Genghis Khan\'s Mausoleum

4 A-level scenic spot. Located in Yijinhuoluo Banner in the center of Ordos, it is situated on the high Gande\'er Mountain 65 kilometers from Dongsheng District. In the mid of the 15th century, the Ordos tribe garrisoned at Genghis Khan\'s Mausoleum entered "Hetao" and the mausoleum of Genghis Khan --"Eight White Rooms" -- were also relocated here. In early the 17th Century, the "Eight White Rooms" were worshipped at the present Wang\'aizhao of Dalad Banner. During the 6th year of the reign of emperor Shuizhi of theQing Dynasty, the "Eight White Rooms" were moved to the present Yijinhuoluo Banner, the coffin of Genghis Khan was worshipped on Gande\'er Mountain since that. As the Japanese invaders wanted to rob Genghis Khan\'s Mausoleum in 1939, it was moved to Xinglong Mountain of Gansu temporarily in order to protect it. In 1949, Genghis Khan\'s Mausoleum was moved to Ta\'er Temple of Huangzhong County, Qinghai. In 1954, Genghis Khan\'s Mausoleum returned to Yijinhuoluo Banner. Two years later, a new mausoleum was built on Gande\'er Mountain and Genghis Khan\'s coffin was placed inside. Genghis Khan\'s Mausoleum is now astate key relic protection unit. The beautiful surrounding natural landscape makes the resplendent and magnificent mausoleum even grander. Several ceremonies to offer sacrifice to Genghis Khan bear witness to the thousand-year-long Mongolian traditionalculture and attract a great numbers of domestic and foreign visitors.

Genghis Khan\'s Mausoleum has nowbeen expanded to an area of 80 sq. km. 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.

The total area of the Mausoleum is over 50, 000 sq. m. There\'s a spacious square at the front of the main hall. Two masts are set up on the square and the pattern of nine steeds was embroidered on the banner. It is said that that the patter is a symbol offlourishing and happiness.

The hall is 26 meters in height and has a floor area of over 1500 square meters. There are two Mongolian tent-shaped tops of different sizes on the hall. Blue and yellow glazed tiles are laid on thehall, forming a traditional wave-shaped pattern. Upturned eaves, vermeil gate, broad muntin, white marble mortar-engraved guardrailin front of the hall,stable granite base make the hall even more awful and solemn. The hall is composed of the front hall, rear hall, east and westhalls and east and west corridors. The 5-meter-high Genghis Khan statue is worshipped in the front hall,three yellow silk Mongolian tents are in the front face of the rear hall, and the coffin of Genghis Khan and his three wives is laid inside. The coffinof Genghis Khan\'s fourth son Tuolei and his wife are laid in the east hall, the battle sword, saddleand sacrificial milk bucket are worshipped in the west hall.

There are frescos in each hall and onthe internal wall of thecorridors. Frescos on the west corridor depict GenghisKhan\'s work and life, and the religion andcustoms of the Mongolian people. Frescoson the east corridor reflected the achievements in industry, agriculture, commerce and navigation of Yuan Dynasty after Khubilai\'s unification of China.

Sulude: Assuming the shape of along spear, it is the symbol of the army of Mongoliaand the fearless Ares. It is said that once Genghis Khan was defeated at Tula River and prayed for the blessing of god. Suddenly, a black and long divine spear, Sudelu, fell down from the sky. Sudelu later became an invincible weapon for him.

Divine horse: In the mausoleum area, there are two whitedivinehorses the offsprings of the said two beloved horses of Genghis Khan.Mongolians especially worship the two horses. Thedivine horses are from the Genghis Khan era. When an old while horse is to die, a new white horse will be selected to substitute it. The standard for selection is: black eyes and hooves, pure and shining while mane and no scars on the body.

Sacrifice: Over the 700 years since the death of Genghis Khan, the sacrificial activities have been held on thegrassland from one generation to another. It is recorded that over30 different sacrificial activities have been held. In the past, because of the limitation of the pasturing life and the frequent relocation of Genghis Khan\'sMausoleum, the sacrificing activities were conducted independently in different regions. In 1955,with the approval of the Mongolian and Han people, the local government gathered Genghis Khan\'s portraits, Sulude,swords andsaddles scattered in various banner of Yikezhao League (the present Ordos City) at Genghis Khan\'s Mausoleum and concentrated the various sacrificial activities. Every March 21, May 15,August 12and October 3 in lunar calendar are main times for sacrifices.

 Presently, the building of Genghis Khan\'s Mausoleum Tourist District is conducted according to the planning of "three areas, two paths and eight scenic spots" andsome projects are already finished. Of which, the "three areas" refer to the Relic Protection and Sightseeing Area, the Ecological Recovery Protection Area and the Visual Landscape Control Area; the "two paths" are the Genghis Khan Path and the Landscape Path; the "eight scenic spots" are the Tourist Activity Center, Tourist Education Center, Linggong Sightseeing and Tourist District, Nadamu Horsemanship Activity Center, Da\'erhute Folk Custom Village, Fire Balloon Cluband Divine Fountain Scenic Spot.

Traffic: It is convenient totake regular bus and taxi there.

Boarding:There are rest houses in the scenic spot. People can also live in Atengxire Town and Dongsheng District.