17 tips to make better Ordos trip

In the vast territory of China, Ordos stands out as a magical and charming area which boasts the resting place of the great leader Genghis Khan. Named after a Mongolian word meaning "many palaces”, Ordos is located in the southwest of Inner Mongolia autonomous region, bordering the provinces of Shanxi, Shaanxi and Ningxia Hui autonomous region.

Below we present 18 traveling tips put together by a local media organization in the city, for you to better explore this wonderful land.

1. Never think of the city as a less-developed area where every local resident lives in a Mongolian yurt, rides horses to work and is good at archery. You don’t need to bring much cash when visiting this modern city because mobile payment facilities are everywhere. The best traveling time is from May to October.

2. Don’t worry about the city’s transport system. There are buses to urban areas from both the city’s airport and railway station.

3. Living costs in Ordos are not high. A night in an upscale hotel will only cost you around 200 to 300 yuan ($43). It is strongly suggested that tourists book a hotel room well in advance during peak tourist time. If you fail to book one in Kangbashi district, the urban area of the city, you can turn your eyes to Dongsheng district or Ejin Horoo Banner. Transport between the three districts is very convenient.

4. Take some indigestion tablets if you think you might need them. Beef and mutton constitute a large part of local dishes and tend to be strongly flavored.

5. If the hospitable ethnic Mongolians welcome you with a bowl of alcohol, you don’t have to drink it all . But you need to use both of your hands to take the bowl as a way to show respect. 

Mongolian yurts [Photo/nmglyw.com]