China – Ordos Kangbashi Tours and Travel

YPT TOURS TO ORDOS KANGBASHI

Welcome to our Ordos Kangbashi Tours, where we bring you to a futuristic district in Inner Mongolia that embodies unrealized dreams and grand ambitions. This unique area within Ordos blends modern architecture with Mongolian influences, creating an atmosphere of eerie desolation. Explore the clean, empty streets lined with impressive skyscrapers and futuristic landmarks that appear frozen in time. The district’s main square, with its symmetrical design and towering structures, offers a sight that rivals even Tiananmen Square.

Delve into the surreal landscape of Kangbashi, where a park divides the city into two halves, showcasing modern-shaped museums, libraries resembling books, and other architectural marvels reminiscent of a sci-fi movie. Despite the emptiness, Kangbashi exudes hope and anticipation, with fully operational facilities like the hospital and school awaiting residents. Engage with friendly locals eager to share their experiences in this captivating destination, offering a glimpse into a world where past ambitions meet present emptiness. And sometimes, like a real pioneer, you just have to be bold and simply enter some buildings, to see the real deal.

Don’t miss the chance to explore this extraordinary city that remains undiscovered by many, providing a bizarre and unforgettable experience that challenges traditional views of urban life and development. Experience the enigmatic allure of Ordos Kangbashi, where the convergence of past, present, and future creates a mesmerizing display of architectural wonder and untapped potential.

GROUP TOURS TO ORDOS KANGBASHI

We do not currently offer group tours to Ordos Kangbashi as we did prior to the pandemic.

But the exciting news is: Our Ordos Kangbashi group tours will return in summer 2025 as part of our revived China favourites! Stay tuned to this page and our social media for updates to not miss out on them.

INDEPENDENT TOURS TO ORDOS KANGBASHI

YPT has been offering Ordos Kangbashi travel packages with the intention of exploring not only the well-known attractions but also uncovering some of the lesser-known tourist sites of the People’s Republic. As we reopen our Ordos Kangbashi tours, we are excited to announce that we can arrange a variety of independent tours across Ordos Kangbashi with bilingual guides and transportation.

Example of a Classic Ordos Kangbashi tour (3 days)

The following is an example of one of our Ordos Kangbashi tour programs, and can be adapted, or combined with other places to suit your needs.

Day 1 – Beijing/Ordos

Group members meet at Beijing Airport and board afternoon flight.
Arrive at Yijinhuoluo Airport in Ordos.
On the drive to Wulan International Hotel, we catch our first flimpse of Kangbashi ghost city and pass numerous vacant residential blocks.
Check into the hotel and go for some food and night-time exploration, grabbing a few beers in an empty bar.

Day 2 – Ordos / Kangbashi

A walking tour of Kangbashi city centre, from Genghis Khan Square with its giant Mongol statues past the museum built in the shape of a beret and the library built to resemble three books on a shelf and on to the skyscrapers on the riverfront.
Visit the 80,000 – seater Kangbashi stadium, gymnasium and swimming pool on the way from Ordos, built to hold the 2015 Chinese Ethnic Minority Olympic Games but usually empty.
Check out the “Athletes Village”. From the Ethnic Olympics – this huge residential area was built specifically for the athletes and now lies completely empty in the middle of nowhere
Swing past the mosque.
Head over to a huge, abandoned mansion complex – this would have been a gated area for millionaires, but the money ran out half way through the project and the mansions stand as hollow shells in a development gone wrong.
Dinner at the bizarre North Korean restaurant.
Overnight in Kangbashi.

Day 3 – Ordos

Head out to the giant sand dune to the southeast of the city with a great view of the whole city, unfinished residential tower blocks and a family of camels roaming around.
Head out to the area around the Genghis Khan Mausoleum. the area around it is full of riches, we will also pass by the Mongol Yuan Dynasty film set.
A late lunch at a traditional Mongolian yurt camp in the countryside where we can do the same archery, ride a horse or a camel.
End of tour .

Bespoke tours to Ordos/Kangbashi

As part of our travel packages within China, we can offer bespoke and independent tours to Ordos/Kangbashi. These tours can be tailored as full Ordos/Kangbashi experiences or combined with visits to other regions of China.

For more details on our Ordos/Kangbashi programs and to explore the possibilities of these unique journeys, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We are happy to assist you in creating an unforgettable and personalized travel adventures in Ordos/Kangbashi.

Filming in Ordos/Kangbashi

Ordos/Kangbashi is a great location for filmmakers and journalists who wants to take advantage of its incredible environment. Through our media arm Pioneer Media, we can plan for productions, journalists, or others to film within Ordos from big budget to guerrilla productions. As a matter of fact, Pioneer Media provided logistics, planning and translation services for director John Maringouin’s Ghostbox Cowboy, shot in Ordos.

Frequently asked questions about travel to Ordos/Kangbashi

Do I need a visa to visit China?

As of the 1st of July 2024, the People’s Republic of China has continued to expand on their visa free travel scheme to China. This scheme is announced in order to further expand and grow the tourism sector of the country. The following 16 nationalities have been granted visa free access to enter China as a tourist for up to 15 days valid until the end of 2025.

The countries included on the new 15 day visa free scheme include:

Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Spain and Switzerland.

Other countries previously allowed visa exempt travel to China include:

For up to 90 days: Albania, Armenia, San Marino

For up to 60 days: Mauritius

For up to 30 days: Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Dominica, Ecuador, Fiji, Georgia, Grenada, Kazakhstan, Maldives, Malaysia, Mongolia, Qatar, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Suriname, Thailand, Tonga

This now means that nationals of 41 countries can travel to China visa free. The nation was previously known for its strict visa policy, which required considerable documentation and planning in order to visit the history-laden nation. You can find more detailed information here and how this will make future visits to DPRK much easier.

If you´re not on the visa exemption list or want to stay longer in the country, you will still have to apply for a tourist visa for single-entry, double-entry, or multiple-entry, or the 72h/144h transit visa options. This really depends on your travel plans and we are happy to advise you on the best choice.

Can travellers land at any airport or border crossing in mainland China with just their passport if from a visa free country?

Yes, you can arrive with just your passport in hand. There’s no need to apply for anything beforehand. Their passport should have at least six months of validity left before it expires, according to the Chinese embassy website.

Is it safe to travel to Ordos/Kangbashi?

Traveling to Ordos/Kangbashi is generally considered safe for tourists, Ordos, with low crime rates and modern infrastructure, offering a unique and intriguing experience. While it's advisable to take standard safety precautions, such as safeguarding personal belongings and being aware of surroundings, visitors can explore the city's history, culture, and architectural landmarks with relative peace of mind.

Is Ordos/Kangbashi vegetarian and vegan friendly?

While Ordos/Kangbashi may have limited options specifically catering to vegetarians and vegans compared to more cosmopolitan cities, there are still some vegetarian and vegan-friendly dining choices available. Most restaurants in the area primarily serve traditional Chinese cuisine, which often includes dishes with meat or animal products.

Can I get a SIM card in Ordos/Kangbashi?

The major telecom operators in China, and therefore also Ordos/Kangbashi, are China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom. Each offers various prepaid and postpaid plans. You can buy SIM cards at major international airports, retail, or convenience stores. You will need your passport for identification and registration purposes due to government regulations. Note that some international websites and services are restricted. If you need access to these, consider setting up a VPN before your arrival. If you arrive without SIM card in Urumqi, you can find the stores in the city centre as well.

What is the currency in Ordos/Kangbashi?

The currency in Ordos/Kangbashi is the Renminbi (RMB), which is also commonly referred to as the Chinese Yuan (CNY). The primary unit of the Renminbi is the yuan, and its symbol is ¥.

Do I need travel insurance in Ordos/Kangbashi?

We do strongly recommend that travellers to all our destinations have travel insurance. Accidents or medical conditions can happen anywhere and it’s best to be prepared. A proper travel insurance should include coverage for (medical) evacuation/repatriation costs by helicopter, plane or ship.

You should always do your own research about insurance, but we at YPT use IATI. Using our referral link below will give you a 5% discount off their usual price: https://www.iatitravelinsurance.com/en/?r=23612524710385

Why travel to Ordos/Kangbashi with Young Pioneer Tours

Why should you choose Young Pioneer Tours for your Ordos/Kangbashi tours? Having run tourism packages within China since 2008 and nearly as long in Ordos/Kangbashi, YPT are one of the most experienced travel operators within China.

This gives our combination of YPT and professional bilingual guides a unique insight into travel throughout China and means we get to offer behind the scenes experiences. This will be a unique advantage in one of the most culturally rich regions but difficult to travel regions on the planet.