Three charming ethnic groups in Inner Mongolia

Daur 达斡尔族

Daur autonomous banner of Morin Dawa

Establishment: 1958

Location: in the easternmost part of Hulunbuir, Inner Mongolia autonomous region

Area: 11,000 sq km

Population: 330,000 (of which 9 percent are Daur people)

Daur means "pioneer" or "cultivator" in the local language. The group in North China enjoys a history which can be dated back to the 11th century AD.

In the past, the Daur people lived by themselves. Daur men are good at training eagles, hunting and shepherding, while the women are busy planting, sewing and weaving.

The people also like sports activities such as hockey, horse riding, archery and wrestling. Visitors are advised to sample the people's unique folk dances, folk music, and sculptures.

Lurigele, which means "burning" or "flourishing" in the local language, is a typical folk dance performed by the group. The dance, stemming from the laboring and production life of the people, features the moves denoting planting and hunting, as well as the movements of different kinds of animals. The people dance Lurigele to relax and to express their hopes for the future.

Recommended Tourist Attractions

1.      Daur Folk Culture Park达斡尔民族园

Entrance of Daur Folk Culture Park [Photo/IC]

Opened on Aug 15, 2003, Daur Folk Culture Park is a 4A-rated tourist attraction besides Ni'erji Lake. It is the only park of its kind to feature the history, culture and ecological tourism of the Daur people, winning it the reputation of "museum of Daur".

It covers 4.58 sq km and is 9 km north of Ni’erji Town and not far from the 111 National Highway.

2.      National Hockey Summer Training Base 国家曲棍球夏训基地

Morin Dawa Banner is famous as the hometown of hockey and China's modern hockey originated from the banner. The earliest record of hockey in China can be dated to the Liao Dynasty (916-1125). The Daur people inherited the ancient sport and made it popular among the group.

Daur men play hockey. [Photo/mldw.nmgnews.com]

3.      Ruins of Jinjiehao 金界壕遗址

Scenery at the ruins of Jinjiehao [Photo/mldw.gov.cn]

Jinjiehao is a section of fortifications initially built in 1123 and finished in 1198. The defensive wall is 5 to 6 meters in height and the defensive trench is about 30 to 60 meters wide.

Though the existing wall of ruins is only 1 to 2 m high, the majesty of Jinjiehao can still be appreciated. The ruins were recognized as a national protection relic.