Asia Beauty Spot – Asia Scenery

Baotou is a grassy and fertile land inhabited by flocks of deer. In the city center, a sculpture of a running deer serves as a symbol of this ‘Deer City’.

Baotou has a rich historical and cultural heritage. Settlers had moved here six thousand years ago. Some two thousand years ago, Zhao and Qin states established the Great Wall in Baotou. Relics of the Zhao Great Wall and the Qin Great Wall in the suburbs of the city show the importance of Baotou in ancient times.

1. Genghis Khan’s Mausoleum

Genghis Khan is a Mongolian hero. He reunified the chaotic Inner Mongolia prairie and led his people to be a great civilization. He made great contributions to the founding of the powerful Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) and the unification of China which enhanced greatly the interactions of the peoples of China. Due to this great feat, he was named ‘Genghis Khan’ by Mongolian tribes, meaning ‘powerful king’ in Mongolian. Today, Genghis Khan is still worshipped and remembered by his people.

The present Genghis Khan’s Mausoleum was built in 1954 in Erdos City, Inner Mongolia, about 185 km (around 115 miles) from Baotou City. Most people, however, believe that this mausoleum is not where he was really buried but is rather a gathering place for Mongolians to offer sacrifice to the spirit of Genghis Khan. Whether this is true or not, Genghis Khan’s Mausoleum remains a sacred place with great significance for Mongolian people.

The main structures of the mausoleum are three grand halls, which are shaped like Mongolian yurts, and the corridors which link the three halls. In the middle is the Main Hall, which is also the Memorial Hall. In the center of this 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 arms are exhibited. Along the corridors frescos depict the life of Genghis Khan and the great deeds of his grandson-Kubla Khan, who was as great as his grandfather.

In the hall behind the Main Hall there are four biers covered with bright yellow satin. They are said to be the coffins of Genghis Khan and his three wives. There are also two coffins of Genghis Khan’s brothers.

In addition, tourists can taste delicious Mongolian barbecue, and enjoy a Mongolian-style dance and horse performance. You can even take part in the dance, horse riding, arrow shooting, and wrestling. All these activities enhance the tourists’ travel experience.

2.  Wudangzhao Monastery

70 kilometers (approx. 43 miles) northeast of Baotou, near a valley named Wudang Gou, lies the Wudangzhao Monastery which is a large Tibetan Buddhist monastery. It is the biggest and the best preserved lama monastery in Inner Mongolia’s Autonomous Region. ‘Bada Gele Monastery’ is its Tibetan name, meaning white lotus. ‘Wudangzhao’ in Mongolian means ‘willow’. Willows are prosperous in the valley, thus the name.

The monastery was built in the Tibetan style. It is a group of white architectures built on the hills according to the principles of physiognomy. The white monastery stands out against the background of the green trees, making it appear very majestic.

The main buildings in the monastery are composed of six halls, three living Buddha residences, and a funeral hall where the relics of several living Buddhas are preserved.

The six halls are Suguqin Hall, Dongkuo’er Hall, Queyiri Hall, Dangge Xide Hall, Ahui Hall and Ribenlun Hall. The Suguqin Hall is the uppermost one where all the lamas in the monastery gather to recite the lections. The floor is covered with red carpet, and the walls are covered with the colorful paintings depicting Buddhist stories. Queyiri Hall is situated to the west of Suguqin Hall. The Laughing Buddha is worshipped here. The hall is in fact a department where the Buddhist sutra and the religious philosophy are studied. Dangge Xide Hall is also named Jingang Hall, for several Jingang Buddha statues are worshipped there. Dangqi Xide Hall is the smallest hall in the monastery. In it are several Buddhist statues, among which the most notable one is a Buddha, named Daweide, who has nine heads, 34 arms and 16 feet.

According to statistics, there are some 1,500 Buddhist statues and abundant fine murals which reflect the historical characters, customs, myths and beautiful landscape. All the collections in the monastery are precious materials for studying the history and culture of minorities.

Taking regular buses in the square out front of the eastern passenger transport station of Baotou, you will reach the monastery after a journey of about four hours.

Courtesy of China Tourism Board