Written by Veronica |
On the magical land of Ejina Banner in Inner Mongolia, there is an ancient city ruins that has been dormant for thousands of years, which is the Heicheng Historic SiteĀ (also called Heicheng Ruins). This ruined city was once a military stronghold of the Western Xia Dynasty and an important stop on the Silk Road, but now only remains with wrecked walls and desolate ruins which silently tell the vicissitudes of history. However, it is this incomplete beauty that makes Heicheng Historic Site more mysterious, attracting countless people toĀ travel to Ejin BannerĀ in Inner Mongolia.
Information About Heicheng Historic Site
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- Location:about 25 km southeast of Dalaihubu Town, Ejina Banner, Alxa League, Inner Mongolia
- Opening time:08:00 ā 18:00
- Ticket price:60Ā RMB
- Time needed:1~2 hours
- Best time to visit:September to October
- Suited to:history lovers, culture explorers, photography enthusiasts
Past Glory ofĀ HeichengĀ Historic Site
As the most complete and largest ancient city ruins on the northern route of the ancient Silk Road, Heicheng Historic SiteĀ has witnessed numerous historical changes and wars.
Heicheng was built in 1032, when the Western Xia Dynasty established the “Heishan Weifu Military Headquarter” here, governingĀ the whole Juyan area. It was an important agricultural and pastoral base and border fortress of Western Xia.
In 1226, Genghis Khan’s Mongol army captured HeichengĀ in theĀ fourth southern expedition. In 1286, Emperor Shizu of the Yuan Dynasty established the “Yijinai Province Administration” here, which became a transportation hub from the Central Plains to the northern desert. Marco Polo just walked along this ancient path into the Eastern Paradise and recorded the prosperity of this city.
In 1372, the army of Ming Dynasty brokeĀ through Heicheng, and withdrew soon afterwards. As the water source dried up and residents moved out gradually, the once prosperous Heicheng eventually became a ruin buried in sand for hundreds of years.
In 1908, Russian explorer Kozlov excavated a large amountĀ of Western Xia cultural relics here, includingĀ the most precious “Pearl in the Palm”(ćēŖę±åę¶ęäøē ć), which caused a sensation in the archaeology and history world. Since then, Heicheng Ruins gained worldwide fame,Ā and the “Tangutology” was born.
Unique Features of Heicheng Historic Site
Desolate sand dunes, Buddhist pagodas, and dried-up rivers, Heicheng Historic SiteĀ Ā inĀ Alxa LeagueĀ gives us a picture of the once prosperousĀ human civilization here.
The old fortress is rectangle in shape with two gates on the west and east, and there seems to be an east-west ancient road passing through the city. Surrounded by the desert on all sides, the outer wall of Heicheng Historic Site is over 470 metersĀ from east to west, over 380 meters from north to south, and 8-10 meters in height.
Many relics such as government offices, mansions, warehouses, Buddhist temples, residential buildings, and streets within the ruined city can still be vaguely discerned.
On the northwest corner of the city wall, there are several vase-shaped Buddhist pagodas built with adobe bricks, approximately 12 meters high, which are relics from the Western Xia period. Despite centuries of sandstorms, they still stands tall and upright, becoming a unique and charming symbol of Heicheng Historic Site.
Although Heicheng had become a solitary ruins in the vast desert as early as the mid-14th century, it still has extremely high historical value.
ClimbingĀ up the sand dunes nearby, you canĀ enjoyĀ aĀ stunning view of Heicheng Ruins inĀ the desert landscapeĀ during yourĀ Inner Mongolia tours.
Best Time to Visit Heicheng Historic Site
The optimal time to visit Heicheng Historic SiteĀ is before sunsetĀ when the light and shadows create a striking contrast on the ancient walls and towers. However, it is advisable to avoid ChineseĀ Golden Travel Week (October 1-7), as the area tends to be crowded during this time.
Tips: YouāreĀ best advised to take measures to protect yourselfĀ from the direct sun, heat, wind and sand.
How to Get to Heicheng Historic Site
To reach Heicheng Historic Site, youĀ can take a taxi or a private car from Dalaihubu Town of Ejin Banner, which takes about 25 minutes.
Attractions Nearby Heicheng Historic Site
Ejina Populus Euphratica Forest: This natural wonder providesĀ an awesomeĀ sight, especially inĀ autumn when the poplar trees turn golden.
Juyan Lake Wetland Park:Ā This vast freshwater lake is surrounded by sand dunes and grasslands, providing a habitat for numerous birds and fish.
Strange ForestĀ features numerous dead poplar trees that stand firmly on the Gobi desert, with unique and bizarre shapes and postures.
Genghis Khan MausoleumĀ is the cenotaph of the legendary Mongolian ancestor and a place to witness the worship ceremony and artifacts.
