Bayanhot 巴彦浩特镇 | |
|---|---|
| Mongolian transcription(s) | |
| • Mongolian | ᠪᠠᠶᠠᠨᠬᠣᠲᠠ ᠪᠠᠯᠭᠠᠰᠤ |
 Bayanhot bus station | |
 | |
| Area | |
• Town | 5,433.8 km2 (2,098.0 sq mi) |
| • Urban | 32 km2 (12 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 1,450 m (4,760 ft) |
| Population (2010) | |
• Town | 94,445 |
Bayanhot is a town in Alxa Left Banner, it is the capital and largest town of Alxa League. Its name originates from Mongolian meaning 'rich town'.[3] It was formerly known asDingyuanying (定远营镇) or Wang Ye Fu.[4] In 2010 the population was 94,445.[5]
The town is bordered by theHelan Mountains in the east and by theTengger Desert in the west.[6]
The town was established in 1730 as Dingyuanying and renamed to Bayanhot in 1952. It has historically been supplied from nearbyYinchuan,[7] and still retains good transport links with the capital of Ningxia.
The Alxa Baraghun Hiid, a large Mongol Buddhist monastery was destroyed during the Cultural Revolution but rebuilt in 2001. The Yanfu Buddhist temple has survived as one of the old Mongol town landmarks.[8]
