Checking In at the Ordnance City in Inner Mongolia — Western Loop Journey of Ten Thousand Miles (Part 10)

To avoid the scorching heat at home for another two days, I chose to return via Inner Mongolia. There are few places to stay between Zhangye and Bayannur, and the only suitable stop is Altan Ovoo Town in Alxa Right Banner.

Altan Ovoo Town 1

Zhangye is 422 kilometers from Altan Ovoo Town. National Highway 307 is in good condition, with most sections having separate lanes for each direction — if closed off, it would be a highway. But the speed limit is only 70–80 km/h, and some sections have a speed limit for dozens of kilometers. At the time I complained: why can't we go faster on such a good road? It wasn't until later, when 'Xie Dajiao' had a close encounter with camels here, that I understood: the prairie's protagonists are not only humans.

Altan Ovoo Town 2

Taking breaks along the way, we arrived at Altan Ovoo Town in the afternoon. The town is small, with few passersby, very quiet, and quite distinctive.

Altan Ovoo Town 3

Altan Ovoo Town 4

Altan Ovoo Town 5

We stayed at a family inn—the Ao Hotel.

Altan Ovoo Town 6

Altan Ovoo Town 7

Altan Ovoo Town 8

We had an outdoor meal: lamb, small drinks, and a cool breeze—quite pleasant.

Altan Ovoo Town 9

July 27: From G307 to the Beijing-Xinjiang Expressway, we drove 530 kilometers, passed through Bayannur, and arrived at Urad Front Banner in the afternoon. We checked into the Urad Grand Hotel, which was nice.

Urad Front Banner 1

Urad Front Banner is 134 kilometers east of Bayannur, on the north bank of the Yellow River, at the eastern end of the Hetao Plain. It has abundant resources, a good environment, and is relatively prosperous.

Urad Front Banner 2

Urad Front Banner 3

Urad Front Banner 4

The 'Forest Sea Park' in the city is well-built and a place for residents to relax.

Urad Front Banner 5

Urad Front Banner 6

Urad Front Banner 7

July 28: From Urad Front Banner, we went 115 kilometers east to Baotou and stopped by the Northern Ordnance City.

Northern Ordnance City 1

The Northern Ordnance City is located opposite the Inner Mongolia North Heavy Industries Group in the northern part of Baotou city. It is a 4A-level tourist attraction with a military theme, founded by North Heavy Industries. North Heavy Industries is a key enterprise under the China North Industries Group, responsible for ensuring military supplies, equipment, and facilities, and holds an important position in China's defense industry.

Northern Ordnance City 2

The ordnance city displays retired weapons produced domestically or imported since the founding of the People's Republic, including armored vehicles, artillery, fighter jets, and missiles. Among them are the 'First Cannon of the Republic' reviewed by Chairman Mao on the 10th National Day, the 'Hongqi-2' missile that shot down a US U-2 plane in the 1960s, the dual-57 'Meritorious Cannon' that performed meritorious service in the Battle of the Paracel Islands, and the 120mm self-propelled anti-tank gun known as the 'tank killer.' These offer visitors a chance to see them up close.

Northern Ordnance City 3

Northern Ordnance City 4

Northern Ordnance City 5

Northern Ordnance City 6

Northern Ordnance City 7

Northern Ordnance City 8

The scenic area is not large; all exhibits are museum-level, long-retired items. It can be seen in about an hour.

Continuing east for 334 kilometers, we arrived at Ulanqab (Jining) in the afternoon. We stayed at the Planning Committee Hotel and visited Tiger Mountain Park in the evening.

Tiger Mountain is a mountain within Ulanqab city, named for its shape resembling a crouching tiger. It is an open comprehensive park.

During the Liberation War, Ulanqab saw three famous battles, and Tiger Mountain, the city's highest point, was the most fiercely contested location. Traces of war remain faintly visible today.

To commemorate the martyrs who died in the battles, a monument and a memorial hall were built in the park. However, we arrived late, and the hall was already closed.

July 29: We arrived back in Renqiu at noon, marking the safe and smooth conclusion of the Western Loop self-driving trip.