The Meidaizhao Museum stands at the foot of the Yinshan Mountains. [Photo/Baotou Evening News]

The Meidaizhao Museum, built in the shape of a Mandala flower in full bloom, was first opened to the public in September 2009.

There are 528 items in the museum's collection, including 120 precious cultural relics, divided into four units with themes including Shamanism and murals.

The first unit, with its theme of Shamanism, illustrates the beliefs of the Mongolian people before they came to believe in Tibetan Buddhism. 

The second unit shows the changing dynamics of the relationship between the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and Mongolia, from war to peace, and explores the influence of agriculture, handicrafts, and the commercial civilization of the Central Plains on the regions beyond the Great Wall.

The third unit shows the interactive relationship between Tibetan Buddhism and Mongolian culture, and tells the story of Mongolian-Tibetan cultural exchanges. 

The murals on display in the museum[Photo/Baotou Evening News]

In the fourth unit, the paintings of Meidaizhao's inner murals - more than 100 square meters in total - were selected for exhibition, showing their exquisiteness and richness.

According to historical records, before Tibetan Buddhism was introduced to Mongolia, Shamanism, a primitive polytheism, was the universal belief of the Mongolian people prior to the birth of Genghis Khan.

In major national ceremonies, such as the offer of sacrifices to heaven or to ancestors -- the shaman absolutely occupied the dominant position in the ceremony.

Nowadays, people's awareness of shamans is mostly obtained through film and television works. In the exhibition hall of the Meidaizhao Museum, there are complete ancient shamanic costumes and musical instruments.

An important center for the spread of Tibetan Buddhism in Mongolia, the Meidaizhao Museum also houses two Mongolian translations of the Tibetan Buddhist scriptures, imported from Tibet.

Address: Meidaizhao village, Meidaizhao town, Tumd Right Banner, Baotou, Inner Mongolia autonomous region

Opening hours: 8:00-18:30 (It is sometimes adjusted to 9:00-17:00 in winter) 

The museum is in the shape of a Mandala flower in full bloom. [Photo/Baotou Evening News]