One-Day Tour to Mandela Mountain Rock Paintings

Mandela Mountain Rock Paintings sit on Mandela Mountain, 12 kilometers south of the township center of Mangenbulag Sumu, Right Alxa Banner, and 214 kilometers from Badain Jaran Town, the banner’s administrative seat. Covering an area of 18 square kilometers, the site preserves a total of 4,234 rock paintings, ranking first in Asia, as confirmed by Arati, former Executive Chairman of the International Rock Art Committee.

The rock paintings depict a wide range of subjects including hunting, nomadic herding, warfare, deities and Buddhas, the sun, moon and stars, temple architecture, dancing, competitive sports and recreational activities. Experts infer that thousands of years ago, Mandela Mountain was surrounded by lakes with abundant water and lush grasslands. Ancient northern nomadic tribes settled here following water and pastures, creating a splendid nomadic civilization.

Archaeological research verifies that these paintings record more than 6,000 years of history, stretching from the late primitive society and early Neolithic Age through the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. They vividly document the economy, culture, production, daily life, natural surroundings, social customs and human landscapes of ancient ethnic groups including the Qiang, Yuezhi, Xiongnu, Xianbei, Uyghur, Tangut and Mongolian people across different historical eras and dynasties. The rock paintings carry extremely significant archaeological and artistic value.

Right Alxa Banner → Mandela Mountain Rock Paintings → Right Alxa Banner

40 RMB