Ordos (鄂尔多斯)

1. Introduction

Ordos City (Mongolian: ᠣᠷᠳᠣᠰ ᠬᠣᠲᠠ, Hanyu Pinyin letters: Ördös höt, Sino-Mongolian Hudum transliteration: Ordos xota) is a prefecture-level city under the jurisdiction of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China. It is located in the southwestern part of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and was formerly known as Ih Juu League (Mongolian: , Hanyu Pinyin letters: Ih Jütl Aimag, Sino-Mongolian Hudum transliteration: Yexe Juu ayimag). The city borders Hohhot City and Xinzhou City of Shanxi Province to the east; Yulin City of Shaanxi Province and Wuzhong City of Ningxia to the south; Alxa League, Wuhai City, Shizuishan City of Ningxia, and Yinchuan City to the west; and Baotou City and Bayannur City to the north. It is situated on the Ordos Plateau, with the Hobq Desert in the northwest, the Mu Us Desert in the south, hilly and gully terrain in the east, and the alluvial plain of the Yellow River in the north. The Yellow River flows along the eastern, northern, and western boundaries of the city. The Han Chinese population accounts for 90% of the city's total population, while the Mongolian population makes up 9%. The name "Ordos" originates from the Ordos Plateau and can be traced back to the Mongolian tribe—the Ordos tribe, meaning "many palaces" in Mongolian. The People's Government of Ordos City is located on Shifu South Street. Ordos is rich in coal resources, with approximately 80% of its area containing coal reserves. It also has abundant reserves of petroleum, natural gas, and rare earth minerals. Since their development began in the late 20th century, the city's economic output has grown rapidly, earning it a reputation for its strong economic development momentum. In 2015, Ordos City ranked first in China in terms of per capita gross regional product. It is recognized as a National Civilized City and a National Hygienic City.

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2. History

"Ordos" originates from the Ordos Tümen. This tribe derived its name from the plural form of "ordo" (Mongolian: ). "Ordo" originally meant a palace tent and was also a term for the guard troops of Genghis Khan's "Eight White Yurts". ### Prehistoric Culture

At the southern end of the Ordos grassland, there is a river. It originates in Dingbian County in northwestern Shaanxi, flows through Otog Banner and Uxin Banner in Inner Mongolia, then turns east at Batowan Village into northern Shaanxi, converging with the Xiangshui River before flowing southeast into the Wuding River, a tributary of the Yellow River. On the loose strata of the Mu Us Desert, it has carved out a U-shaped river valley. This river is called the Salawusu River. "Salawusu" in Mongolian means "yellow water," indicating the river's perpetually muddy yellow hue; its banks are lined with swaying red willows, so people also call it the "Red Willow River." It is precisely in this river area.

In 1922, French Catholic priest Émile Licent first discovered a fossil of a "Hetao Man" incisor tooth here. Subsequently, Chinese archaeologists have conducted multiple on-site investigations. The numerous cultural relics unearthed prove that as early as 35,000 years ago, "Hetao Man" lived here. The material culture created by "Hetao Man" is now referred to as "Salawusu Culture." Through comprehensive analysis and research of geology, animal fossils, and stone tools, Salawusu Culture has been identified as a late Paleolithic culture.

Hetao Culture is a product of the fusion of grassland culture and Yellow River culture. Its own long process of formation and development, as well as its complex evolution and transmission, particularly its relationship with Urad and Ordos Mongolian cultures, also illustrates the connection between Hetao Culture and Yellow River culture. Hetao Culture is one of the important components of mainstream northern grassland culture. Within grassland culture, Hetao Culture is both a source and a tributary. As a source, it shares a historical accumulation of co-existence and co-development with northern grassland cultures. As a tributary, it differs from classic Mongolian cultures like the Hongshan Culture and Horchin Culture in eastern Inner Mongolia, having its own unique developmental trajectory. Within the origins and streams of grassland culture, it is a cultural system that originated in the late Paleolithic era, began with the rise of ancient minority ethnic groups, formed during the military garrison farming of the Qin, Han, Ming, and Qing dynasties, and continues into the modern and contemporary era of new civilization. It is an independent cultural sphere within the rich tapestry of grassland culture, a complete regional cultural system that holds a significant position in the composition of grassland culture.

2.1 Ancient History

Before the Zhou Dynasty, it was an area inhabited by nomadic peoples such as the Guifang, Linhu, and Loufan. By the end of the 5th century BC, the area around present-day Jungar Banner in eastern Ordos became part of the Shang Commandery of the State of Wei. In the 10th year of King Huiwen of Qin (328 BC), Wei was defeated by Qin and ceded Shang Commandery to Qin. Subsequently, the State of Qin established Beidi Commandery in the southwestern part of Ordos (present-day Otog Front Banner, Otog Banner, and adjacent areas). The rest of the territory remained a settlement area for nomadic tribes like the Loufan. In the 20th year of King Wuling of Zhao (306 BC), Zhao defeated the Linhu and Loufan, establishing Yunzhong Commandery and Jiuyuan Commandery in the northeastern part of Ordos.

In the 26th year of Qin Shi Huang (221 BC), Qin Shi Huang unified China and established commanderies and counties in the present-day Ordos area: Otog Banner and Otog Front Banner belonged to Beidi Commandery; eastern Jungar Banner and Ejin Horo Banner belonged to Yunzhong Commandery; Dalad Banner and northern Jungar Banner belonged to Jiuyuan Commandery; Uxin Banner, southern Otog Front Banner, and southern Ejin Horo Banner belonged to Beidi Commandery. These four commanderies governed 34 counties. During the Qin and Han dynasties, Ordos acquired two ancient names: "Heneidi" (Land South of the River) and "Xinqinzhong" (New Qinzhong). "Heneidi" referred to the land south of the Yellow River, as Feng Gu Wang (King Feng Gu) was once called the King of Henan. The Qin and Han dynasties repeatedly relocated immigrants and garrison soldiers to "Heneidi," i.e., the Hetao region. As many people from the original Qinzhong area moved north to the Hetao region, it gained the title "Xinqinzhong."

From 212 to 210 BC, Qin Shi Huang ordered Meng Tian to supervise the construction of the important military road, the Qin Straight Road. The Qin Straight Road started from Linyang Palace in Yunyang, a military stronghold near the capital Xianyang, and extended north to Jiuyuan Commandery. It passed through Ordos City, traversing three banners and one district. Today, Ordos City has established a protection unit for the Qin Straight Road ruins. Shuofang Commandery was one of the northern frontier commanderies of the Han Dynasty, established during the reign of Emperor Wu of the Western Han. In 127 BC (the 2nd year of the Yuanshou era), Emperor Wu dispatched Wei Qing and Li Xi to attack the Xiongnu. Setting out from Yunzhong Commandery, they marched west past Gaoque, then further west to Fuli (present-day northern Gansu), recovering the territory south of the Hetao region originally under the Qin dynasty (commonly called "Xinqinzhong"). They established Shuofang Commandery in the river valley south of the Yin Mountains. It has been confirmed that the site of Shuofang County town was in the northwestern part of present-day Otog Banner.

2.2 Medieval History

In the 9th year of the Kaihuang era of the Sui Dynasty (589 AD), the Sui Dynasty established Yulin Commandery in the area of present-day Jungar Banner, Dalad Banner, and Dongsheng District, governing Yulin County, Fuchang County, and Quanhe County. In the adjacent areas of present-day Uxin Banner and Otog Banner, they established Shuofang Commandery, governing Yanlü County, Ningshuo County, Dejing County, and Changze County. Along the border areas of present-day Dalad Banner and Hanggin Banner, they established Wuyuan Commandery. In the 5th year of the Kaihuang era (585 AD), they had established Feng Prefecture here, governing Jiuyuan County, Yongfeng County, Anhua County, and Datong City. In the area along the Yellow River in present-day Otog Banner and Otog Front Banner, they established Lingwu Commandery, governing Huaiyuan County, Lingwu County, Huile County, Hongjing County, and Feng'an County. In the area of present-day Otog Banner and Otog Front Banner, they established Yanzhou Commandery, governing Wuyuan County. At the northernmost tip of present-day Jungar Banner in Ordos City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, in the Shierliancheng Township, the ruins of an ancient city remain to this day, named Shierliancheng (Twelve Connected Cities). Shierliancheng was formed by connecting twelve cities. According to the "Yuanhe Junxian Zhi," Shierliancheng was originally the Sui and Tang victory city of Yulin, built in the 3rd year of Emperor Wen of Sui's Kaihuang era, i.e., 583 AD. At that time, the city was located at a strategic point.

After the establishment of the Tang Dynasty, Emperor Gaozong, in the 3rd year of the Xianheng era (672 AD), incorporated the present-day Ordos region into the Guannei Circuit. In eastern present-day Jungar Banner and Dongsheng District, he established Sheng Prefecture, governing Yulin County and Hebin County. In southern present-day Ejin Horo Banner and the Uxin Banner area, he established Xia Prefecture, governing Yanlü County, Dejing County, Ningshuo County, and Changze County. In present-day Otog Banner and Otog Front Banner, he established You Prefecture, governing Yan'en County, Guiren County, Huaide County, and Changze County. In southern Otog Front Banner, he established Yan Prefecture, governing Wuyuan County. In western areas of present-day Otog Banner and Otog Front Banner, he established Ling Prefecture, governing Huaiyuan County. In northern Hanggin Banner, he established Feng Prefecture, governing Jiuyuan County and Yongfeng County. By the late Tang, Ordos was occupied by the Lingwu Military Commissioner (also known as the Shuofang or Lingyan Military Commissioner) and the Zhenwu Military Commissioner.

2.3 Modern and Contemporary History

During the mainland period of the Republic of China, the Suiyuan Special Administrative Region was established, later changed to Suiyuan Province, with the Yeke Juu League (Ikh Juu League) set up. After the Marco Polo Bridge Incident in 1937, Japanese forces occupied Guisui (present-day Hohhot) on October 14, 1937, and Baotou on October 17. Japanese troops and the puppet Mongolian army's 4th and 8th Divisions crossed the Yellow River southward, occupying the riparian areas of Dalad Banner, the Donghetaochuan area of Jungar Banner, Dayingpan, Qibuyaozi, as well as the suburbs of Dongsheng City, the palace of Hanggin Banner, and Tiaolimin in Otog Banner, among other places. The nobility of the seven banners of the Yeke Juu League also became unsettled. The prince of Dalad Banner, Kangdadorji, the Dalad Banner Security Commander Zhang Jingwen, and the regiment commander of the banner's security regiment, Senggailinqing, defected to the Japanese and were appointed as "Commander of the Ordos Mongolian Advance Force." Ordos suddenly transformed from a rear area into the front line of the War of Resistance. On January 21, 1938, taking advantage of the frozen Yellow River, the puppet Mongolian army's 8th Division, under...

3. Geography

Ordos City covers an area of 86,882 square kilometers. The Ordos Plateau constitutes the main landform. It features a temperate semi-arid climate, which is relatively dry, with the Mu Us Desert being predominant within its territory. The terrain is undulating, higher in the northwest and lower in the southeast, with complex topography. It is surrounded by the Yellow River on the north, east, and west sides, and connects to the Loess Plateau in the south. The landform types are diverse, including lush grassland and open, gentle undulating plateaus. There are five major landform types within Ordos City: plains account for approximately 4.33% of the total land area, hilly and mountainous areas for about 18.91%, undulating plateaus for about 28.81%, the Mu Us Sandy Land for about 28.78%, and the Kubuqi Desert for about 19.17%. The Yellow River flows along the northern part of the city, and its banks form the city's prime area.

Ordos belongs to the northern temperate semi-arid continental climate zone, with significant temperature variations between winter and summer. The multi-year average temperature is 6.2°C, with a recorded maximum daily temperature of 38°C and a minimum daily temperature of -31.4°C. The multi-year average precipitation is 348.3 mm, concentrated mainly in July, August, and September, accounting for about 70% of the annual precipitation. The multi-year average evaporation is 2506.3 mm, which is 7.2 times the precipitation, with the highest evaporation occurring from May to July. Westerly and northwesterly winds prevail throughout the year. The average annual wind speed is 3.6 m/s, with a maximum wind speed reaching 22 m/s and a corresponding maximum wind pressure of 0.6 kN/m².

Meteorological Data for Ordos City (1971–2000)

| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year | |------|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|------|------|------|------| | Record high °C (°F) | 7.8 (46.0) | 13.9 (57.0) | 19.4 (66.9) | 32.2 (90.0) | 32.9 (91.2) | 32.2 (90.0) | 35.3 (95.5) | 33.3 (91.9) | 33.3 (91.9) | 24.4 (75.9) | 18.2 (64.8) | 10.6 (51.1) | 35.3 (95.5) | | Average high °C (°F) | -4.8 (23.4) | -1.3 (29.7) | 5.2 (41.4) | 14.1 (57.4) | 20.8 (69.4) | 25.0 (77.0) | 26.7 (80.1) | 24.5 (76.1) | 19.4 (66.9) | 12.6 (54.7) | 4.0 (39.2) | -2.9 (26.8) | 11.9 (53.5) | | Daily mean °C (°F) | -10.5 (13.1) | -7.2 (19.0) | -0.5 (31.1) | 7.7 (45.9) | 14.6 (58.3) | 19.1 (66.4) | 21.0 (69.8) | 19.1 (66.4) | 13.8 (56.8) | 6.8 (44.2) | -1.7 (28.9) | -8.3 (17.1) | 6.2 (43.1) | | Average low °C (°F) | -14.7 (5.5) | -11.5 (11.3) | -5.4 (22.3) | 1.9 (35.4) | 8.4 (47.1) | 13.0 (55.4) | 15.8 (60.4) | 14.3 (57.7) | 8.8 (47.8) | 2.1 (35.8) | -5.9 (21.4) | -12.3 (9.9) | 1.2 (34.2) | | Record low °C (°F) | -28.4 (−19.1) | -27.5 (−17.5) | -22.8 (−9.0) | -11.6 (11.1) | -4.8 (23.4) | 1.7 (35.1) | 9.1 (48.4) | 4.3 (39.7) | -2.1 (28.2) | -13.6 (7.5) | -21.8 (−7.2) | -25.3 (−13.5) | -28.4 (−19.1) | | Average precipitation mm (inches) | 2.1 (0.08) | 4.4 (0.17) | 10.8 (0.43) | 11.4 (0.45) | 25.8 (1.02) | 44.8 (1.76) | 105.7 (4.16) | 105.5 (4.15) | 44.7 (1.76) | 19.4 (0.76) | 5.3 (0.21) | 1.3 (0.05) | 381.2 (15) | | Average precipitation days (≥0.1 mm) | 2.1 | 2.9 | 4.3 | 3.4 | 5.9 | 8.7 | 12.2 | 11.9 | 8.1 | 4.4 | 2.6 | 1.9 | 68.4 |

3.1. Resources

Ordos produces approximately one-third of China's and one-quarter of the world's cashmere products. Its proven natural gas reserves are about 188 billion cubic meters, accounting for one-third of the national total, with production making up one-sixth of the national output. Proven reserves of rare earth kaolin account for half of the national total. The Dongsheng Coalfield is located within its territory. Proven coal reserves exceed 149.6 billion tons, representing about one-sixth of China's total reserves, making Ordos the city with the largest coal production in China. Coal is buried beneath 70% of the land surface across its more than 87,000 square kilometers. The proven oil and gas reserves in Otog Banner amount to 1.1 billion cubic meters. Ordos also boasts a comprehensive variety of abundant chemical resources, mainly including natural soda, mirabilite, salt, sulfur, peat, as well as associated resources such as potash salt, magnesium salt, and phosphate rock.

4. Administrative Divisions

Ordos City currently administers 2 municipal districts and 7 banners.

• Municipal Districts: Dongsheng District, Kangbashi District
• Banners: Dalad Banner, Jungar Banner, Otog Front Banner, Otog Banner, Hanggin Banner, Uxin Banner, Ejin Horo Banner

| Division Code | Division Name Traditional Mongolian Script | Chinese Pinyin Latin Transliteration | Area (km²) | Resident Population (2020 Census) | Government Seat | Postal Code | Subdistricts | Towns | Townships | Sums | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | 150600 | Ordos City ᠣᠷᠳᠣᠰ ᠬᠤᠳᠡ | È'ěrduōsī Shì Ordos qota | 86,881.61 | 2,153,638 | Kangbashi District | 017000 | 26 | 43 | 2 | 6 | | 150602 | Dongsheng District ᠳ᠋ᠦᠩᠱᠧᠩ ᠲᠣᠭᠤᠷᠢᠭ | Dōngshèng Qū Düngšëng toγoriγ | 2,160 | 574,242 | Tianjiao Subdistrict | 017000 | 12 | 3 | | | | 150603 | Kangbashi District ᠬᠢᠶ᠎ᠠ ᠪᠠᠭᠰᠢ ᠲᠣᠭᠤᠷᠢᠭ | Kāngbāshí Qū Kiy-a baγsi toγoriγ | 372.55 | 118,796 | Binhe Subdistrict | 017010 | 4 | | | | | 150621 | Dalad Banner ᠳᠠᠯᠠᠳ ᠬᠤᠰᠢᠭᠤ | Dálātè Qí Dalad qosiγu | 8,241.07 | 328,593 | Gongye Subdistrict | 014300 | 6 | 8 | | 1 | | 150622 | Jungar Banner ᠵᠡᠭᠦᠨᠭᠠᠷ ᠬᠤᠰᠢᠭᠤ | Zhǔngé'ěr Qí J̌egünγar qosiγu | 7,550.79 | 359,184 | Xinglong Subdistrict | 010300 | 4 | 7 | 2 | 1 | | 150623 | Otog Front Banner ᠣᠲᠤᠭ ᠤᠨ ᠡᠮᠦᠨᠡᠲᠦ ᠬᠤᠰᠢᠭᠤ | Ètuōkè Qián Qí Otoγ-un emünedü qosiγu | 12,220.86 | 92,724 | Olog Qiq Town | 016200 | | 4 | | | | 150624 | Otog Banner ᠣᠲᠤᠭ ᠬᠤᠰᠢᠭᠤ | Ètuōkè Qí Otoγ qosiγu | 20,367.18 | 162,726 | Ulan Town | 016100 | | 4 | | 2 | | 150625 | Hanggin Banner ᠬᠠᠩᠭᠢᠨ ᠬᠤᠰᠢᠭᠤ | Hángjǐn Qí Qangγin qosiγu | 18,814.30 | 110,824 | Xini Town | 017400 | | 5 | | 1 | | 150626 | Uxin Banner ᠦᠦᠰᠢᠨ ᠬᠤᠰᠢᠭᠤ | Wūshěn Qí Üüsin qosiγu | 11,674.14 | 158,566 | Galut Town | 017300 | | 5 | | 1 | | 150627 | Ejin Horo Banner ᠡᠵᠡᠨ ᠬᠤᠷᠤᠭ᠎ᠠ ᠬᠤᠰᠢᠭᠤ | Yījīnhuòluò Qí Ejen qoroγ-a qosiγu | 5,486.81 | 247,983 | Altanshiree Town | 017200 | | 7 | | |

5. Economy

Since 1994, Ordos has experienced robust economic expansion. Throughout the entire Ninth Five-Year Plan period, its Gross National Product soared at an average annual rate of 20%, maintaining the highest growth rate in Inner Mongolia for seven consecutive years and tripling its economic aggregate within nine years.

In 2004, Ordos ranked first among Chinese cities in per capita fixed asset investment, per capita GNP growth, as well as in the output of cashmere and coal. Its astonishing development speed and efficiency formed what is known as the "Ordos Phenomenon."

The city's GDP surged from 15 billion yuan in 2000 to 55 billion yuan in 2005. By 2010, the economic aggregate exceeded 80 billion yuan, fiscal revenue surpassed 8 billion yuan, and the per capita income of urban residents approached 20,000 yuan. According to the 2009 Statistical Bulletin on National Economic and Social Development of Ordos City, the city's GDP reached 216.1 billion yuan in 2009, with a per capita GDP of 134,361 yuan, equivalent to $19,672 USD. The per capita disposable income of urban residents was 21,883 yuan, while the per capita net income of rural residents was 7,803 yuan. Ordos is now the second-largest economic center in Inner Mongolia, with economic strength second only to Baotou, the region's largest city, and ranks first in the region in terms of total GDP.

In 2011, preliminary calculations showed that the city's regional Gross Domestic Product (GDP) exceeded 300 billion yuan, reaching 321.85 billion yuan, representing a year-on-year growth of 15.1% at comparable prices. Specifically, the value added of the primary industry was 8.32 billion yuan, up 4.9%; the secondary industry achieved an added value of 193.36 billion yuan, up 16.8%; and the tertiary industry realized an added value of 120.17 billion yuan, up 13.2%. The city's total local fiscal revenue continued its rapid growth, reaching 79.65 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 48.0%. Within this, general budget revenue was 34.62 billion yuan, up 44.8% year-on-year. This included 3.31 billion yuan at the municipal level, up 65.4%, and 31.30 billion yuan at the banner/county/district level, up 42.9%.

In 2020, the city's regional GDP was 353.366 billion yuan, ranking first in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region for three consecutive years, with fiscal revenue at 46.49 billion yuan.

In 2022, the city's GDP reached 561.344 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 5.4% (after deducting price factors). Based on this data, Ordos's per capita GDP was 256,908 yuan, which converted to an average annual exchange rate equals $38,196 USD. The city's economic aggregate ranked first in Inner Mongolia and 45th among all prefecture-level cities in China. Its per capita GDP was the highest nationwide, surpassing first-tier cities like Shanghai and Beijing, being approximately 1.4 times that of Shanghai and Beijing. The per capita GDP level has also exceeded that of countries such as Japan and South Korea.

5.1. Major Enterprises

• Ordos Group
• Inner Mongolia Yitai Group
• Wanzheng Investment Group
• Ordos Dongfang Road & Bridge Group
• Inner Mongolia Xingtai Real Estate Group
• Elion Resources Group
• Ordos Wulan Coal Group
• Dongda Mongolian King Group
• Inner Mongolia Manshi Coal Group
• Inner Mongolia Yidong Coal Group
• Inner Mongolia Hengxin Group, Inner Mongolia Changshi Group

6. Transportation

6.1. Highways

Passenger transport in Ordos primarily relies on road transportation, with major expressways including the Baotou–Maoming Expressway and the Rongcheng–Wuhai Expressway. In Ordos City, due to high pressure on road passenger transport, traffic jams sometimes occur on expressways or national highways.

• File: Kokudou 109 (East-West) and 210 (North-South) (China).svg National Highways 109 (east-west) and 210 (north-south) pass through the area.

6.2. Railway

Ordos City is the prefecture-level city with the longest railway mileage in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. However, most of the railways are currently used mainly for freight, and the actual passenger transport capacity remains to be developed. Ordos is also one of the most active regions in China for privately funded railways, with the Ordos–Hong Kong Railway being the longest privately funded railway in China.

• Main passenger railway: Baotou–Xi'an Railway
• Intercity passenger railways: Hohhot–Zhungeer–Ordos Intercity Railway, Baotou–Ordos Intercity Railway
• Main passenger stations: Dongsheng Station, Ordos Station

6.3. Aviation

Ordos City has one regional hub airport and four commuter airports. Ordos Ejin Horo International Airport is located in Bultaige Township, Ejin Horo Banner, 45 kilometers north of Dongsheng District and 18 kilometers from Kangbashi District. It is a 4D-level regional hub airport with two terminals, serving over 30 domestic cities and offering international flights to destinations such as South Korea and Thailand. It is the fourth open aviation port in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.

6.4. Public Transportation

6.4.1. Bus

• Regular bus: Buses within Dongsheng District and Kangbashi District generally charge a flat fare of 1 yuan per person regardless of distance, payable by coin or citizen card.
• Express bus lines: Include K21, K22, K23, K24, K25, K26, Dongsheng Airport Shuttle, and Kangbashi–Ejin Horo Airport Bus, with fares calculated based on distance.
• BRT: Plans include the construction of five BRT lines, combining above-ground and underground modes, with a total length of 199 kilometers.

6.4.2. Taxi

Simplified taxi fare calculation: Starting fare of 7 yuan, with an additional 1.5 yuan per kilometer beyond the initial distance. For trips exceeding 20 kilometers without a return passenger, a 50% empty return fee is charged.

6.4.3. Rail Transit

• Dongsheng–Kangbashi Express Rail (Airport Express Rail): This railway starts at Dongsheng Station, passes through Kangbashi New District, and ends at Ordos Airport, with a total length of 59 kilometers. It includes 8 stations, with 2 reserved for future construction. Among them, there is one underground station, two elevated stations, and three ground-level stations, with provisions for extension to the Genghis Khan Mausoleum tourist area. Construction of this line has already commenced.
• Tram: Plans include the construction of two new tram lines, combining above-ground and underground modes, with a total length of 55 kilometers.

7. Education

Ordos City implements twelve years of free compulsory education from primary school through high school. It provides completely free compulsory education from kindergarten through university for impoverished Mongolian students studying in Mongolian-language instruction. Additionally, it offers financial rewards and subsidies to any student admitted to an undergraduate program, with the amount varying according to the admission tier.

7.1. Higher Education

• Ordos Institute of Technology (Undergraduate)
• Inner Mongolia University Ordos College (Undergraduate)
• Ordos Vocational College (Specialized College)
• Ordos Eco-Environmental Vocational College (Specialized College)

7.2. Public Libraries

Ordos City Library, Dongsheng District Library, Dongsheng District Children's Library, Ejin Horo Banner Library, Dalad Banner Library, Jungar Banner Library, Otog Banner Library, Uxin Banner Library, Hanggin Banner Library, Otog Front Banner Library.

7.3. Public Museums & Exhibition Centers

Ordos Museum, Ordos Bronze Museum, Mongolian Culture Museum, Ordos Farming Culture Museum, Xiongnu Culture Museum, Dongsheng District Bronze Museum, Ordos Revolutionary History Memorial Hall, Qin Straight Road Museum, Donglian Farming Museum, Ordos Art Center, Ordos Convention and Exhibition Center, Ordos Art Museum, Ordos Land and Resources Exhibition Hall, Ordos Urban Planning Exhibition Hall, Dongsheng District Art Museum (Songling Yuan), Dongsheng District Convention and Exhibition Center, Textile Exhibition Hall, Dongsheng District Science and Technology Museum, Dongsheng District Children's Palace, Desert Museum, Kubuqi Desert Botanical Museum, Future World Youth Education Center.

8. Population

According to the 2010 Sixth National Population Census, the city's permanent resident population was 1,940,653. Compared with the Fifth National Population Census, the population increased by 545,212 over the ten-year period, a growth of 39.07%. The average annual growth rate was 3.35%. Among them, the male population was 1,105,638, accounting for 56.97%; the female population was 835,015, accounting for 43.03%. The sex ratio of the permanent resident population (with females as 100) was 132.41. The population aged 0-14 was 273,341, accounting for 14.09%; the population aged 15-64 was 1,550,878, accounting for 79.91%; and the population aged 65 and above was 116,434, accounting for 6.00%.

At the end of 2015, the permanent resident population was 2.0451 million; the registered household population was 1.573 million, an increase of 14,000 from the end of the previous year. Among them, the urban population was 1.4955 million, the rural population was 549,600, and the urbanization rate was 73.13%. The number of births was 18,800, with a birth rate of 9.21‰; the number of deaths was 9,000, with a death rate of 4.41‰; the natural growth rate was 4.8‰.

According to the 2020 Seventh National Population Census, the city's permanent resident population was 2,153,638. Compared with the 1,940,653 people from the Sixth National Population Census, the population increased by 212,985 over the ten-year period, a growth of 10.97%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.05%. Among them, the male population was 1,154,944, accounting for 53.63% of the total population; the female population was 998,694, accounting for 46.37% of the total population. The overall sex ratio (with females as 100) was 115.65. The population aged 0-14 was 389,275, accounting for 18.08% of the total population; the population aged 15-59 was 1,440,422, accounting for 66.88% of the total population; the population aged 60 and above was 323,941, accounting for 15.04% of the total population, of which the population aged 65 and above was 211,059, accounting for 9.8% of the total population. The population living in urban areas was 1,667,962, accounting for 77.45% of the total population; the population living in rural areas was 485,676, accounting for 22.55% of the total population.

At the end of 2021, the permanent resident population was 2.1684 million, an increase of 12,800 from the end of the previous year. Among them, the urban population was 1.6931 million, an increase of 23,900 from the end of the previous year; the rural population was 475,300, a decrease of 11,100 from the end of the previous year; the urbanization rate of the permanent resident population reached 78.08%, an increase of 0.63 percentage points from the previous year. The number of births was 17,100, with a birth rate of 7.91‰; the number of deaths was 11,800, with a death rate of 5.44‰. The natural population growth rate was 2.47‰.

At the end of 2022, the permanent resident population was 2.2007 million, an increase of 32,300 year-on-year.

8.1. Ethnic Groups

Among the permanent resident population in 2010, the Han population was 1,748,549, accounting for 90.10%; the Mongolian population was 176,912, accounting for 9.12%; and the population of other ethnic minorities was 15,192, accounting for 0.78%.

Among the city's permanent resident population in 2020, the Han population was 1,924,091, accounting for 89.34%; the Mongolian population was 208,259, accounting for 9.67%; and the population of other ethnic minorities was 21,288, accounting for 0.99%. Compared with the 2010 Sixth National Population Census, the Han population increased by 175,542, a growth of 10.04%, but its proportion of the total population decreased by 0.76 percentage points; the total population of ethnic minorities increased by 37,443, a growth of 19.49%, and their proportion of the total population increased by 0.76 percentage points. Among them, the Mongolian population increased by 31,347, a growth of 17.72%, and its proportion of the total population increased by 0.55 percentage points.

| Ethnic Group | Han | Mongolian | Manchu | Hui | Tibetan | Miao | Yi | Daur | Tujia | Korean | Other Ethnic Groups | |------------------|-------------|---------------|------------|-----------|-------------|------------|------------|--------------|------------|------------|-------------------------| | Population | 1,924,091 | 208,259 | 9,072 | 6,401 | 1,026 | 705 | 646 | 528 | 443 | 314 | 2,153 | | % of Total Population | 89.34 | 9.67 | 0.42 | 0.30 | 0.05 | 0.03 | 0.03 | 0.02 | 0.02 | 0.01 | 0.10 | | % of Minority Population | — | 90.73 | 3.95 | 2.79 | 0.45 | 0.31 | 0.28 | 0.23 | 0.19 | 0.14 | 0.94 |

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9. Sister Cities

• Erdenet, Mongolia
• Brunswick, United States
• Montana, Switzerland (joint municipality)

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The Ordos tribe, named after "numerous palaces."

Kangbashi District

Dongsheng District

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Poplar

Lilac