See you at the 'aobao'

There is a famous Mongolian folk song Aobao Xianghui (Let's Meet at the Aobao) that most Chinese people can sing. The song describes a young fellow waiting anxiously for his girlfriend beside an aobao on a moonlit night.

Aobao means "stone heap" in the Mongolian language. These unique structures have long been regarded as signposts helping people find their way in the vast grasslands. They are also dating places for young people.

My hometown is Baotou, located about 80 km away from Xilamuren Grassland and I went there to see aobao quite often in my childhood.

It was said that in ancient times local people admired heroes who died on the battlefield. They buried their heroes in aobao and planted their swords or axes on top of the stone pile. Later, aobao became places for local people to offer sacrifices to the God of the Mountain and God of War.

Mongolian people believe people live on Earth whereas gods live in heaven. This is why aobao are built on high places such as hills.

I once spent a few months living with local nomads on Xilamuren Grassland and got a close look at their lifestyles.

One of my most treasured memories was of the horse racing.

Mongolian people regard horses as their friends. On festivals and holidays, herdsmen organize their horse races. The contests are divided into walking and running races. The walking race combines speed, steadiness and beauty. The running race is from 20 to 30 km. Before the race, riders will select their horses and invite experienced aides to train them.

The competing horses and riders will be dressed up. Winners are awarded big prizes and the horses will have red ribbons hung on them - a major honor.

Baotou is also famous for the Kubuqi Desert, located south of the Yellow River.

Kubuqi means "bowstring" in Mongolian. Resonant Sand Gorge is situated at the north-edge of the Kubuqi Desert.

The sand gorge is not easily accessible and has numerous sand dunes. It got its name from the echoing "shhhh" the sand makes as you step on it. Visitors here can try camel rides, parasailing, sliding down the dunes or simply building sand castles.

(China Daily 03/13/2008 page20)