{"id":17316,"date":"2021-10-05T22:10:00","date_gmt":"2021-10-05T14:10:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/?p=17316"},"modified":"2021-10-20T01:22:16","modified_gmt":"2021-10-19T17:22:16","slug":"heicheng-historic-site-in-ejin-banner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/inner-mongolia-travel\/heicheng-historic-site-in-ejin-banner","title":{"rendered":"Heicheng Historic Site in Ejin Banner (Tips, Photos & Map)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plan your Inner Mongolia<\/a> <\/a>tour<\/a>? Inner Mongolia is huge in size. Basically it is impossible to travel the major sites on a single trip. If you are interested in history and unique landscape, a trip to Western Inner Mongolia<\/a> is highly recommended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khara-Khoto is a ruined city in the Ejin Banner of Alxa League in western Inner Mongolia near Juyan Lake Basin built in 1032. It is now known as Heicheng Historic Site (\u9ed1\u57ce\u9057\u5740) with multiple names \u2013 Heishui City Ruins, Black City Ruins, Black Water City Ruins, the formerly Khar Khot (Mongolian) and Eji Nai City (Tangut language). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It has been recognized as the city of Etzina, which was recorded in The Travels of Marco Polo, and Ejina Qi ( Ejin Banner ) is actually named after this city. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Location of Heicheng Historic Site (Khara-Khoto) <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Heicheng Historic Site is located about 40km southeast of Dalaihubu Town, Ejin Banner (Qi) in Alxa (Alashan) League, in the west of Inner Mongolia. It is an ancient fortress that was first built in 1032 and later became a trade center of Tangut Empire (1038 \u2013 1227). The current Ejina is named after the Eji Nai City (Black Water City) in Tangut language.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dalaihubuzhen – Guaishulin (28km) – Heicheng Historic Site ( 15km) Google Map <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Heicheng Historic Site is now a major Historical and Cultural Site protected at the National Level, a tourist destination in Ejina Qi (Ejin Banner). Basically a visit to Heicheng Ruins is often combined with a visit to \u201cGuaishulin<\/a>\u201d \u2013 the Dead Euphrates Poplar Forest. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brief History of Heicheng Historic Site ( Khara-Khoto )<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The city was originally built in 1032 and became an important centre of Western Xia trade in the 11th century. The Heicheng City was widely developed as an important northern fortress on the northwest of the former Tangut Empire. Now It lies on the arid desert bank of the lower reaches of Heishui River, the largest existent fortress along the ancient Silk Road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The walled military town was first attacked and taken by Genghis Khan in 1226. The ancient town continued to develop and flourish under Mongol Empire. In Yuan Dynasty (1271 \u2013 1368), the city was expanded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 1372, the last general of Yuan Dynasty named Khara Bator was surrounded to the armies of Ming Dynasty ( 1368 1644). After the defeat, the city was abandoned and left in ruins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Visit Heicheng Historic Site (Khara-Khoto) <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To visit Heicheng Ruins, you may first go to the main entrance to the combo scenic area known as Guaishulin and Heicheng Ruins Scenic Area <\/strong>(\u9ed1\u57ce\u602a\u6811\u6797\u666f\u533a), 28km southwest of Dalaihubu Town.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The entrance to the Guaishulin and Heicheng Ruins ( Khara-Khoto <\/strong>) Tourist Destination<\/strong> is close to Guaishulin. where you line up for the shuttle bus that brings you to the Heicheng Ruins ( Khara-Khoto) , 15km to the northeast of Guaishulin<\/a> (Dead Euphrates Poplar Forest and 35km southeast of Dalaihubu Town. We suggest you first go visit Heicheng Ruins, then come back for viewing Guaishulin<\/a> ( Dead Euphrates Poplar Forest).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are going to visit the West Inner Mongolia<\/a> on your Inner Mongolia Tour<\/a>, Heicheng Ruins is an interesting draw you should not miss, especially if you are interested in Chinese history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to get to Heicheng Historic Site (Khara-Khoto) <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Now follow me to have a glimpse of Heicheng Ancient Town. First go from Dalaihubu Town to the main entrance to a joint two-site area of Guaishulin<\/a> and Heicheng Historic Site. Take the shuttle bus to visit Heicheng Ruins first, 15 km to the northeast of the entrance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Line up for the shuttle bus that brings you to Heicheng Historic Site, 15km to the northeast of the entrance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Line up for the shuttle bus<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Virtual Tour of Heicheng Historic Site (Khara-Khoto) <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Get off at the shuttle bus, you need to walk another 15 minutes before you get close to the ruined city. The ancient fortress is exposed on the wild, arid desert, you should be well armed to protect yourself against the scorching sun, wearing sun glasses, sun creams, umbrella and scarf. A signboard carved in stone with the name of the site stands on the way to the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A stone signboard carved in the name of the site<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Still a 15-minute walk from the bus station to the site of the ancient city. You are kindly reminded to be ready for hats, sun glassed, sun cream against the hot weather.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Still a 15-minute walk from the bus station to the site of the ancient city<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Still a 15-minute walk from the bus station to the site of the ancient city<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The old fortress is rectangle in shape with two gates on the west and east. The outer wall has a perimeter of 1600 meters, east to west 434 meters, north to south 384 and 10 meters in height. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Walk around the exterior of the ruined wall<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The outer wall is surrounded by the desert on all sides, threatening to cover the whole city. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The outer wall<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

We enter the outer wall of the city through its west gate which includes an inner city. A wooden path is set up on the major area within the rammed city wall. You may walk along the board walks to visit the major areas inside. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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On the northwest of the corner wall, there are several Buddhist Pagoda atop the wall. Inside the wall, you still can discern the original houses, offices, streets and so on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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On the northwest corner, several pagodas atop the wall. <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Walking within rammed city of Heicheng, people are feeling the history. Some houses, offices and streets are still clearly discerned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Some houses, offices and streets are still clearly discerned.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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The remnants of the old buildings<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Tip:  Hassle-free Inner Mongolia  Guided Tours<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you don\u2019t want to go the do-it-yourself route and prefer the hassle-free escorted tours,  here are some options for guided tours to Inner Mongolia:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inner Mongolia Tour<\/a>
Mid-Inner Mongolia Tour<\/a> (Hohhot, Baotou, Ordos)
East Inner Mongolia Tour<\/a> (Xanadu,Wulan Butong, Xilinhot, Chifeng)
Northeast Inner Mongolia Tour<\/a> (Hulunbuir)
West Inner Mongolia Tour<\/a> (Alashan \u201cAlxa\u201d League)
Hohhot Tour<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Further Readings<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n

Top 10 Attractions in Hohhot<\/a>
The Best Time to Visit Hohhot<\/a>
Meidaizhao Temple<\/a>
How to go to Hohhot from Beijin<\/a>g<\/a>
Top Souvenirs in Hohhot<\/a>
Hohhot Taxi: Hohhot Taxi Fares, Tips and Phones<\/a>
Baotou Taxi: Baotou Taxi Fares, Tips and Phones<\/a>
Ordos Taxi: Ordos taxi Fares, Tips and Phones<\/a>
What to see in Hohhot, what to do in Hohhot<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Top 10 Attractions in Alxa League<\/a>
Heicheng Historic Site (Khara-Khoto) in Ejin Banner (Tips, Photos & Map)<\/a>
<\/a>Guai Shu Lin in Ejin Banner, Inner Mongolia (Tips, Photos & Map)<\/a>
Populus Forest in Ejin Banner (Tips, Photos & Map)<\/a>
Badain Jaran Desert (Tips, Photos & Map)<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Quiet Wusu Langzi Lake<\/a>
Dujuan Lake in Aershan National Forest Park<\/a>
Beihu Park Skyline at Night in Manzhouli<\/a>
Architecture of Manzhouli<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sunrise Glow over Hulunbuir Grasslands<\/a>.
Top 10 Places for Photography in Hulunbuir<\/a>
Top 10 Attractions in Hulunbuir<\/a>.
Road Trip from Ergun to Linjiang Village<\/a>
Hulun Lake Travel Tips<\/a>
World Anti-fascist War Hailar Memorial Park
<\/a>Architecture of Manzhouli
<\/a>Ergun Travel Guide
<\/a><\/a>Aoluguya Travel Guide<\/a>
Moerdaoga Travel Guide
<\/a>Shiwei Travel Tips
<\/a>How to visit Hulunbuir Grassland<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Top 10 Attractions in Chifeng<\/a>
Xanadu Sites Museum<\/a>
Jinlianchuan Grassland<\/a>
Wulan Butong Grassland<\/a>
<\/a>Asihatu Stone Forest
<\/a>Gong Geer Grassland<\/a>
<\/a>Duolun Travel Guide<\/a>
Xanadu Travel Guide \u2013 Shangdu Travel<\/a>
How to visit Asihatu Stone Forest<\/a>
Xi Wuzhumuqin Grassland<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Any questions, just drop a line.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Plan your Inner Mongolia tour? Inner Mongolia is huge in size. Basically it is impossible to travel the major sites on a single trip. If you are interested in history and unique landscape, a trip to Western Inner Mongolia is highly recommended. Khara-Khoto is a ruined city in the Ejin Banner of Alxa League in…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":38,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2521,1905],"tags":[4015,2863,2864,2865,4021,4016,2866,4013,2867,4020,4012,4014],"class_list":["post-17316","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-alxa-league-travel","category-inner-mongolia-travel","tag-black-city","tag-black-city-ruins","tag-black-water-city-ruins","tag-eji-nai-city","tag-heicheng-historic-site","tag-heicheng-ruins","tag-heishui-city-ruins","tag-how-to-get-to-heicheng-ruins","tag-khar-khot","tag-khara-khoto","tag-location-of-heicheng-ruins","tag-the-city-of-etzina"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17316"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/38"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17316"}],"version-history":[{"count":27,"href":"https:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17316\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":28614,"href":"https:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17316\/revisions\/28614"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17316"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17316"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17316"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}