Short Introduction to Ordos Local Culture: History, Nation, Diet, Clothing, etc.

Ordos, located in southwestern Inner Mongolia, lies at the heart of the Yellow River’s iconic “Great Bend.” Covering a vast area of about 87,000 square kilometers. The name “Ordos” means “a place of many palaces” in Mongolian, a reflection of the region’s historic grandeur and prosperity. Ordos embodies the deep cultural traditions of the Mongolian people while embracing the historical influences of nomadic heritage, frontier desert culture, and centuries of interaction among multiple ethnic groups.

Today, Ordos is often described with the phrase “one black, one white, and one mausoleum,” referring to coal, cashmere, and the Genghis Khan Mausoleum. The city presents a unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. This rich convergence of traditions has made Ordos one of China’s most unique and culturally significant cities.

Brief History

During the era of Yu the Great, the region was incorporated into Yongzhou, one of the nine provinces of early China.

By the late 5th century BCE, eastern Ordos, around modern-day Jungar Banner, belonged to the State of Wei as part of Shang Commandery.

In 221 BCE, following the unification of China, Emperor Qin Shi Huang established counties and commanderies across the Ordos region, historically known as New Qinzhong and Henan Territory.

In 127 BCE, the Western Han Dynasty set up Wuyuan Commandery in northern Dalad Banner.

From 168 CE during the Eastern Han, Ordos became a pastoral region for northern nomadic groups such as the Xiongnu, Wuhuan, Xianbei, and Qiang.

Under the Sui Dynasty (589 CE), the areas of today’s Jungar Banner, Dalad Banner, and Dongsheng District were governed under Yulin Commandery, which oversaw counties including Yulin, Fuchang, and Quanhe.

During the Tang Dynasty (672 CE), the region was incorporated into Guannei Circuit.

In the Northern Song Dynasty (960 CE), the eastern area fell under Linzhou and New Qin Prefecture, while the south belonged to Xiazhou and Youzhou, and the southwest to Yanzhou.

Under the Yuan Dynasty, Ordos belonged to Chahan Nao.

During the Ming Dynasty (1457–1464), the Ordos Mongol Tribe settled in the Hetao region, marking the first historical use of the name “Ordos.”

In the Qing Dynasty (1649), the league and banner administrative system was formalized, establishing Ikh Juu League with six banners.

After 1949, the region underwent several administrative reorganizations.

On April 30, 2001, Ikh Juu League was officially renamed Ordos City.

As of October 2022, Ordos administers 2 districts and 7 banners.

Ethnic Culture

Ordos is a multi-ethnic city with a permanent population of 2.2405 million as of the end of 2024. It is home to 42 ethnic groups, including Mongolian, Han, Manchu, Hui, Tibetan, Uyghur, Miao, Korean, Yi, and Zhuang peoples.

The ethnic minority population reaches 192,000, accounting for 9.9% of the total, among which Mongolians number 177,000, making up 9.1% of the city's population.

The region’s vast land and low population density have allowed the Mongolian people to preserve their pastoral traditions, giving Ordos the reputation of a “land of songs and dances.” Ordos people are known for being warm, hospitable, and naturally gifted in singing and dancing, often welcoming guests with khata scarves, fine liquor, music, and dance as symbols of respect and friendship.

Ethnic

Mongolian: The Mongolian people of Ordos have preserved rich pastoral traditions, known for their music, dance, horseback culture, and warm hospitality.

Manchu: The Manchu community contributes unique folk customs and craftsmanship to Ordos, reflecting a heritage shaped by both nomadic and imperial influences.

Hui:The Hui people are recognized for their vibrant Islamic traditions, distinctive cuisine, and harmonious integration into Ordos’s multicultural society.

Tibetan: The Tibetan population brings spiritual depth to Ordos with Buddhist cultural practices, traditional arts, and a strong sense of ritual and heritage.

Uyghur: The Uyghur community enriches Ordos with its lively music, graceful dance traditions, and flavorful culinary culture rooted in Xinjiang heritage.

Ethnic clothing

Traditional Ordos attire reflects the region’s nomadic heritage and aesthetic refinement.

Men’s Mongolian robes are typically loose and short in length, made from blue or brown fabrics or leather. They feature long sleeves and a high collar, a practical design well suited for horseback riding and daily labor.

Women’s Mongolian robes, by contrast, are long, fitted, and elegant—extending to the feet with side slits for ease of movement. The hems are often decorated with cloud motifs or floral embroidery, emphasizing graceful curves and refined craftsmanship.

A belt is an essential accessory. Unmarried women tie their belts with tassels left hanging at the back, while married women wear a sleeveless vest and adorn themselves with distinctive silver headpieces, known locally as toudai. These headpieces, crafted on a silver base and inlaid with coral, turquoise, agate, and other stones, vary in style across different banners.

The headpiece-making tradition of Ordos women is recognized as an Inner Mongolia–level intangible cultural heritage, showcasing the region’s artistry and cultural continuity.

Local Dialect

The official languages of Ordos are Standard Mandarin and the Ordos dialect of Mongolian, both of which are used in formal settings.

Traditional Festival and Special Custom

Ordos is a minority region where Mongolians form the main ethnic group and Han people make up the majority of the population. The area preserves many traditional Mongolian customs, while also showcasing a vibrant blend of folk culture shaped by long-standing harmony between Mongolian and Han communities and the interaction between nomadic and agrarian lifestyles.

Wedding Customs of the Ordos Mongolians: Traditional Ordos Mongolian weddings retain many ancient and distinctive rituals; each filled with cultural symbolism and festive charm. These include “grabbing the hat,” in which the bride and groom playfully snatch each other’s hats as a sign of affection; “presenting tea,” where the bride serves tea to her parents-in-law as a gesture of respect; and “escorting the bride,” in which the bride’s relatives accompany her to the groom’s home. Together, these customs create a wedding celebration rich in warmth, humor, and ethnic character.

Ordos International Naadam Festival: Held every summer, the Ordos International Naadam Festival is one of the most important showcases of traditional Mongolian culture. The festival features thrilling competitions in the “Three Manly Skills”—horse racing, wrestling, and archery—alongside vibrant song-and-dance performances, trade fairs, food festivals, and cultural exhibitions. The event attracts visitors from across China and around the world, offering a grand, joyful celebration of Mongolian heritage.

Mare’s Milk Festival (Zhulage): Celebrated by Mongolian communities in late August of the lunar calendar, this traditional harvest festival centers on drinking fermented mare’s milk, symbolizing pastoral hopes for health, happiness, good fortune, and the prosperity of both people and livestock. The one-day celebration features serving hand-pulled mutton to guests, thrilling horse races, folk singers offering musical blessings, and ceremonial tributes to respected traditional Mongolian doctors.

The Genghis Khan Tribute Ceremonies: at the Mausoleum of Genghis Khan in Ordos are deeply rooted in tradition and have been continuously observed for more than 800 years. These rituals are held four times a year, corresponding to the four seasons of the lunar calendar, and each has its own specific timing, ceremonial content, and procedures. The seasonally themed sacrifices culminate in the Spring Sacrifice on the 21st day of the third lunar month, the Summer Sacrifice on the 15th day of the fifth lunar month, the Autumn Sacrifice on the 12th day of the ninth lunar month, and a Winter Ceremony on the 3rd day of the tenth lunar month. Among them, the Spring Sacrifice is the grandest and most solemn, attracting large gatherings of worshippers.

During these ceremonies, especially the Spring Sacrifice, members of the Darhut community dress in traditional attire, chant ancient liturgical texts, and present offerings such as a whole roasted sheep and milk wine to honor Genghis Khan. Participants pray devoutly for peaceful weather, abundant harvests, thriving livestock, and general well-being and auspiciousness for all.

Diet Style and Culinary Tastes

The traditional diet of the Ordos Mongolian people is built on three pillars: dairy, meat, and grains, with dairy and meat forming the core of their distinctive flavor traditions. Dairy products—respectfully known as “white foods”—include rich staples such as butter, curds, milk tofu, and dried milk skin, as well as everyday drinks like milk tea, fermented milk, yogurt, and aromatic dairy liquor.

Meat dishes, referred to as “red foods,” primarily feature beef, camel, and mutton, while horse meat is regarded as the finest delicacy. These culinary traditions not only suited the demands of a historical nomadic lifestyle but today continue to serve as a delicious expression of the Ordos Mongolians’ unique cultural identity.

Cultural Heritage

Ordos is home to more than 1,000 historical and cultural sites. Among these, twelve are recognized as national key cultural heritage sites. They include the Silaosu Cultural Site, the Zhukaigou Cultural Site, the Warring States Qin Great Wall, the Arzai Grottoes, the Genghis Khan Mausoleum, and the Qin Straight Road Site.

The city also preserves six forms of national-level intangible cultural heritage. These include the Genghis Khan sacrificial ceremony, the Ordos wedding tradition, Ordos short folk songs, Manhan tunes, Guru chants, and the Chahansulide sacrificial ritual.

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