A divine inheritance

Jinbao and his wife, also a Darhad, live a happy life. They met at a university in Hohhot and got married in 2012. China News Service

GLANCE

? Genghis Khan (1162-1227), born Temujin, was the founder and Great Khan of the Mongol Empire, which later became the largest contiguous empire in history.

? His grandson Kublai Khan (1215-94) was the first emperor of the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368). There were 500 families safeguarding the mausoleum when Kublai Khan established eight white yurt palaces and first launched the seasonal rituals.

? Ejin Horo means "the Emperor Lord's courtyard" in Mongolian in honor of the mausoleum.

? According to the sixth national census in 2010, there are about 5.9 million people of the Mongolian ethnic group living in China, of whom 4.22 million live in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region.

If you go:

About the rituals: The four major seasonal sacrifices in 2014 will be held on April 20, June 12, Sept 5, and Nov 26. The entrance fee to the mausoleum is 110 yuan ($17.70) per person, but it is free during Tsagaansurek and the Lunar New Year Sacrifice.

Getting there: Major cities including Beijing, Hohhot and Hong Kong have daily direct flights to Ordos Airport, which is located in Ejin Horo Banner. Visitors can also take a 4.5-hour bus ride from Hohhot to the banner, then a 30-minute shuttle bus to the mausoleum.

Accommodation: Visitors can choose hotels in Ejin Horo Banner or in the nearby Kangbashi New District. The average price of a standard room is 300 yuan a night. There are also some Mongolian-style hotels and inns near the mausoleum, but their prices are usually higher during rituals.

Food: The region is known for its local yogurt, stewed lamb and roast lamb.

Contacts: Official website of the Mausoleum of Genghis Khan: www.cjshl.com;

Tel: 047-7896-1222