# Heishui Ancient City (Khara-Khoto) (黑水古城)

Alxa, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region · North China, China · Guidebook rating: 4/5
Canonical: https://cnatrip.com/en/places/heishui-ancient-city-khara-khoto
Language: en

## Key facts

- **Time needed:** 2–3 hours
- **Address:** About 20 km southeast of Dalaihubu Town
- **Getting there:** Hire a car to get there
- **Good for:** History & Culture, Architecture

## About Heishui Ancient City (Khara-Khoto)

Heishui Ancient City, also known as Khara-Khoto, was already famous in the Western Xia and Yuan dynasties. It is one of the best-preserved ancient city ruins along the Silk Road and has long been favoured by historians and archaeologists. Marco Polo is said to have followed this route into the 'Oriental paradise', and numerous legends add an air of mystery to the site. From more than ten li (about 5 km) away, the white pagoda rising above the city walls is visible and looks like a scene from a fairyland.

## Tips from the guidebook

- 1. 18:00–18:45 is the best time to photograph sunset and the setting sun.
- 2. Heishui and the Strange Tree Forest are both known for their desolate atmosphere. Heishui in particular is very remote, so it is best not to camp there.

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Source: China Self-Guided Travel 2025 (《中国自助游》, Tianjin Science & Technology Press, Aug 2024), p. 1920. Prices, hours and transport details are as printed in the August 2024 edition and may have changed. Always confirm with the venue before you travel.
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