Top Ordos cultural activities and adventures

Ordos, often called the “Pearl of the Grasslands,” blends nomadic heritage, desert landscapes, and modern urban energy into one captivating destination. As one of Inner Mongolia’s most culturally distinctive cities, it invites travelers to explore the spirit of the steppe through its Mongolian traditions, Tibetan Buddhist influences, and dramatic Yellow River scenery.

If you’re seeking more than just sightseeing, here are some of the best immersive cultural experiences and outdoor adventures to try in Ordos.

Experience Milking cows

A local herder milking a cow

• Type: Cultural Immersion/ Food
• Duration: Around 40 minutes
• Location: Supahan Grassland, Ordos Grassland

Milking cows on the Ordos and Subohan grasslands offers an authentic glimpse into the region’s nomadic heritage. For Mongolian herders, milking is part of daily life and an important seasonal activity during summer and early autumn, when the cows produce the richest milk. Visitors can join local families to learn traditional milking techniques, help guide the cattle, and see how fresh milk is used to make yogurt, cheese, and milk tea. This hands-on experience helps travelers understand why dairy products are central to Mongolian cuisine and how pastoral traditions have shaped life on the grasslands for centuries.

To make the most of the experience, it’s best to join a guided activity hosted by local herders and schedule it in the early morning, when milking usually takes place. Wear comfortable clothing and closed shoes, avoid bright colors that may startle livestock, and be prepared for the strong sun on the open grasslands by bringing sunscreen, hats, and enough water. Follow the herders’ instructions at all times—cows with calves can be protective— and avoid sudden movements around the animals. With the right preparation, milking cows becomes not only a cultural activity but also a meaningful way to connect with the rhythm of nomadic life in Ordos.

The wedding of Ordos

• Type: Cultural Immersion/ Art/ History/ Architecture
• Duration: Around 50 minutes (performance)
• Location: Ordos City

The wedding performance of Ordos

With a history of over 700 years, Ordos wedding is one of the most attractive and striking ceremonies in Inner Mongolia. The wedding has a series of specific ceremonial events that have been well preserved and slowly become the local custom. Though, nowadays you can hardly find any ordos people traditionally holding their weddings. At Xiangshawan or the Whistling Dune Bay in Ordos City, you will get the chance to grasp a performance about the wedding of the Ordos people, showcasing their unique ethical culture, through song, dance, and costumes. In this session, other than the show itself, you can also participate in other activities including taking an RZR and ATV into the desert.

Experience Horseback Riding

• Type: Cultural Immersion /Art
• Tour Length : 0.5- 1hour
• Location: Ordos Grassland, Supahan Grassland

One of the most authentic ways to experience Mongolian culture is through horseback riding on the vast grasslands. Mongols have been known as "the people on horseback" for centuries, and riding a horse across the open plains is a thrilling way to connect with their nomadic traditions. You can learn the basics of Mongolian horseback riding from experienced guides. If you want to make the experience even more perfect, rent a set of traditional Mongolian attire, saddle up, and ride across the vast and beautiful grasslands like a true Mongolian nomad.

Experience the Spirit of Naadam

Wrestling

• Type: Cultural Immersion/ History/ Art
• Tour Length : a day
• Location: Ordos Grassland, Supahan Grassland

The Naadam Festival is more than just a sporting event; Typically held in July and August, when the grasslands are at their most beautiful. It is a living representation of Mongolian culture, history, and identity. Whether you're a culture enthusiast, an adventure seeker, or simply looking for a unique travel experience, attending Naadam offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to immerse yourself in the traditions of the Mongolian people.

The Naadam Festival is the most significant and grand traditional event in Mongolia and Inner Mongolia, often referred to as "the Three Manly Games" as it features competitions in horse racing, wrestling, and archery. This festival is a vibrant display of Mongolian culture, bringing together local communities and travelers for an unforgettable experience.

Ordos Leather Carving Art

• Type: Cultural Immersion/ Art/ Crafts
• Duration: Around 1-2 hours
• Location: Uxin Banner Cultural and Creative Industry Park, Ejin Horo Banner, Ordos City

Ordos leather carving is a three-dimensional relief art form created using naturally tanned cowhide. Drawing inspiration from nomadic traditions, Mongol-Yuan culture, and local Ordos heritage, the artwork is crafted through techniques such as embossing, engraving, and dyeing. Each piece carries the historical memory of Mongolian nomadic life.

Visitors can take part in the making of Mongolian leather art by joining a hands-on workshop that covers selecting the hide, tanning, sketching, and carving under the guidance of a skilled artisan. Your finished piece may be a wallet, a notebook cover, or a decorative panel—rugged yet refined, infused with the spirit of the grasslands, and uniquely your own.

Hands-On Mongolian Silver Forging Experience

• Type: Cultural Immersion/ Art/ Crafts
• Duration: Around 1-2 hours
• Location: Uxin Banner Cultural and Creative Industry Park, Ejin Horo Banner, Ordos City

Mongolian silver forging, now recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage, showcases breathtaking craftsmanship through its intricate repoussé and inlay techniques. The process is remarkably elaborate and includes melting, hammering, shaping, engraving, welding, washing, and polishing.

In the workshop, artisans demonstrate each step and then guide visitors in using traditional tools to carve classic Mongolian motifs such as cloud patterns and geometric designs onto silver pieces. Participants can create their own ring or pendant, shaping it from raw silver into a gleaming, personalized keepsake. By the time the piece is finished, visitors not only take home a unique work of art but also gain a deep appreciation for the precision, patience, and artistic spirit of Mongolian silversmiths.

Explore the Heritage of Ordos Horse Gear Craftsmanship

• Type: Cultural Immersion/ Art/ History
• Duration: Around 1-2hours
• Location: Ordos City

Mongolian people have an inseparable bond with the grasslands and their horses, which are not only loyal companions but also treasured assets. This deep relationship has given rise to a long-standing tradition of beautifully crafted horse gear in Ordos. Local saddles, stirrups, whips, and bridles combine practical design with exquisite artistry, reflecting the wisdom, craftsmanship, and aesthetic sensibilities of northern nomadic culture.

When you visit a sixth-generation horse tack workshop, you can learn how artisans select different types of leather for each part of the gear and how a saddle is custom-shaped to fit a horse comfortably on long journeys across the steppe. Many pieces are richly decorated with silver inlays, colorful stitching, carved patterns, and traditional Mongolian motifs that symbolize strength, protection, and nomadic identity.

Visitors can also take part in simple hands-on activities such as polishing leather, adding decorative stitching, or carving basic patterns onto a small leather tag or keychain. It’s a rare chance to appreciate the craftsmanship behind Mongolian tack and create a small keepsake inspired by the timeless bond between herders and their horses.

Add some of these activities to your Inner Mongolia trip now >>

Customize Your Unique Ordos Tour

If you are interested in the Ordos itineraries mentioned above, please contact us, and we will be happy to customize it and provide a quote tailored to your preferences.

Alternatively, if you would like to customize your Ordos Tour, please visit our Inner Mongolia Tour Customized Center. We assure you that you will receive a reply within 24 working hours.

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