Mausoleum of Genghis Khan


Genghis Khan, also called Yuantaizu (the First Emperor of Yuan dynasty), whose true name is Tiemuzhen,
had been the leader of Mongolia nationality. During the period from the end of the 12th century to the
beginning of the 20th century, he unified different tribes of Mongolia to one country: Mengguhan Country.

Located on Gande'er'ao altitude, with a length of 15 kilometers, width of 30 kilometers and area of 225 square
kilometers, the front of the Genghis Khan Mausoleum is facing to the south. The main construction of the
mausoleum consists of three co-adjacent mausoleum palaces. The main hall is 26 meters in height, the yurt
peak, like a Mongolian tent, dots the white wall, and the top was built with luck designs by yellow-white glazed
tile.

The mausoleum is made up of four magnificent palaces in the shape of Mongolian yurts, which respectively are the main palace, the east palace,
the west palace and the back palace, and the four palaces are connected each other. With rounded roofs and glazed tiles inlayed golden eaves,
they are very glorious and imposing.

Before death, Genghis Khan left testament that his death must be kept secret, in order to trick Xixia into surrendering to Mongolian. According to
the consuetude of Mongolian, nobles should be buried under ground after death. The surface of Genghis Khan's tomb was trod by thousands of
horses to make it smooth; then trees were planted on the land above the tomb, and the second year, green grass grew flourishing there. It says
that after the burial 2,000 men were slaughtered by some 800 soldiers who were in turn executed so that the location of the real tomb remains a
secret. So no one knows the exact place where Genghis Khan was buried from then on. In the mauseleum in Baotou only his clothing is buried in
memory of the great leader.

Genghis Khan's Mausoleum is now a state key relic protection unit. The beautiful surrounding natural
landscape makes the resplendent and magnificent mausoleum even grander. Several ceremonies to offer
sacrifice to Genghis Khan bear witness to the thousand-year-long Mongolian traditional culture and attract
a great numbers of domestic and foreign visitors. Now, memorial ceremony for Genghis khan is held for
four times each year and March 21st of the lunar calendar is the traditional date to hold the memorial
ceremony.