Zhaojun City

Zhaojun City

Zhaojun City is a national AAA-level tourist attraction and a cultural heritage site protected by Ordos.

Zhaojun City, originally named "Dalad Banner Zhaojun Tomb Tourist Reception Station." In 33 BC, Wang Zhaojun, on her way to marry the Xiongnu Chanyu Huhanye as part of a peace alliance between the Han and Xiongnu, passed through this area and had a temporary palace built here. The Zhaojun City tourist area is located in Zhaojun Tomb Township, Dalad Banner, Ordos City, right next to our Mother River—the Yellow River—and faces the famous steel base—Baotou Steel, across the river. The site belongs to Zhongcun by the Zhaojun Tomb riverside in Dalad Banner and faces Baotou Steel, a key national steel base, across the river. It is also a necessary stop for tour groups from Baotou and Hohhot en route to the desert oasis of Engebei, making its geographical location highly advantageous. It is a key cultural heritage protection site in Ordos and a national AAA-level tourist destination.

Covering an area of 1,000 mu (approximately 66.7 hectares), Zhaojun City includes an artificial lake spanning 230 mu. The main attraction within the city is the Zhaojun Tomb, a natural hill standing 80 meters high and about 210 meters in diameter. The hill is covered with lush green grass and dotted with peculiar rocks—each rock forming a unique scene or sounding distinct. Notable formations include "Gazing at Chang’an" and "The Golden Cicada Watching the Moon," which are remarkably lifelike. On the tomb stands the Zhaojun Shrine, along with a deep and mysterious karst cave and underground river. Recently added attractions such as a "CS shooting range, children’s playground, beacon tower, Sun-Moon Altar, and Heqin Hall" complement historical and cultural sites like the Qin Direct Road, Baifen Slope, Falling Goose Cliff, Ruanruan Liu City, and Jinjin Ancient Ferry, enriching the area’s profound cultural heritage. These draw numerous visitors to stand atop the Zhaojun Tomb, gaze north at the Yin Mountains like a screen and the Yellow River like a ribbon, or south to the green fields like a carpet and the desert like snow—a view that is both refreshing and unforgettable.

The Zhaojun City tourist area gets its name from 33 BC, when Wang Zhaojun passed through this area on her way to marry the Xiongnu Chanyu as part of a Han-Xiongnu peace alliance and had a temporary palace built here. It is a national AAA-level tourist attraction and is currently a key cultural heritage protection site in Ordos.

The site is located in Hecun Village, Zhaojun Town, Dalad Banner, facing Baotou Steel, a major national steel base, across the river. It is also a necessary stop for tour groups from Baotou and Hohhot traveling to the desert oasis of Engebei, giving it a highly favorable geographical position. Zhaojun City Tourist Area is a comprehensive destination integrating sightseeing, dining, accommodation, water recreation, horseback riding, shooting, and more. With an annual reception capacity of 100,000 visitors, it officially opened in July 2002 and continued construction while operating.

Source: Dalad Banner Government Website