โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
45
minutes
Domestic โ International
75
minutes
International โ Domestic
75
minutes
International โ International
90
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Ordos Ejin Horo Airport (DSN) is a premier aviation facility serving the city of Ordos and the broader Inner Mongolia region of China. Located in Ejin Horo Banner, the airport acts as a critical hub for the region's booming energy and industrial sectors, while also serving as a major gateway for cultural tourism. Since achieving international status in 2013, the airport has significantly expanded its global reach, connecting the Mongolian plateau with major metropolitan hubs across China and East Asia.
The airport's infrastructure is dominated by its massive 100,300-square-meter passenger terminal, which opened in late 2013 to replace the older, smaller facilities. The terminal's architecture is a futuristic tribute to local heritage, featuring smooth, curved lines inspired by the traditional Mongolian yurt and a design concept known as "eagles of the grassland." This striking structure is designed to handle up to 12 million passengers annually, equipped with 13 jet bridges, 14 aircraft stands, and 32 modern check-in counters to ensure a high-capacity and efficient travel experience.
Inside the terminal, the experience is deeply rooted in Inner Mongolian history and culture. The sun-filled check-in hall is covered by a majestic dome, and the interior is adorned with expansive murals depicting the region's historical milestones, including a prominent oil painting illustrating the life of Genghis Khan. Facilities are comprehensive, offering travelers access to multiple business lounges, VIP rooms, and a variety of retail and dining outlets serving both local Mongolian delicacies and international cuisine. Advanced passenger services such as self-service check-in kiosks and digital information systems are available throughout the facility. Ground transportation is well-coordinated, with authorized taxis and frequent shuttle services connecting the airport to the futuristic Kangbashi district and downtown Ordos.
๐ Connection Tips
Ordos Ejin Horo is a modern gateway to Inner Mongolia's Dongsheng and Kangbashi. Use the well-organized ground transport system after arrival. Shuttle buses link the airport with the district, bus station, and hotels. For a more direct and private connection, authorized taxis are available at the curb, with a metered ride to the Dongsheng city center taking approximately 20 to 25 minutes and costing between 35 and 50 CNY.
The airport operates from a sophisticated, single-terminal layout that handles both domestic and limited international traffic, making transitions between gates extremely simple. Within the terminal, amenities include several cafes serving local Mongolian-style snacks and a variety of retail shops. Arriving at least two hours before your domestic flight to Beijing, Xi'an, or Shanghai is recommended, as security screening can experience short bursts of activity.
A vital tip for international travelers is to carry your passport at all times, as it will be checked at multiple security and check-in points. Because the airport is situated in a high-plains environment, stay hydrated and be prepared for high winds, which can occasionally impact light aircraft schedules. Lastly, use the free high-speed Wi-Fi throughout the terminal to stay connected while you wait for your boarding call.
โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
60
minutes
Domestic โ International
90
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Aral Talim Airport (ACF), with ICAO code ZWAL, is a modern public airport located in Tanan, about 12 kilometers south of Aral in Xinjiang, China. It opened on June 16, 2022, making it a relatively new regional facility designed to improve connectivity for the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. The airport operates from a single compact terminal building of about 4,509 square meters and includes six gates for passenger operations.
The terminal layout is simple, with check-in, security, and departure areas all located within one structure. This keeps walking distances short and makes navigation straightforward. Most passengers can move from the entrance to their gate in just a few minutes, which is helpful given the airport's regional role.
Security procedures at ACF follow Chinese aviation standards, including screening of carry-on bags, checked baggage, and passengers. Because the airport handles mainly domestic traffic and moderate volumes, waits are usually manageable. International immigration and customs facilities are not available on site, so those formalities must be completed at larger gateway airports in China when traveling internationally.
๐ Connection Tips
Connecting through Aral Talim Airport involves navigating China's newest desert aviation facility opened June 16, 2022, as the first airport built on collapsible loess geology serving the Tarim River Basin from its strategic position 12 kilometers south of Aral in the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps region. The Category 4C airport's 2,800-meter runway accommodates Boeing 737-800 and Airbus A320 aircraft supporting 16 planned domestic routes designed to handle 300,000 passengers, 1,100 tons of cargo, and 3,200 flights annually while integrating this remote region into the Silk Road Economic Belt initiative.
Domestic connections focus on major Chinese aviation hubs with China Southern Airlines operating Shanghai routes (flight CZ5566) while regional carriers including Tianjin Airlines, Urumqi Air, and China Express Airlines provide connectivity throughout Xinjiang and western China. The primary gateway for onward connections remains รrรผmqi Diwopu International Airport located 850 kilometers north, offering comprehensive domestic coverage and international services to Central Asia, while eastern connections through Shanghai, Beijing, and Xi'an enable access to China's extensive high-speed rail network and international gateway airports.
Ground transportation from the compact 4,509-square-meter terminal includes taxi services covering the 12-kilometer journey to Aral city center in 15 minutes for ยฅ20-30 ($3-4 USD), while the airport's location in the Tarim Basin desert requires consideration of frequent dust storms from April through September affecting visibility and flight operations. The facility's modern infrastructure includes six gates and parking positions supporting regional economic development for agricultural exports from this cotton-producing region, while serving the strategic military and economic interests of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps. Weather considerations in this extreme continental desert climate include temperature variations from -20ยฐC in winter to 40ยฐC in summer, requiring flexible scheduling for connections through this remote outpost supporting China's Belt and Road Initiative connectivity goals in Central Asia's borderlands.
โ Back to Ordos Ejin Horo Airport