Hohhot

Hohhot is best visited from May to October. Grasslands and mountain areas can have marked temperature differences between day and night, so bring a jacket even in summer.

• Dazhao Temple: One of Hohhot’s earliest Tibetan Buddhist temples, known for its silver Buddha, dragon carvings and murals, called the temple’s “three wonders.” In the evening, the red walls and golden roofs make a striking backdrop. It is suitable for photos in Mongolian robes. Admission is about ¥35.

• Inner Mongolia Museum: An important venue for learning about grassland civilization, with highlights including a Warring States Xiongnu gold crown and the Chagannor dragon fossil. Admission is free, but advance reservations are required. Closed on Mondays.

• Chilechuan Grassland: Located on the outskirts of the city, about a 30-minute drive away. The grassland is flat and expansive, with sunset views in the evening. A good place for a walk and a break. Admission is free.

• Ulan Hada Volcano: This area preserves striking volcanic landforms. You can follow the boardwalk to the top of Volcano No. 3. The black lava surface of Volcano No. 6 resembles the moon’s surface, and spacesuits are available to rent for photos. A self-drive ticket costs about ¥60 per car.

• Huitengxile Yellow Flower Valley: Wind turbines stand across the alpine grassland, with wide-open views. Day and night temperatures vary considerably, so bring a warm jacket. Combination tickets start at ¥120.

• Xiangshawan: A desert recreation area divided into Xiangsha Island, focused on thrill rides, and Yuesha Island, which has a desert swimming pool. Activities include playing in the sand, camel riding and sandboarding. Basic tickets cost about ¥130 and include the cable car.

• Princess Heshuo’s Residence: The residence of Kangxi’s sixth daughter and one of the best-preserved Qing-dynasty princess residences outside Beijing. Red walls, gray tiles, pavilions and gardens create a picturesque setting for traditional-style photos. Free entry with reservation.

• Saishang Old Street: A Ming- and Qing-style neighborhood lined with handmade leather goods and ethnic accessories. Good for a stroll and browsing. Check prices carefully before buying souvenirs, as some items are heavily marked up.

Food Recommendations

Hohhot’s cuisine centers on beef and mutton, dairy products and noodles, so it is best sampled at different times of day.

• Mutton shaomai: A traditional local breakfast. One liang is measured by wrapper weight and usually contains about eight dumplings. The mutton and scallion filling is savory, fragrant and juicy. Try Lao Suiyuan Shaomai, Deshunyuan or Qinyuan.

• Ice-cooked mutton: Ice cubes and mutton are heated together in one pot, resulting in tender meat. Zecheng Ice-Cooked Mutton and Sanheyuan are both good choices.

• Mutton offal: A common street breakfast featuring softly stewed tripe and intestines. Chili oil adds a rich aroma, and it is usually served with beizi. Lao Beier Offal Restaurant and Daobei Mutton Offal are representative choices.

• Beizi: A locally baked flaky pastry available in flavors such as beef tongue, brown sugar and plain. It is often eaten as a breakfast staple. Yang Laoda Beizi Shop is a place to buy it.

• Cheese milk-tofu cake: This pastry from Xingyue Pastries often draws a queue. When pulled apart, the cheese stretches into strands and has a pronounced milky flavor. It tastes best warm.

• Xiguo sweet soup: Made by simmering dried apricots and persimmon cakes, this sweet-and-sour soup is appetizing and contains pieces of fruit. It is good for refreshing the palate.

Itinerary Suggestions

Choose a city-center cultural route based on your length of stay, or add nearby grasslands, deserts and volcanoes.

• 2-day weekend trip (city culture):
  • Day 1: Dazhao Temple ➡️ Xilituzhao Temple ➡️ Saishang Old Street (photos) ➡️ Ba’erhan Pagoda ➡️ Ice-cooked mutton for dinner.
  • Day 2: Inner Mongolia Museum (allow 3 hours) ➡️ Princess Heshuo’s Residence ➡️ Eat at Kuan Alley Food Street ➡️ Depart.
• 3-day classic trip (grasslands and temples):
  • Day 1: Visit the ancient temples in the city center, including Dazhao and Xilituzhao, then head to Saishang Old Street in the evening.
  • Day 2: Watch the sunset at Chilechuan Grassland, or visit Ulan Hada Volcano for spacesuit photos.
  • Day 3: Inner Mongolia Museum ➡️ General’s Office ➡️ Buy souvenirs ➡️ Depart.
• 5-day in-depth trip (grasslands, desert and volcanoes):
  • Add the wind-turbine grassland at Huitengxile Yellow Flower Valley and desert activities at Xiangshawan to the 3-day itinerary. Return to the same hotel in the city each day, so you do not need to move your luggage frequently.

Accommodation Guide

• Dazhao Temple/Saishang Old Street area: A good first-time choice. Ancient temples and the old street are within walking distance, and the neighborhood has a lively local atmosphere. Suitable for travelers who enjoy old-city scenery and Mongolian-robe photos. Street-facing rooms may be noisy at night.

• Xinhua Square/Hohhot Station: Metro Lines 1 and 2 intersect here, making travel convenient. Restaurants and shopping malls are concentrated nearby, making it suitable for itineraries focused on cultural attractions in the city.

• Hohhot East Railway Station: The main high-speed rail hub, with many newer hotels nearby. The metro provides direct access to the city center. Suitable for travelers arriving or departing by high-speed rail or planning longer grassland trips.

• Near Princess Heshuo’s Residence: Relatively quiet, close to parks and surrounded by many affordable restaurants. Suitable for travelers on a budget who value quiet accommodation.

Transportation Guide

• By air: Baita International Airport is about 14 km from the city center. Take an airport bus or taxi.
• By high-speed rail: Hohhot East Railway Station is the main high-speed rail station, with Metro Line 1 providing direct access to the old city. Hohhot Station is in the old city, near the Drum Tower food area.
• Getting around the city: The metro and shared bicycles are convenient. For trips between Dazhao, Saishang Old Street and the Drum Tower, consider these options first.
• Getting to outlying areas: Grasslands and volcanoes have limited public transport. Self-driving, hiring a car, or joining a reputable day tour is recommended.

Practical Tips

• Museum reservations: The Inner Mongolia Museum requires reservations seven days in advance at 20:00. It is closed on Mondays, and you must bring your ID card to enter. Holiday slots fill quickly.
• Temperature changes and sun protection: Grasslands and mountain areas have large day-night temperature differences. Even in summer, bring a shell jacket or a down-jacket liner. Also bring sunglasses, a sun hat and high-SPF sunscreen.
• Buying local products: Beef jerky and dairy products around Dazhao and Kuan Alley may be overpriced. You can navigate to Mengwu Super Factory in Xishuimo Village, Yuquan District, where prices are clearly marked and samples are available. It stays open until 11 p.m.
• Mongolian-robe photos: Rental stalls outside Dazhao Temple may attract customers with a low initial price and add fees later. When booking, confirm whether makeup and false eyelashes are included, and ask whether the clothing is washed after each customer.
• Grassland customs: Do not step on the threshold when entering a yurt. Do not photograph local people without permission or trample the grassland.
• Ordering shaomai: Hohhot shaomai is ordered by wrapper weight, with “one liang” usually meaning about eight dumplings. One liang is generally enough for an adult, so avoid ordering too much.