# Hohhot travel guide (呼和浩特) Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region · North China, China · 19 places Canonical: https://cnatrip.com/en/destinations/inner-mongolia/hohhot ## Quick itinerary - **Day 1:** Inner Mongolia Museum → Dazhao Temple → Xilitu Zhao Temple → Great Mosque → Islamic Culture Street (eat halal snacks nearby) - **Day 2:** Wang Zhaojun’s Tomb → Mongolian Cultural Park → Wusutu Zhao Temple - **Day 1:** Hohhot → Hasuhai Lake → Wudang Lamasery (Wudangzhao) → Baotou (overnight) - **Day 2:** Baotou → Meiligen → Kubuqi Desert → Xiangshawan (Singing Sand Bay) → Hohhot - **Day 3:** Hohhot → Xilamuren Grassland (or Huitengxile Grassland) ## The feel of the place - **Dairy Capital:** Backed by many national dairy enterprises, Hohhot could hardly fail to be called the “Dairy Capital”. In the suburbs and the villages of the surrounding banners and counties, you will regularly come across small herds of dairy cows ambling about, and the strong smell of cow dung hangs in the air. Even more heartening is that every city, district and township leader says: “Given Hohhot’s position in the national dairy industry, we must raise our dairy cows well, and we are determined to do so.” - **Liquor and Song:** Faced with the vast, boundless grassland, raising one’s arm in a shout would feel meaningless, so liquor and song became the distinctive way nomadic grassland peoples express their feelings. Especially when welcoming distant guests who are rarely seen, Mongolian hospitality takes the form of a silver bowl lifted on a hada scarf and a blessing song sung over the drink. Warm affection flows as freely as the liquor, bowl after bowl and song after song, without end. - **Being a Guest:** When entering a ger (Mongolian yurt), walk around the left side of the stove. Sit on the west and north sides of the ger; the east side is where the host lives, so avoid sitting there. When taking a seat, do not block the Buddha image hanging on the north wall. Inside, you may sit on the floor without removing your shoes, but do not sit on the threshold. In winter, do not walk carelessly on the north and west sides of the ger, as the snow there is meant to be melted for drinking water. - **Offering Tea:** At a tourist site or a herder’s home, the host will first offer each guest a bowl of milk tea. Slightly rise from your seat and receive it with both hands or your right hand. Never use your left hand, which is regarded as a lack of manners. If you don’t want tea, tap the rim of the bowl lightly with the ladle or the spout of the pot, and the host will understand. - **Offering a Toast:** Offering liquor to guests is the traditional Mongolian way of showing respect and affection. When the host offers a drink, the guest should not decline, pull back or refuse to drink. Instead, immediately accept the bowl or cup and dip the ring finger into the liquor, flicking it toward the sky, the ground and the stove to honour the gods of heaven, earth and fire. If you cannot drink, there is no need to force yourself; you may simply touch the liquor to your lips to acknowledge the host’s generosity. - **Presenting a Hada:** Presenting a hada is a courtesy used by Mongolian herders when greeting and seeing off guests, and in everyday dealings. When a hada is presented to you, stand and face the person offering it, listen attentively to the blessing or eulogy, and accept the toast. On receiving the hada, bow slightly forward so the giver can drape it around your neck, then press your palms together at your chest and thank them. ## The feel of the place ### Traditional Sports Boyikuo and neck-strength contests are traditional sports of the Daur people. Boyikuo is similar to modern hockey: a wooden ball filled with an oily substance is set alight, and players strike the burning fireball back and forth at night. The flaming ball passing from player to player, like a dragon chasing a pearl, makes for a striking spectacle. ### Warmth and Sun Protection When travelling in Inner Mongolia, especially in spring and winter, bring cold-resistant, insulated clothing if you can. Don’t forget sun protection products and sunglasses too. ### Preparation and Information ### Language The Mongols have their own language, but local residents of Hohhot can all understand and speak Mandarin. They speak quickly, but communication is largely unproblematic. ### Climate and Travel Season Hohhot has a temperate continental monsoon climate with distinct seasons. Winters are long and bitterly cold, and summers are short and hot, while spring and autumn see dramatic weather swings. The day-night temperature gap in Hohhot can reach 20°C within a single day, so even summer visitors should bring long sleeves. The best time to visit is April to October. ### Festivals “Little New Year” and “Big New Year”: traditional Mongolian festivals. Little New Year falls on the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month, and Big New Year on the first day of the first lunar month. Naadam Grassland Tourism Festival: July to August each year. Inner Mongolia Grassland Tourism Festival: held in Hohhot around August each year. ### Customs ## Getting there & around ### Getting There & Away ### By Air Hohhot Baita Airport is located 15 km northeast of the city centre. Multiple routes connect it with major cities such as Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Shanghai, Chifeng and Ulanhot. ### By Rail Hohhot lies on the Jingbao Railway and has passenger train services to dozens of cities, including Beijing, Xi'an, Hulunbuir, Lanzhou and Yinchuan. Hohhot also has international trains to Ulaanbaatar and Moscow. A high-speed rail line now links Hohhot with Beijing, with the fastest journey taking just 2 hours. ### Local Festivals First Month: known in Mongolian as Chagan Sar (White Month, or the first lunar month), meaning New Year or Spring Festival. Ovoo Worship: “ovoo” is a Mongolian word meaning heap or mound. Ovoos are usually built on high mountains or hills as solid, cone-shaped towers of stacked stones. Ovoo worship is one of the major sacred rituals of the Mongolian people, and large-scale ceremonies are held on the 13th day of the fifth lunar month each year. ### Vernacular Architecture The Daur people live in places backed by mountains and near water. Their homes and courtyards are neatly built and usually enclosed by fences woven from red willow, birch poles or cornstalks. The roof ridges project outward, forming a “介” shape, which is why these are called “jie-shaped houses.” Following the Daur tradition of valuing the west, the west room serves as the main living space, with connected kangs (heated platforms) along its south, west and north sides, forming what is known as the “manzi kang.” - tip: The “Noble” Sheep 1. “Good food doesn't come cheap”: a roast whole lamb, not even especially large, is sometimes quoted at ¥1000. 2. Lamb offal holds a special place among the local snacks. ### Metro Hohhot currently has two metro lines in operation. Line 1 connects Hohhot East Railway Station with the airport, and Line 2 reaches Hohhot Railway Station. ### Road The Hohhot–Baotou Expressway serves the area. Every county in the municipality is now connected by road, and roads have also reached previously isolated farming and pastoral areas and border regions. Dozens of long-distance coaches depart daily for nearby towns. Several passenger bus routes have also been opened to border provinces and regions in Mongolia and Russia. ### Getting Around the City Multiple bus routes radiate from the city centre to all parts of the urban area. Thousands of taxis operate around the clock throughout the city's streets and lanes. The flag fall is ¥8 for the first 2 km, then ¥1.5 per km. Hohhot is compact, and most parts of the city can be reached for ¥15. Metro Lines 1 and 2 are now open. - phone: Taxi booking hotline: 0471-8936669 - **Hohhot Railway Station** — (41 Chezhan East Street, Xincheng District) - **Hohhot East Railway Station** — (Wantong Road, Xincheng District) ## Eat & drink Hohhot's food scene is wild and distinctive, featuring pheasant, wild vegetables, wild mushrooms and a dizzying array of game dishes that are all delicious. Signature dishes include whole roast lamb, hand-held mutton (shou ba rou), roast lamb leg, fried milk grains (chaomi), milk skin (naiPIzi), milk tofu (naidoufu), mare's milk wine and Zhaojun wine, among others. Hand-held mutton and whole roast lamb are the standouts: a whole plump lamb is roasted over blazing flames until the skin turns crisp and golden, sizzling as fragrant sesame oil drips down, its aroma irresistible. - **Inner Mongolia Restaurant (Inner Mongolia Library Branch)** — The best dishes here include roast lamb ribs, steamed crab, steamed lamb hooves and freshly sliced roast lamb, along with many tasty desserts. (31 Wulanchabu West Road, Saihan District, 0471-6938888) - **Gerile Ama** — A well-known local brand specialising in Mongolian cuisine. Cheese pies, guo cha (tea pot tea), camel meat pies and sand onion lamb buns are all popular. (Block B, Yutai Business Plaza, 200 m north of Jinfenghuang, Jinqiao Road, 0471-5232787) ## Shopping As the regional capital of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Hohhot brings together local specialty products from across Inner Mongolia. ### Shopping Recommendations For local specialties, the best place to shop is the street-side markets, including the city's largest farm and produce market, where you can find nearly every kind of regional product at good value. Visitors looking for Mongolian-themed souvenirs can browse the Inner Mongolia Cultural Relics Store on Xilin North Road. ### Top Picks “Shandan” brand jacquard blankets and yarn, Ordos cashmere sweaters, Mongolian knives, Mongolian carpets, fat choy (black moss), kou mo mushrooms, huhuer (snuff bottles), Balin bloodstone, and “Shou” brand oat flakes (Yinshan oats). ## Where to stay Hohhot offers a wide range of accommodation. Besides star-rated hotels, there are many guesthouses and budget inns with basic facilities and reasonable hygiene standards at low prices, making them good value. You can also stay with herding families in the suburbs or sleep in a Mongolian yurt. ## Things to see - **Dazhao Temple (Wuliang Temple, Ike Zhao)** (★★★★): Admission ¥35; Opening hours 8：30—17：00; Time needed 2–3 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/dazhao-temple-wuliang-temple-ike-zhao - **Xilitu Zhao Temple** (★★★★): Admission ¥30; Opening hours 9:00–17:00 (winter schedule); 8:00–18:00 (summer schedule); Time needed 1 hour — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/xilitu-zhao-temple - **Inner Mongolia Museum** (★★★★): Admission Free (advance reservation required); Opening hours 9:00–17:00 (closed on Mondays); Time needed 2–3 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/inner-mongolia-museum - **Wusutu Zhao Temple** (★★★): Admission ¥25; Opening hours 8：00—18：00; Time needed 2–3 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/wusutu-zhao-temple - **Great Mosque** (★★★★): Admission ¥5; Opening hours 8：30—18：00; Time needed 1 hour — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/great-mosque-hohhot - **Islamic Cultural Street** (★★★): Admission Free; Time needed 1 hour — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/islamic-cultural-street - **Wuta Temple (Five-Pagoda Temple)** (★★★): Admission Free; Opening hours 9:00–17:00 (closed on Mondays); Time needed 1–2 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/wuta-temple-five-pagoda-temple - **Saishang Old Street** (★★★★): Admission ¥65; Opening hours 9:00–17:00 (summer); 9:30–17:00 (winter); Time needed 1–2 hours; 1–2 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/saishang-old-street ## Day trips & beyond - **Hadamen National Forest Park** (★★★★): Admission ¥40; Opening hours 8:30–17:30 (scenic area open May–November only); Time needed 3–6 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/hadamen-national-forest-park - **Xilamuren Grassland** (★★★★): Time needed 1 day — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/xilamuren-grassland - **Wudang Lamasery (Wudangzhao)** (★★★★★): Admission ¥60; Time needed 2–3 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/wudang-lamasery-wudangzhao - **Kubuqi Desert** (★★★★): Time needed 1 day — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/kubuqi-desert - **Chilechuan Grassland** (★★★★): Time needed 1 day — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/chilechuan-grassland - **Xiangshawan (Singing Sand Bay)** (★★★★): Admission ¥130 (includes cable car); Opening hours 8：30—18：00; Time needed 2–8 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/xiangshawan-singing-sand-bay - **Meiligen** (★★★): Admission ¥65 (admission + round-trip sightseeing shuttle); Opening hours 8:30–17:30 (Monday to Friday); 8:00–18:00 (Saturday and Sunday); Time needed 1–3 days — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/meiligen - **Huiteng Xile Grassland** (★★★★): Opening hours 7：55—18：00; Time needed 1 day — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/huiteng-xile-grassland - **Mausoleum of Genghis Khan Scenic Area** (★★★★): Admission Peak season: ¥170; off-season: ¥150; Time needed 2–3 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/mausoleum-of-genghis-khan-scenic-area - **Northern Weapons City (Beifang Bingqi Cheng)** (★★★): Admission ¥15; Opening hours 8:00–19:00 (April–September); 8:00–18:00 (October–March); Time needed 2–3 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/northern-weapons-city-beifang-bingqi-cheng - **Huanghuagou Grassland** (★★★★): Admission ¥155; Opening hours 8:30–17:30 (April 15 to October 17); Time needed 3–4 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/huanghuagou-grassland --- Source: China Self-Guided Travel 2025 (《中国自助游》, Tianjin Science & Technology Press, Aug 2024), pp. 1865–1880. Prices, hours and transport details are as printed in the August 2024 edition and may have changed. Always confirm with the venue before you travel.