Region: Inner Mongolia · China
Ordos City travel guide
Ordos City is a city in Inner Mongolia, China, home to about 2,154,000 people.
- Best months
- May, June and September
- Nearest airport
- DSN38 km · Ordos Ejin Horo International Airport
- Currency
- CNYrenminbi
- Time zone
- Asia/Shanghai
- Plugs
- A, C, I · 220 V
- Emergency
- 110
- Language
- Chinese, Putonghua, Standard Chinese
About
About Ordos City
Ordos, also known as Ih Ju, is one of twelve major subdivisions of Inner Mongolia, China. It lies within the Ordos Plateau of the Yellow River.
Ordos is described by western media as the poster child of excess modern Chinese city planning. Monumental architectures line the center axis flanked by identical apartment blocks built by the dozens. Ordos is referred to internationally as a "Ghost City" as the new city was almost without any human activity when first built in 2010. Several years later there is a population of 100,000 and life on the streets during the day but still quiet at night, in contrast to Dongsheng, a still bustling 4th tier Chinese city. Ordos (Kangbashi) is bounded by the Wulan Mulun River to its south.
Wikipedia and Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Things to do
What to see and do in Ordos City
See
- Xiangshawan
- Yinkentala
- Kangbashi Tourist Area
- Ordos Museum
- Mausoleum of Genghis Khan
Do
- Ordos International Circuit
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Where to stay
Which part of Ordos City to stay in
Most hotels are located in the Dongsheng District. Despite the drastic buildup, Ordos (Kangbashi) has only about 4 business class hotels. Altan Xire town has several large business class hotels, which can be 30% cheaper than the options in Ordos (Kangbashi) or Dongsheng.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Where to stay
Hotels in Ordos City
2 hotels within 25 km of the centre, as recorded in Wikidata. Each name links to its encyclopedia article where there is one.
| Hotel | Opened | From centre |
|---|---|---|
| Howard Johnson Parkview Plaza Erdos | 4.0 km | |
| Royal International Hotel | 1.0 km |
When to go
The best time to visit Ordos City
The most comfortable months for a city stay in Ordos City are May, June and September. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 28 °C; August is the wettest, with about 94 mm of rain.
Comfortable means average daytime high between 18 °C and 29 °C and under 80 mm of rain in the month. Averages for 1991–2020 over the surrounding area, a grid square about 50 km across, so a coast or a nearby mountain can make the town itself warmer or cooler. Data: CRU TS v4.10, Climatic Research Unit, University of East Anglia (Open Database License).
Public holidays in China, 2026
Shops and offices may close on these dates.
Getting there
Getting to Ordos City: airports and arrival
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Ordos Ejin Horo International Airport (DSN), about 38 km from the city centre in a straight line; Baotou Donghe International Airport (BAV, 83 km) is also within reach.
Getting around
Bus line K22 runs between the center of Ordos (Kangbashi) to the center of Dongsheng. In Ordos first K22 bus from 06:30 to last departure at 18:50. Bus service between cities ends early so civil servants aren't too comfortable commuting from Dongsheng, dealing a gentle reminder by city planners for them to move to Ordos (Kangbashi). Taxis are numerous in Dongsheng, Ordos (Kangbashi), and Altan Xire town. Flag drop is ¥7 but fares accumulate fast for long distance rides. It costs over ¥80 to go from Ordos (Kangbashi) to Dongsheng.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
DSN · Ordos Ejin Horo International Airport
BAV · Baotou Donghe International Airport
Questions
Ordos City: questions travellers ask
When is the best time to visit Ordos City?
The most comfortable months for a city stay in Ordos City are May, June and September. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 28 °C; August is the wettest, with about 94 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Ordos City?
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Ordos Ejin Horo International Airport (DSN), about 38 km from the city centre in a straight line; Baotou Donghe International Airport (BAV, 83 km) is also within reach.
What currency is used in Ordos City?
renminbi (CNY).
Nearby
Destinations near Ordos City
Sources: city facts from Wikidata and Wikipedia; airports from OurAirports; climate from CRU TS v4.10 (University of East Anglia Climatic Research Unit), 1991–2020 monthly means, 0.5° grid; public holidays from python-holidays (MIT); places to stay, guest scores and amenities from each operator's own public pages. How this guide is made.