How to Get to & around Ordos 2023

Ordos (鄂尔多斯), which means "Many Palaces" in Mongolian, is a prefecture-level city with Mongolian nationality as the main body and Han nationality as the majority. It is also rated as the best tourist city with ethnic customs in China. There are attractions such as the Mausoleum of Genghis Khan, Kubuqi Desert (Xiangshawan, Yemingsha and Qixing Lake, etc.), Ordos Grassland and Great Khan's Mansion Palace, etc.

Ordos is well-connected with hot destinations in China like Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Yunnan, Guizhou, Qinghai and Tibet, etc. by flight, train and highway, and popular tourist cities in Inner Mongolia like Hohhot, Baotou and Ulanqab, etc. by bullet/normal train, bus or car. Continue to read the following passage and check detailed information about getting to Ordos by flight, train and bus, etc., and how to get around Ordos, Ordos to attractions nearby to plan your Ordos, Inner Mongolia tour in 2023/2024!

Where is Ordos?

Ordos is located in the hinterland of the Ordos Plateau, southwest of Inner Mongolia, bordering Shanxi, Shaanxi and Ningxia province in the south; Hohhot, Baotou, Bayannur and Alxa League in the north. Ordos City (Kangbashi District) is about 270 km southwest from Hohhot (1.5-2 hours by bullet train), about 100 km south from Baotou (1-2 hours by normal train), about 560 km west from Beijing (13.5 hours by train and 2 hours by flight), about 1,400 km northwest from Shanghai (3 hours by flight), 1,960 km north from Hong Kong, 340 km from Yinchuan (5.5-6 hours by car), 580 km from Xian (10 hours by train and 1.5 hours by flight) and 300 km from Taiyuan (1 hour by flight and 6 hours by car), etc.

Ordos Location Map

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Get to Ordos by Air	Get to Ordos by Train
From Beijing to Ordos	From Hohhot to Ordos
Get around Ordos	Ordos to Mausoleum of Genghis Khan
Ordos to Kubuqi Desert

Get to & away from Ordos

Get to Ordos by Flight

Ordos Ejin Horo International Airport (鄂尔多斯伊金霍洛国际机场)

Ordos Ejin Horo International Airport (IATA: DSN, ICAO: ZBDS) is located in Bolteg Township, Ejin Horo Banner, Ordos City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. It is a Class 4E civil branch international airport. By the end of 2019, Ordos Ejin Holo International Airport has one terminal building, 13 parking slots, and has opened a total of 27 airlines, connecting 34 cities at home and abroad. The domestic flights are connected Ordos to major cities in China like Beijing (2hrs), Shanghai (3hrs), Xian (1.5hrs), Chengdu (2hrs), Changsha (2.5hrs), Kunming (3hrs), Xining (1.5hrs), Qingdao (2 hrs), Guangzhou (5hrs), Hangzhou (2.5hrs), etc. There are also international flights to Nha Trang in Vietnam, Moscow and Ekaterinburg in Russia, and Suvarnabhumi in Bangkok, etc.

Transportation: The airport is 13 km away from the downtown area of Ordos and the center of Ejin Horo County (takes 20 minutes by car), 37 km away from the center of Dongsheng District (takes 40-50 minutes by car), 16 km away from Genghis Khan Mausoleum Tourist Area (takes 20-30 minutes by car) and 100 km away from Xiangshawan Scenic Area (Kubuqi Desert).

How to Get to Ordos - Get to Ordos by air

Ordos Ejin Horo International Airport

Get to Ordos by Train

Trains to Ordos

By 2011, Ordos had built 14 railways, basically forming a railway cross skeleton with Beijing-Baotou and Baotan-Lanzhou lines around the periphery, Datong-Jungar, Jungar-Dongsheng and Dongsheng-Wuhai railways across the east and west, and Baotou-Shenmu and Baotou-Xi’an railways through the north and south. Recently, there are bullet trains to Ordos from Hohhot (1.5-2hrs) and Ulanqab (2.5-3hrs). Besides, there are also normal trains connecting Ordos with Baotou (1-2hrs), Beijing (13.5hrs), Xian (9-10hrs), Shanghai (22.5hrs), Kunming (31.5hrs) and Hangzhou (31.5-32hrs), etc.

Ordos Train Station

There are 3 frequently-used stations in Ordos. The one in Kangbashi District is named Ordos Railway Station, also known as Ejin Horo Railway Station. The rest two train stations are all near Dongsheng District, which are Dongsheng East Station and Dongsheng West Station.

Ordos Railway Station 鄂尔多斯站

Address: Binhe East Road, Ejin Horo Banner, Ordos (鄂尔多斯市伊金霍洛旗滨河东路附近)

Transportation: Ordos Railway Station is the nearest railway station to Genghis Khan Mausoleum Tourist Area, about 7 km away from the local government, 7 km away from the Ordos Airport (15 minutes by taxi/car), 23 km away from the Mausoleum of Genghis Khan (30 minutes by taxi/car; over 3 hours by bus transfer), and 76 km away from Xiangshawan Scenic Area in Kubuqi Desert (1.5 hours by car).

Dongsheng West Railway Station 东胜西站

Address: Huifeng Street, Dongsheng District, Ordos (鄂尔多斯市东胜区汇丰大街)

Transportation: Dongsheng West Railway Station is located between the center of Dongsheng District and the center of Kangbashi District. It’s about 15 km away from the center of Kangbashi District and 13 km away from the center of Dongsheng District. Both takes about 30 minutes to transfer between by car/taxi. Dongsheng West Station is about 41 km north from Mausoleum of Genghis Khan, and about 59 km away from Xiangshawan Scenic Area in Kubuqi Desert (less than 1.5 hours by car).

Dongsheng East Railway Station 东胜东站

Address: Sanxinggou, Dongsheng District, Ordos (内蒙古自治区鄂尔多斯市东胜区三姓沟)

Transportation: Dongsheng East Railway Station is about 14.5 km southeast away from the center of Dongsheng District, about 35 km away from Ordos Airport, about 50 km away from the Mausoleum of Genghis Khan and about 56 km away from Xiangshawan Scenic Area. It’s the nearest train station in Ordos to Kubuqi Desert.

How to Get to Ordos - Get to Ordos by train

Ordos Railway Station

Dongsheng West Railway Station

Dongsheng East Railway Station

Ordos Train Schedules

Beijing to Ordos

The straight-line distance between Beijing and Ordos is about 560 km, which takes 9.5-10 hours by car. Travelers can transfer between two cities by flight, train and car. You are also recommended to make a transfer in Hohhot.

By Flight: Every day, there are about 10 flights flying between Beijing (Beijing Shoudu International Airport/Beijing Daxing International Airport) and Ordos (Ordos Ejin Horo International Airport) from 06:55~20:55. The whole journey takes about 2 hours. Check more about the Beijing Ordos Flight Schedule >>

By Train: Nowadays, there is only 1 normal train running between Beijing (Beijing West Railway Station) and Ordos (Dongsheng Weat Railway Station), and the whole train journey takes over 13.5 hours. In order to save time, visitors are recommended to take a high-speed train to get to Hohhot first, which is only around 2.5 hours and then transfer to bullet trains to reach Ordos. Check more about Beijing to Hohhot Transportation >>

(Notice: There are 2 frequently used railway stations in Hohhot and transferring at the same station is the most convenient way. So if you plan to make a transfer at Hohhot on the same day, you should pay attention to whether the ticket you buy is the same station.)

Recommended Beijing and Ordos Tour Package:

☛ 4 Days Classic Beijing Tour

☛ 6 Days Inner Mongolia Bests Discovery Tour

The Forbidden City (Beijing)

Ordos Kangbashi District

Hohhot to Ordos

Hohhot, the capital of Inner Mongolia, is about 270 km away from Hohhot. Usually, if there is no direct flight or train to reach Ordos, most people would choose to make a transfer at Hohhot. There are many ways to get to Ordos from Hohhot. The most convenient and comfortable way is by bullet train. If the time schedule of bullet train between Hohhot and Ordos does not fit your agenda, there are also alternatives like normal trains, long-distance coaches and private car services included in the classic Inner Mongolia tour package.

By Bullet/Normal Train: It only takes 1.5-2 hours to get from Hohhot to Ordos by bullet train. You can take the train at Hohhot Railway Station or Hohhot East Railway Station in Hohhot and get off at Dongsheng East Railway Station or Ordos Railway Station in Ordos from 08:00~19:30. There are also normal trains running between two cities, which might take longer for 3.5-4 hours. Check more about the Hohhot to Ordos Train Schedule >>

By Coach: There are over 15 buses running between Hohhot Bus Station and Dongsheng Bus Station from 06:30~18:00 every day.

(Notice: Information given above is only for your reference, might change according to the real situation.)

Recommended Hohhot Baotou Tours:

☛ 6 Days Inner Mongolia Bests Discovery Tour

Dazhao Temple in Hohhot

Hohhot Bus Station

Get around Ordos

There are two major urban districts in Ordos, namely Kangbashi District (康巴什区) and Dongsheng District (东胜区). The two districts are not close to each other. The distance between the center area of the two districts is about 28 km, which takes 40-60 minutes by taxi/car. There is no subway in Ordos.

For most visitors to Ordos, downtown areas are not the key to their visit. The biggest highlights of Ordos are the rich historical and cultural sites like the Mausoleum of Genghis Khan and diverse natural scenery (Kubuqi Desert and Ordos Grassland, etc.) within its jurisdiction. All of these scenic spots are far away from the city. If you want to get rid of the hustle of public transportation and troublesome navigation, you can book a private Ordos, Inner Mongolia tour package which covers sightseeing, accommodation and transfers from us. Our local tour guide and driver will escort you to Ordos city center, your accommodation, nearby attractions like Mausoleum of Genghis Khan, Xiangshawan in Kubuqi Desert, Ordos Grassland and any place you want to go with speed and convenience with our non-smoking and comfortable licensed private vehicle, and take care of all the details. You just need to focus on sightseeing. Please feel free to contact us directly if you need any help!

Top Recommended Ordos Tour: ☛ 4 Days Inner Mongolia Grassland & Genghis Khan Culture Tour

Ordos Attractions Map (click to enlarge)

Local Private Transfer Service

Ordos to Mausoleum of Genghis Khan

More than 80% of the tourists who come to Ordos mainly intend to visit the Mausoleum of Genghis Khan and have a glimpse of the glorious life of the “Grassland’s King”. The most convenient way to get to the scenic area is by booking a private car service. For independent travelers, you may also take a taxi or catch a bus.

The Genghis Khan Mausoleum Tourist Area is about 60 km away from the center of Dongsheng District (1 hour by car) and about 28 km away from the center of Kangbashi District (40 minutes by car). There are also direct tourist buses running between Dongsheng Bus Station (东胜客运站) and Mausoleum of Genghis Khan hourly from 08:00~20:00. The whole journey would take about 2 hours.

Top Recommended Ordos Tour with Genghis Khan Mausoleum: ✔ 6 Days Inner Mongolia Bests Discovery Tour

Get around Ordos - Ordos to Mausoleum of Genghis Khan

Mausoleum of Genghis Khan in Ordos

Ordos to Kubuqi Desert

Kubuqi Desert, located in the northern part of the Ordos Plateau in Inner Mongolia, is the seventh largest desert in China. It's not only a "Desert Disneyland" for family vacation, but also a paradise for desert hikers. Entering the hinterland of desert by jeep, camel or on foot, visitors may see the rolling golden sand dunes stretching out to the sky and listening to the resonant symphony played by the sand. Yemingsha Scenic Area, Xiangshawan Scenic Area and Qixing Lake Scenic Area are recommended desert resorts in Kubuqi.

As Kubuqi Desert covers a vast land, the most convenient, relaxing and time-saving way to get around separated scenic areas in Kubuqi Desert is by hiring a car/jeep. Contact us to tailor your Kubuqi Desert Tour >>

Top Recommended Ordos Tour with Kubuqi Desert: ✔ 5 Days Classic Inner Mongolia Tour

Get around Ordos - Ordos to Kubuqi Desert

Camel Riding in Kubuqi Desert

How to Plan an Ordos Tour

Best Time to Visit Ordos: May ~ October, especially in June, July, August and September…

How to Get There: Flights from Beijing (1.5hrs), Shanghai (3hrs), Xian (2.5hrs), Chengdu (2.5hrs), etc. and bullet train from Hohhot (1.5-2hrs), Ulanqab (2.5-3hrs), etc.

There are two biggest highlights in Ordos, one is the Kubuqi Desert, the other is the Mausoleum of Genghis Khan. It usually takes 1-2 days to explore the beauty of nature and culture in the two sites. For those who are interested in desert camping, riding and hiking can spend 1-2 more days in Kubuqi Desert. Before or after your desert tour, you can take half a day to explore the Kangbashi District in Ordos, visit Genghis Khan Sculpture Square, Mongol Chess Square and Kangbashi Gallery of Culture and Art, etc.

☛ 4 Days Inner Mongolia Grassland & Genghis Khan Culture Tour

☛ 2 Days Best Kubuqi Desert Tour to Yemingsha

For first-time visitors to Inner Mongolia, it is recommended spend 4-6 days visiting Ordos together with Baotou and Hohhot, enjoy all the highlights in the central Inner Mongolia, like the famous Tibetan Buddhist temples (Dazhao, Wudangzhao...), vast grasslands (Huitengxile Grasslands...), and wild Kubuqi Desert.

☛ 5 Days Classic Inner Mongolia Tour (Hohhot / Huitengxile Grassland / Kubuqi Desert / Ordos)

☛ 6 Days Inner Mongolia Bests Discovery Tour (Hohhot / Ulanqab / Huitengxile Grassland / Baotou / Kubuqi Desert / Ordos)

Feel not enough? You can plan 4~5 days more in Hulunbuir to meet the most beautiful grassland in China and more primitive natural splendors, 2~4 days more in Xilingol to discover the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site - Site of Xanadu, and more authentic nature, or 4-5 days in Chifeng to soak in the Ulan Butong Grassland and other wonders in Hexigten Global Geopark. Do you have your own preferences about Ordos and Inner Mongolia? Please feel free to tell us your likes and let our experienced travel consultant customize a tour for you!

☛ 5 Days Best Hulunbuir Tour with Grassland Exploration

☛ 5 Days Classic Hexigten Scenic Tour with Wulan Butong Grassland

☛ 5 Days Primitive Inner Mongolia Tour to Xilingol

Camels Riding at Kubuqi Desert How to Plan a Ordos Tour

Horse Riding on Xilamuren Grassland How to Plan a Ordos Tour

Hulunbuir Grassland

Travel Ordos with China Discovery

As attractions in Ordos are separated, travelling with a professional travel agency is usually the best way to visit there. We China Discovery know Ordos and Inner Mongolia a lot and we are experienced in organizing tours to this region. If you need any help, please feel free to contact us! Private cars, one-to-one guide and travel consultant... Everything is only for you and your group or family! All tours are customizable based on your interest, budget, plan and every special need!

Recommended Ordos Tours

Top 3 Ordos tours chosen by most customers to explore Ordos in the best way. Check the detailed itinerary, or tailor your own trip now with us.

: 6 Days Inner Mongolia Bests Discovery Tour
Hohhot / Ulanqab / Huitengxile Grassland / Hohhot / Baotou / Yemingsha of Kubuqi Desert / Ordos

: 4 Days Inner Mongolia Grassland & Genghis Khan Culture Tour
Hohhot / Huitengxile Grassland / Ordos

: 4 Days Huitengxile Grassland & Kubuqi Desert Tour from Hohhot
Hohhot / Huitengxile Grassland / Yemingsha of Kubuqi Desert / Ordos

Start planning your tailor-made holiday to China by contacting one of our specialists. Once inquired, you’ll get a response within 0.5~23.5 hours.

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