. The walls of these walkways bear frescoes depicting the major stages of Mongol Empire formation.

The main palace

At the center of the site, the main palace rises to 26 meters in height. It houses a white marble sculpture of Genghis Khan on horseback, standing 6.6 meters tall in reference to the 66 years of his life. The interior displays symbolic coffins, sculptures, and objects attributed to the khan and his family.

The side palaces

Two other palaces, dedicated to Genghis Khan's principal wife and concubines, house their symbolic tombs as well as relics linked to the imperial family. All three echo the silhouette of the yurt: white walls, rounded roofs, colored glazed tiles.

The ceremonies

During rituals, pilgrims intone songs of praise and conduct animal sacrifices according to codified liturgy. The ceremonies are followed by traditional Mongolian sporting activities: wrestling, archery, horse racing. During major ritual periods, the site can accommodate up to 10,000 visitors per day.

When to visit

Four major ritual ceremonies punctuate the year, each linked to the Mongolian lunar calendar. The most important takes place in spring, typically in March–April. This is when the site is most lively, but also most crowded.

For a quieter visit, opt for late spring or early autumn (May–June, September). Winter in Inner Mongolia is harsh, with temperatures dropping well below −20 °C; summer is brief but pleasant.

Practical information

• Duration of visit: allow 2 to 3 hours to tour the entire complex.
• Hours: open daily during daytime hours. Verify current schedules before your visit.
• Admission: paid entry, moderate pricing for a Chinese historical site of this scale.
• On site: bring water, sun protection (limited shade) and comfortable shoes. English-language explanations are limited.

How to get there

The mausoleum is accessible from the city of Ordos, located in Inner Mongolia. Several options:

• From Baotou or Hohhot: long-distance bus to Ordos (2 to 4 hours depending on departure point), then local bus or taxi to the site.
• From Ordos: taxi or private car, approximately one hour drive. This is the most direct option.
• By air: Ordos Ejin Horo Airport is served from Beijing, Shanghai, and several major Chinese cities.

Nearby attractions

Inner Mongolia offers an array of complementary landscapes and sites:

• The city of Ordos itself, striking for its contemporary urbanism in the heart of the steppe.
• The Hexigten Geopark, further northeast, for its geological formations and lakes.
• To extend the historical theme, the Great Wall at Juyongguan, accessible from Beijing, marks the southern boundary of former Mongol territories.

FAQ

Include the mausoleum in your journey

The Genghis Khan Mausoleum fits naturally into a tour of Inner Mongolia or into a broader itinerary blending steppe, Ordos desert, and major northern cities. To build a custom program including this site, explore our journeys in Chine.