Erlian Border Gate

Erlian Border Gate

Introduction The Erlian Border Gate is hailed as the northern gateway of China. Located on the China-Mongolia border, this orange-hued multi-story brick-and-concrete structure stands 106.5 meters from the national boundary line. The lintel bears the seven large Chinese characters for “People’s Republic of China.” The tower is hollow, allowing visitors to climb up via stairs. The rooftop is elegant and bright, surrounded by a railing. From here, looking north, you can see the Russian-style architecture of Zamyn-Üüd, Mongolia’s border city, including government office buildings, residential homes, and clusters of yurts, offering a view of exotic foreign scenery. Gazing east or west, you’ll be greeted by the boundless grasslands that are truly uplifting to the spirit. Looking south, you can take in the splendor of Erlianhot, the pearl of China’s northern frontier. The China-Mongolia railway tracks beneath the gate form a vital land transport artery connecting Ulaanbaatar (Mongolia), Moscow (Russia), and Beijing (China), and are known as the “Eurasian Continental Bridge.” Standing at the China-Mongolia border, within the Erlian–Zamyn-Üüd port area, boundary markers 815 and 816 are unique in China as the only pair of double-numbered, double-standing boundary tablets. They are located 4.5 kilometers from both Erlianhot and Zamyn-Üüd. Boundary marker 357, which had stood on the China-Mongolia border for 40 years, has completed its historical mission and been honorably retired (this marker is now preserved in the Museum of the Chinese Revolution). Today, four boundary markers—815(1), 815(2), 816(1), and 816(2)—stand on either side of the two railway tracks. Their marble surfaces feature gilded national emblems of both countries on each face, presenting an impressive sight. Visitors can take commemorative photos in front of these solemn and sacred boundary markers. Zamyn-Üüd Port is Mongolia’s largest land port for trade with China, located less than 5 kilometers from Erlianhot. Covering an area of about 9 square kilometers, Zamyn-Üüd has a population of around 10,000, with residents mainly engaged in commerce and services. The city features a train station building that blends Chinese and Western architectural styles, a European-style station square, and a monument to Sükhbaatar, Mongolia’s national hero. Other sights worth visiting include the grand government office buildings, quaint wooden structures, and clusters of yurts. About 3 kilometers from the city center lies a resort where visitors can go horseback riding, hunting, enjoy bonfire parties, and watch cultural performances, fully immersing themselves in Mongolian folk culture and the song-and-dance traditions of a foreign land.

Inner Mongolia’s Xilin Gol