The Tomb of Genghis Khan

Name: cheng ji si han mu (the tomb of Genghis Khan)

Location: Yijin Huoluo Qi (banner), Edos City, Inner Mongolia

Admission: RMB90 (high season); RMB60 (low season)

Suggested time of visit: summer and autumn

Suggested visit duration: half day

Historians and academic society have argued for centuries about the exact location of the burial site of the great Mongol leader Genghis Khan. The true burial site of Genghis Khan, who was buried in a secret, remains a mystery to this day. His tomb should be an unmarked tomb according to Genghis Khan’s will. To make maters worse, he ordered to kill all personnel who were involved in the construction of the burial site. The current on standing in Inner Mongolia was built in middle of 1950s. Despite of all controversy and historical discrepancy, Mongol people still view this place as sacred. 

The Mausoleum of Genghis Khan is now a national AAAA grade scenic area. It is located in Yijin Huoluo Banner, Erdos, some 180 kilometers away to the south of Baotou. The present mausoleum was built in 1954. Genghis Khan engaged in expedition all his life, and had greatly extended the territory of Mongolia to the middle Asia. A place for is necessary for Mongols to worship their great leader and glorious past. A grand mausoleum can just serve the purpose. 

The total area of the tomb covers 50, 000 square meters. There are facilities as Central Square, Iron Horse and Golden Curtain, Euro-Asian Square, Mongolian Historical and Cultural Museum, Temporary Dwelling Palace of the Han Dynasty.

The main structures of the mausoleum are three grand halls, all shaped like Mongolian yurts, and are linked by corridors. In the middle is the Main Hall, also the Memorial Hall. In the center of the hall stands a white marble statue of Genghis Khan with a height of over 4 meters (around 13 feet). Behind the statue is the map of the vast territory of the Yuan Dynasty

On either side of the Main Hall are the East Hall and the West Hall. In the East Hall, coffins of one of Genghis Khan's wives and his fourth son are laid. In the West Hall, Genghis Khan's armies are exhibited. Along the corridors, there are frescos depicting the life story of Genghis Khan and the great deeds of his grandson-Kubla Khan, who was himself a great leader and military commander of Mongolian tribes. 

Apart from memorial halls of Ginghis Khan, there are also rituals or events held at the mausoleum every ywar. It is on March 21st, May 15th, September 12th and October 3rd of lunar calendar. The sacrifice on March 21st of lunar calendar is held in the main palace. On that day, the local people will come to the sacrifice from all directions. After the grand ceremony, many traditional activities such as horse race, archery and wrestling will be held.

This site opens from 8 a.m to 6 p.m everyday with admission fees of RMB90 per person in high season and RMB60 for low season. Access to this site is with relative ease. There are bus services connecting this site with downtown Erdos. The shuttle bus starts at Erdos square near Dongsheng Hotel. There are also shuttle bus services from Erdos railway station.