Ordos Plateau Plateau

The Ordos Plateau is a broad geographic region in central Inner Mongolia, China, characterized by steppe, grassland and desert areas. It occupies the area inside the great northern loop of the Yellow River known as the Ordos Loop.

The plateau includes the Ordos Desert and parts of the Mu Us Desert, with landscapes that range from sandy dunes to grassland and loess-covered plains. Land use varies from grazing and pastoralism to mining and, in some areas, urban development.

The region has a semi-arid climate and has supported nomadic and pastoral cultures historically; it also contains archaeological sites and evidence of historical human occupation tied to broader northern China and Mongolian histories. Modern administrative units within the plateau are part of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.

Geographically, the plateau sits north of the Yellow River’s great bend and south of the Mongolian Plateau, forming a distinct basin-like area within northern China.

• Landscape: The region is semi-arid and includes grassland, steppe and dune landscapes, with significant areas of the Ordos and Mu Us deserts.
• Geographic context: Historically and today, the plateau forms part of the larger Inner Mongolian region and lies north of the Yellow River’s great bend, often referred to as the Ordos Loop.

The Ordos Plateau spans a large region in Inner Mongolia. The nearest major city with good transport links is Ordos (Dongsheng) - Ordos Ejin Horo Airport receives flights from regional hubs. From there, regional roads and hired transport are the norm to reach specific plateau locales; distances between points can be large and public transit sparse.

• If exploring remote grassland areas, hire a local guide familiar with access permissions and weather.
• Combine a visit with a trip to the Ordos Desert's exhibition sites or local museum displays to understand the plateau's role in Mongolian and Chinese history.
• Bring sun protection: the plateau's altitude and clear skies intensify sunlight.