7 Days Naadam Festival Tour 2026: Attend the Grandest Festival in Inner Mongolia

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.

You can visit Inner Mongolia Museum, Zhaojun Museum (Zhaojun Tomb), and Dazhao Temple today. [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.]

You can 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, you can visit Zhaojun Museum. It is about 14 km from Dazhao Temple, where you can visit Zhaojun Tomb, Museum of Hun Culture, Chanyu Big Tent (Dance Show about Zhanjun’s Wedding), Heqin Palace (Culture about Making Peace through Marriage), Zhaojun Room, and Painting & Calligraphy Room (Art Works about Zhaojun).

The Zhaojun Museum, where you can learn about the renowned historical figure Wang Zhaojun from the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - 24 AD). Wang Zhaojun was among the four most beautiful women in ancient China. Legend has it that these four ladies were so stunning that they could "make fish sink, wild geese descend, shame the moon, and make flowers blush沉鱼/落雁/闭月/羞花". The phrase "wild geese descend落雁" comes from the tale of Zhaojun Chu Sai (昭君出塞). In 33 BC, during a meeting between the Xiongnu Emperor, Hu Han Ye Chanyu (呼韩邪单于), and the Western Han Emperor, Liushi (汉元帝刘奭), Chanyu expressed his willingness to marry a Han woman to establish peace. Wang Zhaojun, a concubine of Emperor Liushi, volunteered to marry Chanyu to promote harmony between their people. Saying goodbye to her rich homeland, she ventured beyond the Great Wall to the Chanyu's impoverished grassland dwelling.

During her travels, amidst the rolling yellow sands and the sounds of galloping horses and wild geese, Wang Zhaojun felt unsettled. To soothe her emotions, she played a sorrowful tune on her instrument. Her poignant music, combined with her beauty, mesmerized the migrating wild geese, causing them to stop mid-flight and fall to the ground. This captivating moment led to the poetic nickname "wild geese descend" for Wang Zhaojun. Her selfless act paved the way for over 60 years of peace between the Han and Xiongnu. This historical event is passed down from generation to generation and is widely known as Zhaojun Chu Sai. Wang Zhaojun is now revered for her grace, intelligence, and diplomacy, with her story immortalized in Chinese poetry, drama, and literature.

You will see the bronze statues of Wang Zhaojun and her husband near Zhaojun Tomb, depict a vivid picture of them riding horses and talking to each other intimately. It symbolizes not only their love, but also the friendship between the Han & the Xiongnu (a nomadic ethnic group living in North China). Standing at Zhaojun Tomb (Qingzhong青冢), the Resting Place of One of China’s Greatest Women in History, you may feel the breeze that blows here 2,000 years ago. You should not miss visiting the Museum of Hun Culture, the only museum about Xiongnu Culture (匈奴文化) with the Huns’ historical relics and art crafts about Zhaojun.

After that, time to head to explore 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.

Free Time Ideas:
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.
3.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).

Your adventure begins with scenic 2-hour drive (83 km) to Xilamuren Grassland, the closest and most iconic grassland destination near Hohhot. As the first grassland in Inner Mongolia to welcome travelers, it remains the perfect place to experience authentic nomadic life.

The Naadam Festival - The "Olympics of the Grassland"

Upon arrival, immerse yourself in the Naadam Opening Ceremony. Naadam, meaning "games" in Mongolian, is a UNESCO-listed cultural treasure with over 2,000 years of history. Originally established by Genghis Khan to train his warriors, it is now a joyous celebration of harvest, family, and strength.

Witness the "Three Manly Games" in action:

• Wrestling (Bokh): A test of pure strength and technique without weight classes.
• Horse Racing: Endurance races covering 10–30 km, showcasing the incredible bravery of young riders.
• Archery: A display of precision using traditional wooden bows.

(Note: Naadam is a seasonal festival, typically falling in July or August. Please check the specific dates with us to align your visit.)

Aobao Rituals & Equestrian Drama

Next, we visit the Hongge'er Aobao, the largest sacred site in the region with over 400 years of history. Join the locals in the traditional "kora" ritual—a meditative walk around the Aobao to offer prayers and make wishes. From this vantage point, enjoy panoramic views of the vast landscape before catching the Large-scale Live Equestrian Drama (Optional). This spectacular outdoor show brings Mongolian history and the "Three Manly Games" to life through professional horsemanship.

Authentic Ranch Life

Get hands-on with a true Mongolian Ranch Experience. Visit the Five Livestock Park to connect with local animals, dress in traditional Mongolian attire for photos, or test your aim with nomadic archery. For those seeking a bit of adrenaline, try the rainbow slides or wild karting sessions.

As the sun dips below the horizon, we cap off the day with a Bonfire Party. Enjoy traditional Mongolian singing and dancing, followed by a peaceful night in a Traditional Mongolian Yurt. Look up to witness the enchanting, star-filled sky—the perfect end to your grassland escape.

Optional Experiences to Customize Your Day:

• Horse Riding: Choose between a Guided Ride (safe and led by a herdsman, perfect for beginners) or an Independent Ride (for experienced riders). Please confirm pricing and duration with your guide before starting.
• Dining Experience(Self-pay): Indulge in a Mongolian Traditional Zhama Banquet. Feast on roasted whole sheep and local delicacies while dressed in traditional attire, accompanied by ceremonial silver bowl toasting rituals and ethnic performances.

Rise early this morning (around 4:00 AM) to catch a breathtaking grassland sunrise (decide on weather and based on your likes). After breakfast, enjoy free time to explore the pastures at your own pace. Feel the ultimate freedom of the steppe and experience the grassland your own way.

After that, head to Wudangzhao Monastery of Baotou (180 km, 3h), which was once the residence of the most powerful Lama in Inner Mongolia. At last, head to Yemingsha of Kubuqi Desert for overnight (185 km, 3h).

Wudangzhao Monastery (Wudangzhao Temple) is one of China's Four Great Tibetan Buddhist Monasteries of the Gelugpa sect (Yellow Hat), alongside the Potala Palace in Tibet, Labrang Monastery in Gansu, and Kumbum Monastery in Qinghai. Known as the "Potala Palace on the Grassland," it is the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Inner Mongolia. Founded during the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty (1662–1722) by the first Living Buddha, Lobsang Jigme Gyatso, it was modeled after Tibet’s Tashilhunpo Monastery and expanded over centuries into its current scale.

You will see the monastery's classic Tibetan Buddhist architecture, with no central axis. Its grand halls are irregularly scattered across a 1.5-kilometer-long south-facing slope in a valley. The complex includes six main prayer halls (originally eight), three Living Buddha residences, and a reliquary hall housing stupas of past lamas. Spanning over 300 acres, it contains more than 2,500 rooms. You will marvel at the intricate murals, thangka paintings, and Buddha statues inside the halls, as well as prayer wheels, white stupas, and mani stone mounds along the paths. A deer park allows close encounters with friendly deer.

For panoramic views of Wudangzhao Monastery, hike the southern hill (if time permits). During the annual temple fair (25th day of the 7th lunar month to 1st day of the 8th lunar month), monks perform rituals such as Thangka Unveiling, scripture chanting, and sacred Cham dances. Welcome to this Buddhist sanctuary in the heart of the grasslands - a spiritual journey awaits.

After the tour, be transferred to Baotou for acccommodation. 

After breakfast, your guide will escort you into the heart of the Kubuqi Desert (库布其沙漠), China’s seventh-largest desert. Once feared as the "Sea of Death," generations of ecological effort—through massive tree-planting projects and advanced solar energy farms - have transformed these sands. Today, you will witness an environmental miracle as the "Sea of Death" turns into a "Sea of Green," making it one of China’s premier desert destinations.

Your destination is Yemingsha (夜鸣沙), nestled deep in the desert hinterland. You will have the opportunity to explore this vast rawed desert landscape. Also, take your time to enjoy thrilling desert adventures. Conquer the sandwaves with heart-pounding ATV excursions, slide down towering dunes, and enjoy a traditional camel trek across the golden landscape.

(Note: Desert activity packages vary. You can choose and book your preferred experiences on-site.)

After an unforgettable day in the dunes, travel to Baotou (Deer City) for your overnight stay.

Essential Desert Travel Tips:

• Sun & Sand Protection: The desert sun is intense and the air is dry. Bring high-factor sunscreen, sunglasses, a wide-brimmed hat, and high-top shoes (essential to keep sand out). Always protect your phones and cameras from fine dust. Carry at least 2 liters of water per person to stay hydrated.
• Desert Dress Code: Pack light, long-sleeved clothing for daytime UV protection. Because desert temperatures plummet after dark, a warm jacket is necessary for late afternoon and evening.
• Safety & Eco-Care: Never venture into uninhabited areas alone. Follow all safety regulations for ATV and sand activities, and always pack out your trash to protect this fragile, recovering ecosystem.
• Golden Hour Photography: To capture the most dramatic dune shadows and striking contrasts, shoot during the "Golden Hours"—one hour after sunrise or one hour before sunset.

On this day, it is time to transfer to Mausoleum of Genghis Khan, a sacred shrine of the founder of the Mongol Empire - Genghis Khan (1162- 1227).

As Mongolia’s Greatest Leader, Genghis Khan consolidated tribes into a unified Mongolia, extended his empire across Central Asia and other countries as far west as Eastern Europe (from the Pacific Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea). Genghis Khan, the most famous warrior in the history of the world, built the biggest empire in history up to that time.   He left a vast empire for his descendants, laying the foundation for the Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368) and the reunification of China.

Today, Genghis Khan is still worshipped by those who are interested in Mongolian history, culture, and traditions. Due to the Mongolian custom of "secret burial," the exact location of Genghis Khan's actual tomb remains a mystery. The mausoleum currently houses the camel hair that absorbed Genghis Khan's last breath (灵魂的驼毛), symbolizing his soul, which has been cherished for centuries.

Since 1227 (the death of Genghis Khan), the Da'erhute tribe (达尔扈特人), the ancestors of whom were the guard troops of Genghis Khan, has taken good care of this mausoleum for more than 700 years. If you happen to visit here during its Spring Ceremony (成吉思汗春祭大典), you will witness Mongolian shamanistic rituals and ceremonies that are organized and held by the Da'erhute tribe, offering a deep spiritual connection to the legacy of Genghis Khan. You will see Fthat this mausoleum is a sacred place for Mongolian people to honor and celebrate their national hero.

The mausoleum complex, built in a traditional Mongolian architectural style, is composed of two parts: the Tomb Complex and Donglian Scenic Area. It covers an area of around 13.6 acres with more than 2,500 halls, sutras, and monks’ houses. It houses a vast collection of relics and artworks about the life of the legendary Mongolian Emperor and the history of the Mongol Empire. Don’t miss the chance to see the sabers, swords, arrows, bows, and other weapons that were used by Genghis Khan.

Highlights of the Mausoleum of Genghis Khan:
1.Spirit Hall: Houses a golden statue of Genghis Khan and symbolic relics.
2.Main Hall: Features murals and exhibits on the Mongol Empire’s history.
3.Eternal Flame: A sacred flame symbolizing the undying spirit of Genghis Khan.
4.Cultural Performances (Optional; Self-pay): Experience traditional Mongolian dances, music, and ceremonies.
5.Mongolian Rituals: Participate in or observe spiritual rituals performed by Dalhut Mongols (if your visit time meets their ceremony dates).

Note:
Spring Ceremony/Ritual at the Mausoleum of Genghis Khan成吉思汗春祭大典：
Called Tsagaansurek, or "milk sacrifice" in Mongolian, the spring ritual uses the milk of white horses as a sacrifice to peace and prosperity. Every year, ethnic Mongolians hold four rituals, one in each season, to Genghis Khan. The spring ritual is the grandest at the shrine and lasts for eight days. Genghis Khan memorial rituals were inscribed as China's intangible cultural heritage in 2006. (Contact us to double check the dates of the Ceremony/Ritual.)

Later, visit Kangbashi District: The Richest ‘Ghost Town’ in China. IN 2010, Time Magazine sardonically reported that Kangbashi, in Ordos, Inner Mongolia, is ‘a new Chinese city that, apart from people, has everything’. Now, Kangbashi has become a top tourist area with lots of museums, squares (including Genghis Khan Square), theme parks, a lake, and modern facilities (no-driver bus/taxi).

After that, overnint in Ordos. Located on the Ordos Plateau, within the bend of the Yellow River, Ordos is a city of happiness that warms the world. Prairies, deserts, or valleys, all their multiple landscapes are poetic. Ordos is one of the richest city in China (2024 GDP even surpass Beijing/Shanghai/Guangzhou), thanks to stores of coal, gas, and rare earth metals. Its cashmere output accounts for 13% of the world's total, and the unique Albas white goat cashmere is of prime quality in the world; that is why Ordos is called Warm City.

Free Ideas in the Evening (Explore on Your own): 

Ordos Musical Fountain of Kangbashi (Asia's Tallest Fountain)
This Fountain is located in the Kangbashi District at the Wulanmulun Riverside Square (adjacent to the Wulanmulun Lake). It combines sound, light, water, and color elements into one. The main fountain can reach a height of 230 meters, earning it the title of "Asia's Tallest Fountain." The fountain performances are held every evening from 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM (may be temporarily suspended in adverse weather conditions).

On this day, you will be transferred back to Hohhot (280 km, 3.5 hrs) for departure. Alternatively, if you prefer to depart directly from Ordos, you can take a flight or train from there.

At last, it is time to end your 7 Days Inner Mongolia Naadam Tour. 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 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.