History of Erenhot

Foundation and First Mentions

The city of Erenhot (also known as Erlian) is a relatively young settlement whose history is inextricably linked to the development of international transport corridors. The formation of the modern city began in the mid-20th century when a railway line was laid here, connecting China with neighbouring states. Before the advent of the railway, this territory in the Gobi Desert served for centuries as an important stop for trade caravans on the ancient Tea Road.

Key Development Factors

Several strategic circumstances determined the rapid development of Erenhot from a small settlement into a significant urban centre:

• Geographical Location: The city is located in the north of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, directly on the state border, which made it the country's natural "Northern Gateway".
• Transport Hub: The construction of the Trans-Mongolian Railway in the 1950s was the main catalyst for growth. It was here that a station was organised for changing train wheelsets due to the difference in track gauge, which required the creation of extensive infrastructure.
• Natural Resources: Historically, active salt mining was carried out in the vicinity of local salt lakes, which attracted people here and contributed to the economic development of the territory even before the city was founded.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

Even before the official appearance of the city administration, this area acquired worldwide scientific fame. In the 1920s, international expeditions discovered rich deposits of dinosaur fossils in the Erlian Basin, which subsequently gave Erenhot the unofficial status of "Dinosaur City".

The economy of the early period was based on servicing railway transit and the traditional nomadic herding of the local population. Over time, these factors transformed into a powerful system of border trade, which became the foundation of the city's prosperity.

Development Chronology

• 1922: The American expedition of Roy Chapman Andrews discovered the first dinosaur fossils in the vicinity, bringing worldwide fame to this region.
• 1954: Large-scale construction of the Jining–Erlian railway began, designed to connect China with neighbouring states.
• 1956: The grand opening of the railway station took place, marking the official founding of the city of Erenhot as a key transport hub.
• 1966: The administrative status of the settlement was upgraded to a county-level city within the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.
• 1985: The city received the status of a first-category checkpoint, opening it to international cargo and passenger flows.
• 1992: The State Council included Erenhot in the list of 13 border cities with special rights for conducting active foreign trade.
• 2002: The National Dinosaur Geopark was officially established, becoming a major attraction for tourists and researchers.
• 2006: Construction was completed on the famous "Kissing Dinosaurs" arch over the highway, which became a recognisable modern symbol of the city.
• 2014: A state plan was approved to create an experimental zone for development and openness to deepen economic cooperation at the border.

Milestones of Transformation and Development

The development of the city of Erenhot is a story of the transformation of a desert station into a modern centre of international trade and tourism. The key stages of this journey have formed the unique appearance of the city, combining industrial power and rich paleontological heritage.

• Launch of International Railway Services

  The opening of the railway line through Erenhot became the foundation for the birth of the city. This event turned a remote point in the Gobi Desert into a strategic dry port linking China with Mongolia and Europe, defining the logistical specialisation of the region for decades to come.

• Assignment of Open City Status (1992)

  The inclusion of Erenhot in the list of border cities with special rights gave a powerful impulse to the economy. This decision allowed for the creation of free trade zones, the attraction of foreign capital, and the stimulation of small businesses oriented towards export-import operations.

• Creation of the China-Mongolia Cooperation Zone

  The establishment of an experimental zone for economic cooperation took cross-border trade to a new level. This step simplified customs procedures and created a unified platform for businesses of the two countries, strengthening the city's role as the "Northern Gateway" of the country.

• Formation of the "Dinosaur City" Brand

  The realisation of the value of paleontological finds led to a cultural transformation. The opening of the geopark and museums allowed for the diversification of the economy, adding a powerful tourism cluster to the transit function that attracts researchers and travellers.

• Urban Modernisation and Greening

  The implementation of large-scale environmental programmes made it possible to create a comfortable urban environment in an arid climate. Artificial greening and the development of park zones became an important stage in improving the quality of life for the population and the microclimate.

• Construction of Monumental Architectural Forms

  The erection of iconic objects, such as the famous "Kissing Dinosaurs" arch, played a key role in the visual identification of the city. These structures not only adorned the landscape but also became recognisable symbols working for the city's image on the international stage.

Urban Appearance and Architectural Features

The architecture of the city of Erenhot does not possess the centuries-old layers characteristic of ancient Chinese capitals. It is a young urban project whose appearance was formed in the second half of the 20th and early 21st centuries. The city layout is distinguished by clarity and spaciousness: wide avenues and a rectangular grid of streets are designed taking into account the flat landscape of the steppe and the needs of a major transport and logistics hub.

Architectural Styles and Eras

The city's development reflects the stages of its rapid transformation from a railway station into trade gates connecting China with the north. Modern trends predominate in the appearance of the buildings:

• Industrial Functionalism (Mid-20th Century): Early development is linked to railway infrastructure. The station and adjacent service buildings are executed in a strict, utilitarian style, where form is completely subordinate to the function of servicing transit flows.
• Modern Modernism (Late 20th – Early 21st Century): With the development of international trade, multi-storey shopping centres, administrative buildings, and hotels appeared in the city. They are characterised by the use of glass, concrete, and composite materials, concise geometric forms, and a striving for height that stands out against the flat steppe.
• Thematic Postmodernism: A unique feature of Erenhot has become the integration of paleontological themes into the urban environment. Design elements referring to dinosaurs are found everywhere: from small architectural forms and street lamp designs to monumental sculptural compositions.

Iconic Structures

Despite its youth, the city possesses expressive architectural landmarks that form its recognisable silhouette:

• National Gate (Guomen): A monumental structure on the border, executed in a strict and majestic style. The massive building over the railway tracks symbolises the power and openness of the state, serving as a vivid example of modern official architecture.
• "Kissing Dinosaurs" Arch: The most famous landmark of the city, representing a synthesis of sculpture and architecture. Two giant statues of Brontosauruses, whose necks meet over the highway, form a span 80 metres wide, creating a spectacular entrance to the city.
• Dinosaur Museum: The museum building and the surrounding geopark demonstrate the approach of modern landscape architecture, fitting exhibition spaces into the natural environment of the Gobi Desert.

Notable Figures

The history of the city of Erenhot and the surrounding region is inextricably linked with the names of researchers who discovered unique "dinosaur cemeteries" to the world, as well as visionaries who laid the foundations of the transport corridor through the Gobi Desert. These individuals turned a remote postal station into a centre of world science and logistics, connecting China with neighbouring countries.

• Roy Chapman Andrews (1884–1960)
  American explorer, naturalist, and director of the American Museum of Natural History.
  Leader of the famous Central Asiatic Expeditions of the 1920s. It was his team that discovered the first scientifically confirmed dinosaur eggs in history in the Erlian Basin (the area of modern Erenhot). These discoveries brought the region global fame.
• Sun Yat-sen (1866–1925)
  Revolutionary, politician, and philosopher.
  In his work "The International Development of China", he first put forward the idea of laying a railway line connecting northern China with Mongolia and Russia. Although the railway was built after his death, it was his strategic vision that determined the location of the future city as a key transport hub.
• Xu Xing (born 1969)
  Leading Chinese paleontologist.
  One of the most productive modern dinosaur researchers. In 2005, in the vicinity of Erenhot, he described a new species — the Gigantoraptor (Gigantoraptor erlianensis). This discovery confirmed the city's status as a crucial centre of paleontology and contributed to the development of scientific tourism.
• George Olsen (late 19th – early 20th century)
  Paleontologist, participant in Andrews' expeditions.
  It is Olsen who holds the honour of finding the first fossilised dinosaur eggs in the Iren Dabasu area in 1923. Initially, the find was mistaken for the eggs of ancient birds, but further research revolutionised the understanding of dinosaur reproduction.
• Walter Granger (1872–1941)
  Chief Paleontologist of the Central Asiatic Expeditions.
  He was responsible for the scientific processing of finds in the vicinity of the future city. His works on the classification of the fauna of the Erlian Basin became the foundation for all subsequent research in this region.
• Alexei Matveevich Pozdneev (1851–1920)
  Russian orientalist and Mongolist.
  In his travels through Mongolia and China at the end of the 19th century, he described in detail the postal routes and stations in the Gobi Desert, including the Iren station (future Erenhot). His records serve as an important historical source about life in the region before the advent of the railway.