World Cultural Heritage – Yuan Shangdu Site

In Zheng Lanqi, we can see the ruins of the capital of the largest empire of the Yuan dynasty in world history – Yuan Shangdu.

Yuan Shangdu was the first city established by the Mongolian people on the Southern Desert Grassland of Mo Nan, it was an important political, military and cultural center of the Yuan Dynasty and a world metropolis at that time.

Yuan Shangdu is also known as Luanjing or Shangjing, its ancient city ruins are located approximately 20 kilometers northeast of Shanshenzhuan in Shenzhuan Town, Golden River Grassland. On June 29, 2012, the 36th World Heritage Council meeting discussed and approved the inclusion of the Yuan Shangdu ruins in China in the World Heritage List.

Hulusandak Shandi is one of the four sandlands in Inner Mongolia, formed 220,000 years ago, it stretches across the north of Zheng Lanqi, the sand dunes lie quietly under the sun, reflecting golden light. Yellow sand, blue water, green grass, cattle and sheep, blue sky, and white clouds weave a beautiful painting.

Hulusandak in Mongolian means 'lone horse'. It is said that when Genghis Khan marched south to conquer the Jin Dynasty, he led the Mongolian iron cavalry of the Keshui army across this unknown sand desert, named it after his white good horse 'lone horse'.