5 Days Classic Inner Mongolia Tour - Green Grassland & Golden Desert

Welcome to Hohhot, the capital of Inner Mongolia! Upon your arrival at the airport or train station in Hohhot, your driver will meet you at the exit and escort you to a carefully selected hotel in Hohhot City. The rest of the day is yours. Enjoy your Free Time in Hohhot City.

Located in the central part of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Hohhot serves as the gateway to stunning grasslands and deserts, including Xilamuren Grassland, Huitengxile Grassland, and the famous Kubuqi Desert. Hohhot offers the best opportunities to experience grassland scenery & activities, explore nomadic life & festivals, and delve into Mongolian culture & history.

The name "Hohhot呼和浩特" means "Green City青城" in Mongolian. Legend has it that in 1581, Genghis Khan's descendant Alatan Khan (阿拉坦汗)settled here, constructing the city walls with blue-green stones from Daqing Mountain大青山, giving rise to the city's name. Hohhot is also known as "Zhao City" due to its numerous temples (Zhao meaning temples in Mongolian). Today, Hohhot is renowned as the Dairy Capital of China (中国乳都) and is home to global dairy giants Yili and Mengniu (伊利&蒙牛), both headquartered in the city.

Hohhot is a historic city dating back to the Warring States period (476 BC-221 BC). Shaped by ongoing cultural exchanges between the Central Plains and Grassland Ethnic Groups, Hohot boasts a wealth of historical and cultural attractions, including Dazhao Temple (Tibetan Buddhism), Zhaojun Tomb (commemorating one of ancient China's Four Beauties, who married a Xiongnu Chanyu), and the Inner Mongolia Museum, which houses treasures like the Xiongnu’s Eagle-Crested Golden Crown Ornament.

Free Time Ideas:
1.Inner Mongolia Museum of General’s Government Office (将军衙署博物院; Closed on Mondays): Visit the residence of frontier generals in the Qing Dynasty, uncover why it is acclaimed as "A General's Mansion, the history of the Green City一座将军府, 半部青城史."
2.Residence of Gurun Princess Kejing (清-固伦恪靖公主府博物院; Closed on Mondays): Explore the residence of Princess Heshuo和硕公主, the sixth daughter of Emperor Kangxi康熙皇帝. It is the most well-preserved Qing Dynasty princess mansion in China.
3.Kuan Alley Food Street (宽巷子民族美食街; Muslim Quarter): Stroll at Kuanxiangzi Street of Hui District for all kind of Mongolian food & halal food, such as Lamb Haslet Soup, Shaomai, Mongolian Milk Tea, or grilled lamb kebabs. You can also pay a visit to the Hohhot Mosque (Great Mosque) nearby.

Good to Know:
1.Inner Mongolia, China's third-largest province after Xinjiang and Tibet, stretches over 2,400 km from east to west, making it the country's widest region. Bordering Russia at Manzhouli and Mongolia at Erenhot, Inner Mongolia is inhabited by 24 million people. It's an ideal Summer Destination to immerse yourself in the Mongolian culture in the Yuan Dynasty and uncover the captivating life and heritage of Genghis Khan.
2.Inner Mongolia sits at an average elevation of 1,000-1,500 meters, with strong UV rays. Pack sunglasses, a hat & sunscreen. Temperatures can fluctuate between morning & evening, so pack warm coats, long pants & sports shoes. Mongolian food tends to be salty, oily & mildly spiced. Beef, mutton & noodles are staple dishes to try.
3.If your trip to Inner Mongolia happens to coincide with the Naadam Festival (内蒙古那达慕; usually in July or August), you'll have the exciting opportunity to witness the famous Three Games of Mongolia Men (男儿三艺): horse racing, wrestling, and archery. Each grassland/city has its own time of Naadam Fair (usually lasts for 3-7 days). Feel free to contact us if you want to join this major event in Inner Mongolia.

Arrival Ideas:
1.How to get to Hohhot By Air: Hohhot Baita International Airport (呼和浩特白塔国际机场) is about 24 km away from Dazhao Temple (Note: Hohhot Shengle International Airport 呼和浩特盛乐国际机场 will soon replace it by the end of 2025; 31 km from Hohhot Train Station). Direct flights connect Hohhot with major cities in China, such as Beijing (1h 20 min), Shanghai (2h 50 min), Chengdu (2.5h), Guangzhou (3h 20min), etc. It's essential to check flight schedules in advance, as not all routes operate year-round.
2.How to get to Hohhot By High Speed Train: Hohhot can be reached by train through Hohhot East Railway Station & Hohhot Railway Station. There are high-speed trains to Hohhot from Beijing (2h 50 min), Datong (1h 28 min), Taiyuan (3h 40 min), Shanghai (12h 11min), Xian (6h 35 min), etc. Contact us for ticket booking.

This morning, you will head to Huitengxile Grassland of Ulanqab and feel the hospitality of local herdsmen by enjoying a Mongolian Welcome Ceremony. It is about a 2.5-hour drive (121 km). You will first explore Yellow Flower Valley (Huanghuagou National Geopark; 黄花沟景区), the best part of this grassland. Then, you will stay overnight at a Mongolian Traditional Yurt with a Campfire Party (Mongolian song & dance).

Huitengxile Grassland (辉腾希勒草原), the closest grassland to Beijing, is one of the World’s Largest Alpine Meadows at an altitude of over 1,800 meters. Huitengxile, in Mongolian, means “the cold plateau.” With 99 natural lakes, it has a fabulous contrast of green and blue. That is why it is a top summer destination in China & the ideal spot for photographers and nature lovers. As the biggest wind power plant in Asia, Huitengxile grassland produces a harmonized blend of natural & manmade wonders. Capture the amazing view with big winds, grassland, horses, sheep, cattle, and you.

When you reach Huitengxile Grassland (辉腾希勒草原), you will first pay a visit to the South Gate of Yellow Flower Valley (黄花沟景区) for a Meeting at Aobao Performance (《敖包相会》演出). The show recreates the grand scene of Mongolian Aobao worship and the Nadam festival. The three-act plays "Blessing," "Love Story," and "Gathering" interweave Saman rituals, galloping wolf packs, and horse-head fiddle love songs. A good way to learn about Mongolian nomadic life.

Then, enjoy your time in Yellow Flowers Valley (Huanghuagou National Geopark). Yellow Flowers Valley (altitude of 2,100 m) got its name due to the beautiful yellow flowers that bloom each summer. Extends for 10 km on the boundless grassland (300 m depth), this valley is an ancient glacial relic and is famous for its impressive geological wonders. During May to September, the whole grassland is like a beautiful painting - flowers blossom everywhere, sightseeing trains ride on the grassland, green trees and fresh grass, cattle and sheep graze freely, absurd stones, sharp peaks and cliffs, and unique geological sights.

The entire hike through Yellow Flowers Valley is about 16 km, often requiring rides on cable cars, small trains, buses, sightseeing vehicles, etc (double-check with us for the tickets to include the transportation). Additionally, you can opt for animal-drawn vehicles (self-pay) such as horse carts or camel carts . You can also engage in various activities (self-pay) within the scenic area , such as grass sliding, horse riding, archery, feeding animals, and more.

Cap off the day by participating in a lively Bonfire Party featuring Mongolian singing and dancing after dinner. Experience the enchanting starlit sky over the grassland as you spend the night in a traditional Mongolian yurt.

Dinner Optional: (Self-pay)
Mongolian Traditional Zhama Banquet Dinner (诈马宴): Try roasted whole sheep (烤全羊) and other famous Mongolian dishes while dressed in traditional Mongolian attire, enjoying Mongolian ethnic song and dance, and experiencing Mongolian silver bowl and hada ceremonial toasting rituals...

This morning, you can choose to get up early (around 4:00 am) to wait for an amazing sunrise at Huitengxile Grassland (Optional) or enjoy more Grassland Activities (Optional; Self-pay). Then, head back to Hohhot (125 km, 2.5h) to visit Inner Mongolia Museum (or Inner Mongolia Natural Museum) and Dazhao Temple. [Note: The Inner Mongolia Museum is currently closed due to moving to new buildings (updated on 23rd April, 2025), it may reopen soon. So we will arrange the trip to the Inner Mongolia Natural Museum instead].

Optional Grassland Activities: (Self-pay)
1.Horse Riding on Huitengxile Grassland if the weather permits.
2.Mongolian Family Visit for Nomadic Life Experience.

Note for Horseback Riding on Inner Mongolia Grasslands:
1.Guided Ride (Beginners): Most common and safest for first-timers. A herdsman leads your horse for a walk within a designated area.
2.Independent Ride (Experienced Riders): If you're skilled, you might rent a horse from a local herder for free riding. However, this comes with no safety guidance and isn't generally recommended.
3.The fee for Guided Ride and Independent Ride are different. Do double check the price and riding time before enjoy your horse riding.

After that, time to head to visit Inner Mongolia Museum (Closed on Mondays) for Grassland Culture. Founded in 1957, it is a national first-class museum with more than 150,000 collections, characterized by its fossils of ancient organisms (dinosaur fossils) and cultural relics of ancient Silk Road & northern ethnic groups (Mongolian, Khitan, Xiongnu). Inner Mongolia Museum is an "encyclopedia" to unveil the ecological change, culture, and historical development of the alpine grassland, deserts, forests, etc. You can trace the historical process of Inner Mongolia from prehistoric times, the Bronze Age, the Warring States to the Wei and Jin, the Liao and Jin, the Mongolian-Yuan to the Ming and Qing Dynasties, as well as modern times.

Take your time to find the Treasures of Inner Mongolia Museum‌‌, such as Golden Crown of the Xiongnu King (1,934 grams eagle crown of Warring States Period; 475–221 BC; 战国鹰形金冠饰), Painted Wooden Coffin (Liao Dynasty; over 1,000-year-old; 彩绘棺具), Incense Burner from Jun Kiln (小宋自造均瑶香炉; Yuan Dynasty), Nurosaurus Fossile (the biggest dinosaur in the Cretaceous Period in Asia), Northern Wei: Deer Head Gold Step Shaking Crown (北魏鹿首金步摇冠), Liao Dynasty Golden Mask (辽代黄金面具)…

Then, pay a visit to Dazhao Temple (大召寺/大召无量寺). The Dazhao Temple, founded by Alatan Khan (阿拉坦汗/俺答汗; 1508-1582), the leader of the Mongolian Tumote tribe in the Ming Dynasty, was established in 1579. In the square in front of the Dazhao Temple, you will see the legendary builder of the temple, Alatan Khan (the reincarnations of Kublai Khan 忽必烈的转世). The temple is also known as the "Silver Buddha Temple" because it houses a statue of Sakyamuni made of 30,000 taels of pure silver (brought to light by the 3rd Dalai Lama, Sonam Gyatso, the reincarnations of Buton Rinchen Drub; 三世达赖喇嘛索南嘉措/八思巴的转世).

The Dazhao Temple is also known as the "Three Wonders" - the silver Buddha, dragon carvings, and mural, which are all historical relics from the Ming Dynasty. This temple is not only the earliest Tibetan Buddhist temple in Hohhot but also the largest Tibetan Buddhist holy site (Yellow Sect Gelug School) in Inner Mongolia. The temple is laid out in a north-south direction along the central axis, combining Han, Tibetan, and Mongolian architectural styles, attracting architecture enthusiasts and photographers for its Royal Architecture with Yellow glazed tiles (黄琉璃瓦), which can only be used in royal buildings.

In the Qing Dynasty, the Dazhao Temple was also the ancestral temple of Emperor Kangxi (康熙皇帝; 1654-1722). To this day, the tablets of Emperor Kangxi and his father, Shunzhi (顺治皇帝), are still enshrined in the temple. Inside the main hall, you can see the over 400-year-old silver-cast Buddha statue (made by Nepalese craftsmen), a golden coiled dragon about 10 meters high before the silver Buddha, as well as precious cultural relics such as the dragon and phoenix peacock umbrella, the pearl octagonal palace lantern, the wealth deity statue gifted by Kangxi Emperor to Dazhao, and precious Tangkas from the Ming and Qing dynasties.

Don't miss the Sakyamuni Eight Pagodas (释迦八塔) at the Dazhao Temple, representing the eight virtues of the Buddha. Additionally, on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month and the fifteenth day of the sixth lunar month each year (Buddha Thangka Unveiling Ceremony; 晒佛节/恰木舞蹈), the Dazhao Temple hangs giant Tangkas from the temple's precious collection on the scripture drying poles. Try your luck to meet local evens in Dazhao Temple. At last, overnight in Hohhot.

Free Time Idea:
1.Visit More Temples in Hohhot: You can hike to more landmarks of Hohhot, such as Xilitu Zhao Temple (席力图召/小召寺; across the street from Dazhao Temple; Self-pay) & Five Pagodas Temple (五塔寺博物馆; about 1 km from Dazhao Temple; Closed on Mondays).
2.Explore Hohhot Food: You can take a stroll from Altan Khan Square (阿拉坦汗广场/大召广场; Dazhao Square for Altan Khan Statue) to Saishang Old Street (塞上老街) and Tongshun Alley (通顺大巷). These are popular streets (near Dazhao Temple) with Ming and Qing-style buildings for enjoying local food and shopping for local souvenirs.

This morning, head to Kubuqi Desert (185 km, 2.5h) of Ordos. Then, enjoy all kinds of desert activities in Resonant Sand Bay (Sounding Sand Bay), the Disneyland in the Desert.

Kubuqi Desert (库布其沙漠) is the seventh-largest desert in China. It was once renowned as the “Sea of Death”. Now, with tree planting projects & the development of solar energy over the generations, the vegetation coverage has been significantly improved. It is promising to witness the Sea of Death become the Sea of Green. Now, the Kubuqi Desert is one of the top desert destinations in China.

You can visit the most classic part of the Kubuqi Desert by having fun at Resonant Sand Bay (响沙湾), famous as the Disney of the Desert. It is one of China's Four Singing Sand Dunes and named after the phenomenon of "sounding sands". It combines desert landscapes, entertainment, and vacation experiences, making it an excellent destination for desert exploration and leisure. Sounding Sand Bay offers a variety of desert activities at both Xiansha Island (仙沙岛; with sand activities) and Yuesha Island (悦沙岛; with a water park; Kids-friendly). (Note: Do double check with us for the ticket/fees with desert activities in Xiansha Island OR Yuesha Island). Xiansha Island offers more activities than Yuesha Island.

Highlights of Resonant Sand Bay:
1.Xiansha Island: This playground in the desert is known as the "Disneyland in the desert. " It features sand yachting, rail bikes, Polaris ATVs, high-altitude zip lines, camel rides, the Guolao Theater's performance of "Legend of Guolao果老传奇," the Summit of Singing Sands (flying tower), roller coasters, children's play facilities, and more.
2.Yuesha Island: A water-based amusement park in the desert, focusing on cultural experiences, including sightseeing trains, the national intangible cultural heritage performance "Ordos Wedding," Mongolian costume cultural exhibitions, authentic Mongolian throat singing performances, themed parades, water parks, sand sculpture parks, children's play facilities, and more.

Desert Travel Tips:
1.It is recommended to stay at Lotus Hotel (5-star hotel莲花酒店) or Fusha Island Hotel (Mongolian yurts福沙岛酒店) within the scenic area. Both hotels offer VIP privileges, allowing you to skip queues for some attractions. Hotel activities such as stargazing dinners, bonfire parties, archery, wrestling, etc., require booking.
2.Sunscreen, sand protection, and hydration: It is advisable to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, hats, and protective clothing. High-top shoes are essential for sand protection. Protect your phone and camera from sand. The desert is dry, so carry more than 2 liters of water per person.
3.Desert Dress code: Wear light, long-sleeved clothing for UV protection in summer and down jackets in winter (there is a significant temperature difference between day and night).
4.Safety and environmental protection tips: Do not venture alone into uninhabited areas, follow project safety regulations, and be cautious on steep dunes. Do not litter; protect the desert ecosystem.
5.Seasonal limitations: In summer (July-August), you can enjoy the desert pool. In winter, there are fewer visitors, and the snow desert landscape is unique, but some activities may be closed.
6.Photography tips: The best lighting for capturing dunes is one hour after sunrise and one hour before sunset, when the light and shadows create the most striking contrasts.

After the adventure in Resonant Sand Bay of Kubuqi Desert, time to head back to your hotel.

This morning, you can choose to get up early (around 4:00 am) to wait for an amazing sunrise at the Kubuqi Desert (Optional). Then, head for Hohhot for your next destination.

Free Time Ideas: (If Time Permits)
1.Uncover Dashengkui Museum Cluster (大盛魁博物馆集群; 1.1 km from Dazhao Temple): It comprises the Dashengkui Cultural Museum (Closed on Mondays), Yongsheng Ceramic Museum, Morin Khuur Museum (Horse-head Fiddle Museum)... Established by Jin/Shanxi merchants (晋商), Dashengkui was China's first privately owned joint-stock enterprise along the Tea Road between China and Russia. Dashengkui, nicknamed "Half Guihua City 半个归化城", brought prosperity to Guihua City (Hohhot).

At last, it is time to end your 5 Days Hohhot Tour with Huitengxile Grassland & Kubuqi Desert. Thank you for choosing Asia Odyssey Travel (AOT) for your China Tour, and we are always here working for you and hope to see you again for your next trip to Asia. Safe journey!

Extension Ideas:
1.You can extend your Hohhot Tour to other cities in Inner Mongolia, such as Baotou, Ordos, Ejin Banner, Badain Jaran Desert, and Hulunbuir. Please feel free to let us know, we can help you with the arrangements.
2.You can extend your Inner Mongolia Tour to other cities in China, such as Beijing, Shanxi (Datong/Pingyao/Wutaishan/Taiyuan), Gansu (Zhangye/Lanzhou/Dunhuang/Jiayuguan), Ningxia, Xian, Luoyang, Chengdu (Sichuan), and Shanghai, etc. We can customize your itinerary.