# Site of Xanadu (Yuan Shangdu) (元上都遗址)

Xilingol, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region · North China, China · Guidebook rating: 5/5
Canonical: https://cnatrip.com/en/places/site-of-xanadu-yuan-shangdu
Language: en

## Key facts

- **Time needed:** 2 hours
- **Getting there:** Take a private minivan taxi from Duolun. Drivers usually wait until enough passengers have gathered before departing.
- **Good for:** History & Culture

## About Site of Xanadu (Yuan Shangdu)

This ancient city ruin, famous throughout the region, was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site at the end of June 2012. It lies about 20 km east of Dunda Hot Town (敦达浩特镇) in Zhenglan Banner. Today, the remains of the outer and inner city walls and the palace ruins within the city can still be seen, and the large blue bricks and horse-tethering posts from that era are still in place.
From June to August, the grassland is at its most beautiful, and it is also the best season for Naadam festivities held by herders. The Sacred Ovoo (Aobao) Ceremony, held at 6:00 a.m., takes place near the Yuan Shangdu ruins.

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Source: China Self-Guided Travel 2025 (《中国自助游》, Tianjin Science & Technology Press, Aug 2024), p. 1885. 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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