Museum of Mongolian History and Culture

　　The Museum of Mongolian History and Culture was founded in 2003. Modeled after the Mongolian character "Khan" (meaning emperor), it is regarded as one of the exemplary contemporary Mongolian architectural structures. It is the only museum in China and abroad that specializes in the collection, research, and exhibition of Mongolian history and culture. The museum houses precious historical relics from Genghis Khan to the present, as well as exquisitely unique ethnic artifacts, providing an important platform for inheriting and promoting the long-standing historical culture of the Mongolian people.

　　The Museum of Mongolian History and Culture is located within the Genghis Khan Mausoleum Scenic Area in Ordos City, Inner Mongolia. Themed around Mongolian history and culture and supported by the scenic tourism area, it operates under market-oriented mechanisms and corporate management. It was invested in and constructed by the Inner Mongolia Donglian Tourism Group and officially opened on June 18, 2005. The building covers an area of 5,800 square meters, with a total investment exceeding 50 million yuan, making it one of Inner Mongolia’s major ethnic culture-themed museums.

　　The Museum of Mongolian History and Culture consists of six sections: “Historical Giants Who Changed the World,” “Special Care and Concern,” “The Evolution of the Genghis Khan Mausoleum,” “The Construction of the Genghis Khan Mausoleum Site,” “The Mysterious Worship Ceremony of Genghis Khan,” and “The Guardians — the Darhad.” The historical and cultural exhibition of the Genghis Khan Mausoleum systematically presents the tumultuous history of the site through photos and artifacts, the ancient and mysterious worship rituals of Genghis Khan, the deep historical and cultural meanings of the mausoleum, and its development over time.

　　The museum aims to establish a center for Mongolian historical and cultural data, research, and exhibitions both domestically and internationally, providing a crucial base for the inheritance and promotion of the long and rich history of the Mongolian people. The museum houses numerous physical artifacts that showcase Mongolian history and culture, including many high-quality cultural relics from the Mongol-Yuan period, particularly a set of weapons from that era, which are considered masterpieces among cultural treasures. In addition, items such as the ceremonial hat worn by noblewomen during the Mongol Khanate period (known as the "Gugu Crown"), stone carvings of female slaves holding lamps, golden cups with flat handles, inscribed stone tablets, as well as Mongolian medicine packets and pouches from the Qing Dynasty, are all extremely valuable cultural relics.

　　The exhibitions in the Museum of Mongolian History and Culture are arranged along three main themes. The first is a large series of 206-meter-long oil paintings depicting the grand historical narrative of Mongolia, illustrating the origin of the Mongolian people, the birth of Genghis Khan in 1162, up until the Mongol rulers withdrew from the Yuan capital in 1368, retreated to the northern grasslands, and established the Northern Yuan regime. This accurately reflects the most glorious period of Mongolian historical development. The other two themes use artifact displays and supplementary exhibits to reflect the long history and splendid culture of the Mongolian people. The historical sections are displayed in sync with the content of the paintings, providing a detailed account of each developmental stage of the Mongolian people and their significant contributions to human civilization.

　　The cultural section primarily showcases the ancient folk traditions of the Mongolian people, divided into five aspects: grassland herding, nomadic life, cultural entertainment, customs and etiquette, and religious beliefs. It systematically reproduces the material and spiritual civilization of the Mongolian people over more than a thousand years, highlighting the significant role the Mongolian people played in elevating nomadic culture to its historical peak.