Hohhot

Hohhot, the capital of Inner Mongolia, lies between the Daqing Mountains and the Hetao Plateau. In the city center, you'll find the 16th-century Dazhao Temple, where a 2.5-meter silver Buddha sits amid colorful murals. The Five-Pagoda Temple's distinctive Indian-style towers rise 16 meters high. When you venture beyond the city, the Xilamuren and Gegentala grasslands extend for hundreds of kilometers, with yurt camps where you can sleep under the stars. Two major dairy companies, Mengniu and Yili, produce milk products here, making Hohhot China's main dairy production center.

Getting to Hohhot

You can fly to Baita International Airport from major Chinese cities or take direct flights from Ulaanbaatar and Moscow. The high-speed train from Beijing takes under three hours. Two main stations serve the city: Hohhot Station and Hohhot East Station, connecting to destinations across northern China.

Weather and Best Time to Visit

Winters drop below freezing with little snow, while summer days reach 26°C (79°F). The temperature often falls by 10-15°C between day and night. Visit in July or August when temperatures stay between 15°C and 26°C (59-79°F) - perfect for grassland trips. Strong winds blow through spring, but autumn brings clear skies and mild weather.

Moving Around the City

Take green or blue taxis anywhere in the city, starting at 8 yuan per ride. The bus network runs on nearly 100 routes, with each ride costing 1 yuan. You can walk between most temples and museums in the central districts within 20-30 minutes.

Buddhist Temples

At Dazhao Temple (built 1580), you'll see three main treasures: a 2.5-meter silver Buddha, walls covered in dragon carvings, and Ming Dynasty murals depicting Buddhist stories. The Five-Pagoda Temple's five stone towers show clear Indian architectural elements, with carved Sanskrit texts and Buddhist symbols. Both temples still hold regular prayer sessions and ceremonies.

Grassland Areas

Drive 93 kilometers to reach Xilamuren Grassland, where you can sleep in a round felt yurt, ride horses across the plains, and watch traditional wrestling matches during the July Naadam Festival. At Gegentala Grassland, 128 kilometers from Hohhot, marked hiking paths lead through wildflower meadows, and local families prepare traditional dairy tea in their yurts.

Local Food Scene

Mongolian dishes fill restaurant menus across Hohhot, especially lamb-based meals and dairy products. Start your day with suutei tsai (salty milk tea) and fresh yogurt. Local restaurants cook lamb in hot pots or grill it over wood fires. Markets and shops throughout the city sell locally produced cheese, milk, and yogurt from the city's dairy factories.