Ordos Museum – An Amazing Work of Contemporary Architecture in Gobi Desert

Written by Veronica | Updated May 16,2024

Ordos Museum, China is a comprehensive museum in Ordos, Inner Mongolia. It showcases local history, art, culture, and ecology of Ordos and its surrounding regions, is also referred to as Ordos City & Art Museum. Architecture of the museum is designed by the global design company, MAD Architects, at the request of the local government.

Ordos Museum is now a famous landmark in the new city center of Ordos with an area of around 41,000 square feet. The sand-dune like architecture was inspired by Gobi Desert, the land on which the city is built. It reflects a deep, intimate connection between the Ordos people and the desert.

Fast Facts about Ordos Museum

• Location: Wenhua South Road, Kangbashi, Ordos, Inner Mongolia; about 84 miles (135 kilometers) south of Baotou
• Hours: 09:00-17:30, closed on Mondays
• Ticket price: free admission, but you need to make a reservation online
• Recommended visit time: 2 or 3 hours
• Best months of the year: May to October
• Suited to: anyone who loves history, art, architecture

 

What to See and Do at Ordos Museum

Admire the Architecture

Ordos city was built from scratch in the Gobi Desert. It rose out of the vast land of natural wonder. The clash between the region’s long-standing traditions and hopes for the future created conflicts for the city’s and museum’s construction. MAD Architects were asked to develop urban landscapes while being mindful of minority cultural traditions.

The sand dune-shaped exterior of Ordos Museum is a metal shell that protects the interior from harsh winters and frequent sandstorms in the desert. Metaphorically, it is a shield that protects the precious culture and history of Ordos.

The building appears to be floating over the waving sand, fits in perfectly with this seemingly harsh environment. This design decision is to acknowledge that Ordos’ history, culture, as well as its urban growth are all born out of the desert.

The organic design of the interior of Ordos Museum poses a great contrast to the exterior. You’ll see a massive cave design with voids flushed with natural light through the skylights. The cave links to a canyon which carves out space between the galleries and exhibition halls brightly illuminated at the top.

Visitors walk over winding passageways and mid-air bridges to get around the exhibitions. The thoughtful interior design embodies the museum experience of walking in an urban center, in the middle of Gobi Desert, between the future and the past.

Explore the Exhibitions

Ordos Museum has six levels of exhibitions on local history. There are artifacts from the stone ages to today, including tools, pottery, bronze ware, sculptures, ancient murals.

Attend Museum Events

Ordos Museum often hosts events such as special exhibitions, lectures, and workshops. You’ll have the chance to engage with artists and scholars to learn more about local culture.

Tour the Surrounding Area

Ordos Museum is nearby many other attractions, such as Kangbashi Central Park and Dongsheng Scenic Area. You can also make a day trip to Kubuqi Desert, the seventh largest desert in China.

Best Time to Visit Ordos Museum

The best time to travel to Ordos in Inner Mongolia is between May and October. The weather is usually warm and nice with moderate rainfall. It’s also a great time for Inner Mongolia tours to the deserts because chances of dust storms are low.

How to Get to Ordos Museum

By Bus: Take a bus from Ordos Bus Station to Kangbashi New Area. The bus ride takes about 1 hour and costs CNY 10. Buses are available every 30 minutes from 7AM to 7PM. From the bus stop, you can walk to Ordos Museum for about 15 minutes or take a taxi.

By Taxi: You can also take a taxi from Ordos city to the museum. Depending on where you are, the time, and traffic, a taxi ride is typically 40 minutes and CNY 80. To avoid confusion, you can show your driver the Chinese name of the museum (鄂尔多斯博物馆) or the address (鄂尔多斯市康巴什区文化西路5号).

Attractions nearby Ordos Museum

• Xiangshawanis a 5A-level desert scenic spot in Kubuqi Desert. There are many desert activities you can join like camel riding, sand sliding, jeep safaris. You’ll hear sounds like musical instruments made by the sand when you slide down the dunes.
• Mausoleum of Genghis Khanis a sacred site built in honor of the founder of Mongol Empire. Learn about his life and accomplishments while observing traditional Mongolian worship ceremonies.
• Kangbashen Tourist Areais a new urban center of Ordos with landmark buildings such as the Ordos International Convention and Exhibition Center, Ordos Cultural and Art Center, Ordos Library, Ordos Grand Theatre, Ordos News Building.
• Ordos Wildlife Parkis a zoo that you can drive through in a car and get close to see animals such as wolves, tigers, lions, bears. You can also interact with smaller animals such as alpacas, camels, pythons.

Inner Mongolia Tours to Ordos Museum

• 5 Days Classic Inner Mongolia Tour with Leisure Hike

We can also help you with a customized tour to Ordos Museum in Inner Mongolia.