Duolun County (Tips, Photos & Map)

Meaning of Duolun and Dolon Nur

“Duolun” here refers to Duolun County (多伦县）under the jurisdiction of Xilin Gol League in Inner Mongolia. The Dolon Nur Town （多伦淖尔镇, also known as 多伦诺尔镇), is the seat of Duolun County.

Dolon Nur in Mongolian literally means “seven lakes” named after the numerous lakes in the county. The county name of “Duolun” originates from Dolon Nur (seven lakes).

Duolun County administrates 2 towns ( including Don Nur Town), 3 townships with a populations of over 100, 000 people with ethnic groups mainly composed of Han Chinese, Mongolian, Hui, Manchu and Uyghurs with an area of 3863 sq km.

Location of Duolun County

By road, Duolun County is 45km situated to the east of Zhenglan Qi (Zhenglan Banner正蓝旗), 234km to southwest of Keshiketeng Qi ( Hexigten Banner 克什克腾旗) , 255km to the west of Chifeng City （赤峰市）, about 458km to the north of Beijing.

History of Duolun County

Duolun once had a splendid culture and history. In 1691, after defeating Ger Dan who had allied with Russia invading China, the Qing Emperor Kangxi met with the 48 dukes and 3 chieftains in Inner Mongolia and Outer Mongolia for reconciliation.

The Duolun Meeting (康熙会盟) greatly enhanced the unity and formally finalized the northern frontier. Later in memory of the historical meeting in Duolun, Emperor Kang Xi ordered the building of Huizong Temple (汇宗寺）in Duolun.

Later Emperor Yongzheng, the third emperor (reigned 1722–35) of the Qing dynasty (1644–1911/12), he ordered the construction of Shanyin Lamasery (善因寺). As a result, many important monasteries were founded there with imperial patronage, and Duolun became a most important center of Mongolian Buddhism in southern Mongolia.

In Qing Dynasty, Emperor Kangxi, under the request of the dukes in Mongolia, permitted the merchants from inland China to set up business channels here in Duolu and gave preferential policies to the inland merchants who would do business in Duolun. Thus, numerous businessmen from Beijing, Shanxi, Shaanxi and Shandong flooded Duolun that formed a large team of businessmen travelling in Mongolia.

At its peak, Duolun had over 4000 registered shops and stores. It became the largest commercial capital in Mongolia, the most important economic center in Mongolia during the Qing Dynasty.

Today, its glorious past could be found from the well preserved Shanxi Guild Hall (山西会馆), Niang Niang Temple (娘娘庙), Longxing Temple (兴隆寺), City God Temple (城隍庙), Corporate Buildings and four Muslim mosques in Duolun County.

In addition to its glorious past, Duolun is endowed with natural gifts – beautiful grassland since it is set on the southern edge of the Xilin Gol Grassland (锡林郭勒草原).

Duolun is also teemed with sands as it lies on the southern rim of Hunshandake Sandlands(浑善达克沙地), one of the China’s top ten desserts. Duolun is an ideal place to recall the interesting history especially in Qing Dynasty as well as experience the massive desserts and picturesque grassland.

Where to Stay in Duolun County

Duolun County is quite large in geophysical mass. So when we go visit Duolun County, basically people would choose to stay overnight at Dolon Nur Town （多伦淖尔镇, also known as 多伦诺尔镇), is the seat of Duolun County. There are some inns and hotels around the town. We recommend the Duolun Grand Hotel, the best hotel in the town at the time of my writing.

Duolun Grand Hotel
Add: Zhengfu Road West, Dolon Nur Town, Duolun County 锡林郭勒盟多伦县多伦大街与政府东路交叉路口往东北约100米
Booking hot line:：0479-6786666
Fax：0479-6786088

How to get to Duolun and go around

A trip to Duolun is often connected with side trips to Zhenglan Qi and Xanadu, a triangle travel route. You may go to Duolun from Chengde (Weichang), Beijing, Chifeng, Xilinhot and Hohhot using the long-distance buses.

In the town, you can easily hail a taxi going around, or make a side trip to the Site of Xanadu or Zhenglan Banner.

Add-on

Site of Xanadu (Tips, Photos & Map)
Xanadu Sites Museum
Jinlianchuan Grassland
Wulanbutong Grassland  
Asihatu Stone Forest
Gong Geer Grassland
Dalinur Lake
Duolun County
Asihatu Stone Forest
Xi Wuzhumuqin Grassland
Top 10 Attractions in Chifeng

Hassle-Free East Inner Mongolia Guided Tours:

If you don’t want go the daunting do-it-yourself-route and prefer an organized hassle-free private tour to visit  Xanadu and other parts of Inner Mongolia, no worry and we have the following options:

6-Day Beijing Duolun Xilingol Chengde Culture Tour
Beijing Chifeng 4 Day Round Trip Tour
4-Day Beijing Xilinglo Glassland Shangdu Mongolia Culture Tour
3 Day Beijing Shangdu (Xanadu) Tour

Inner Mongolia Tour
Mid-Inner Mongolia Tour (Hohhot, Baotou, Ordos)
East Inner Mongolia Tour (Xanadu,Wulan Butong, Xilinhot, Chifeng)
Northeast Inner Mongolia Tour (Hulunbuir)
West Inner Mongolia Tour (Alashan “Alxa” League)
Hohhot Tour
Hohhot Highlights & Grassland 3 Day Tour
Hohhot Highlights & Grassland 2 Day Tour

Further Readings

Top Places to Visit in Inner Mongolia
Top 10 Attractions in Hohhot
Best Time to Visit Hohhot
Meidaizhao Temple
How to go to Hohhot from Beijing
Top Souvenirs in Hohhot
Hohhot Taxi: Hohhot Taxi Fares, Tips and Phones
Baotou Taxi: Baotou Taxi Fares, Tips and Phones
Ordos Taxi: Ordos taxi Fares, Tips and Phones
What to see in Hohhot, what to do in Hohhot

Top 10 Attractions in Alxa League
Heicheng Historic Site in Ejin Banner (Tips, Photos & Map)
Guai Shu Lin in Ejin Banner, Inner Mongolia (Tips, Photos & Map)
Populus Forest in Ejin Banner (Tips, Photos & Map)
Badain Jaran Desert (Tips, Photos & Map)

Sunrise Glow over Hulunbuir Grassland
Top 10 Places for Photography in Hulunbuir
How to visit Hulunbuir Grassland
Top 10 Attractions in Hulunbuir
Hulun Lake Travel Tips
World Anti-fascist War Hailar Memorial Park

Road Trip from Ergun to Linjiang Village
Ergun Travel Guide
Aoluguya Travel Guide
Moerdaoga Travel Guide
Shiwei Travel Tips

Wusu Langzi Lake （Tips, Photos & Map)
Dujuan Lake in Aershan National Forest Park

Beihu Park Skyline at Night in Manzhouli
Night View of Manzhouli City
Architecture of Manzhouli
Top 10 Attractions in Manzhouli

Any questions, just drop a line.