Plan at a glance
A Yuan-dynasty museum south of the site
Formally named the Xilingol League Cultural Heritage Museum (Xanadu Site Museum), this museum stands east of Shangdu Town in Zhenglan Banner, partway up the eastern side of Wulantai Aobao Mountain, about 5 kilometers from the Site of Xanadu. Its exhibitions trace the city's construction, layout, history and culture, and excavated objects. Visit first to understand the capital's history and layout, then decide whether to make a separate trip to the archaeological site.
Plan the museum and site separately
The museum and the archaeological site have separate entrances, ticketing, and opening status. The Site of Xanadu closed for winter on October 8, 2026, and is expected to reopen in May 2027; the museum remains open during the closure. You can visit the museum on its own before the site reopens.
Tickets and visit details
View visit options for this attraction and confirm the visit date and current arrangements before you go.
Choose your visit
Architecture built into the hillside
Built in an abandoned mine pit, the museum is set into Wulantai Mountain, with exterior walls and a rooftop viewing deck visible above ground. The design was led by Li Xinggang's team. First look at how the building follows the slope, then go inside. The corner of the exterior wall makes a good spot for photos of the red wall and the building's lines. The rooftop deck offers views toward the Jinlianchuan grassland when open; follow the museum's directions that day.
Nine exhibition sections exploring Xanadu
After an exhibition update in 2025, the display expanded from four sections to nine and now includes more than 400 objects. It covers the city's construction, political system, work and daily life, and cultural exchange. Displays and interactive equipment may change during maintenance; use the entrance map to choose the galleries open that day.
A carved white-marble dragon pillar and a Daan'ge model
The museum displays a white-marble corner pillar carved with a dragon, a reconstructed model of Daan'ge Pavilion, and digital exhibits. The pillar is displayed alongside multimedia content, while the model helps explain palace architecture. Use the exhibit labels and model to learn about the objects.
Build your day
An approximately 1.5-hour museum visit
Start outside with the hillside architecture, then enter through the introductory hall and use the visitor map to follow the open route through the city's layout and history. Focus on the carved pillar, Daan'ge model, and digital exhibits, then follow the signs back to the entrance. Allow about 1.5 hours; if galleries are being rearranged, shorten or adjust the route to match that day's access.
Visit the museum before the site in the open season
When the archaeological site is open, visit the museum first, then drive about 5–6 kilometers to the Site of Xanadu Visitor Center. The drive takes about seven minutes. The site's admission and route into the grounds must be arranged separately. Do not travel to the site while it is closed for winter.
Get there
Distinguish the museum from the site's visitor center
The museum is on Wulantai Aobao Mountain, east of Shangdu Town in Zhenglan Banner. Trip.com lists its address near County Road 517. Search for “锡林郭勒盟文化遗产博物馆” or “元上都遗址博物馆” and make sure the map pin is on the mountainside museum. The Site of Xanadu Visitor Center is elsewhere, northeast of the junction of China National Highway 510 and County Road 517. Navigate to the two locations separately.
Drive or arrange a return ride in advance
There is no direct bus to the museum entrance. Arrange a round-trip ride before leaving Shangdu Town, and call ahead to confirm parking, any shuttle up the slope, and the walking entrance. Do not assume that shuttle prices and routes mentioned in older travel posts still apply. Dining inside the museum is unclear; return to Shangdu Town for food and supplies.
Know before you go
Opening days and daily hours
The Xanadu Site Museum remains open to the public while the Site of Xanadu is closed for winter. It is usually closed on Mondays but opens on statutory public holidays. Published daily hours differ across sources; call 0479-2258616 before setting out to confirm that day's opening, last admission, and ticket arrangements.
Admission, shuttles, and walking on the hillside
The museum has previously announced free admission; confirm the current price by phone. Call 0479-2258616 to check admission, guided tours, parking, and transport within the museum grounds. Follow the museum's directions for the shuttle stop and any fee. The museum is on a hillside; wear wind- and rain-resistant clothing in wet or snowy weather and take care on outdoor paths. Visitors with limited mobility should call ahead to ask about accessible routes and shuttle arrangements.
Visitor rules and dining
Do not touch artifacts or display cases. Use interactive exhibits only as instructed by the museum. Follow on-site signs for photography, tripods, and the rooftop deck. Dining inside the museum has not been confirmed; plan meals in Shangdu Town. If you also plan to visit the archaeological site, check its reopening status first; the protected area is off limits during the winter closure.