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1. Explore the Endless Grasslands - Iconic Things to Do in Inner Mongolia
Inner Mongolia's grasslands stretch over 400,000 square miles—bigger than France and Germany combined. Here, roads fade into seas of green where nomadic life thrives unchanged for centuries.
These vast green prairies are the heart and soul of Inner Mongolia, where you can find peace away from busy city life. Here, you can watch horses run free, sleep under starry skies, and live like the nomads did for thousands of years.
5 Best Grassland Loved by Travelers
The best grasslands each offer something special.
- Hulunbuir, known as "Asia's most beautiful grassland," shows you endless waves of grass and clear blue skies.
- Xilingol lets you meet real herder families and their animals.
- Near Hohhot city, Xilamuren makes a perfect first stop for new visitors.
- Up in the mountains, Huitengxile stays cool even in summer, full of colorful flowers.
- For a quiet escape, Ulan Butong offers peaceful views far from tourist crowds.
Inner Mongolia Grasslands: Top 5 Grassland Destinations
What to Do
So many cool things! You definitely should try horse riding; it's the perfect way to feel how big and open the land is. Consider staying in a traditional yurt (a round tent). It's a super cozy and unique cultural experience.
You might get to meet local herders, taste authentic Mongolian food like fresh milk tea or delicious roast lamb. And honestly, just take time to enjoy the fresh air, watch the amazing sunrises and sunsets. At night, the number of stars you'll see is just unbelievable!
2. Check Out the Amazing Deserts - Adventure Thing to Do in Inner Mongolia
Beyond its famous green grasslands, Inner Mongolia holds another kind of breathtaking and wild beauty: its incredible deserts! Covering nearly 40% of the region, these golden landscapes are home to the world's tallest sand dunes, mysterious desert lakes, and the famous "singing sands."
Which Desert in Inner Mongolia You Should Visit
The Kubuqi Desert, just a few hours from Hohhot, is perfect for first-time desert explorers. It's home to clear lakes, singing sand dunes, and even green oases. visit the Xiangshawan Desert, also called "Resonant Sand Bay," where the sand makes music under your feet.
The bigger Badain Jaran Desert holds the world's tallest sand dunes and mysterious desert lakes. Check Badain Jaran Desert Adventure Tour Packages >>
Badain Jaran Desert | How to Visit Badain Jaran Desert, China (2025)
Top Activities - Desert adventures here fit everyone.
- Ride camels along ancient Silk Road paths, race down giant dunes on sandboards.
- Drive 4x4s through rolling sand waves.
- Camp under the clearest starry skies you'll ever see, watch the sun paint the dunes gold at dawn.
- Learn desert survival skills from local guides.
The best time to visit is spring (April-May) or fall (September-October) when it's not too hot or cold. Summer days can get very hot, but nights are cool and perfect for stargazing.
3. Join the Naadam Festival - Vibrant Cultural Celebrations
The Naadam Festival is Inner Mongolia's biggest summer party! Called the “Three Games of Men,” it's a 1,000-year-old tradition full of sports, music, and joy. The festival usually happens in the summer, often around July or August.
Top 3 Events to Watch:
- Wrestling: Strong wrestlers wear bright outfits. They dance like eagles before fighting. No weight classes—anyone can win!
- Horse Racing: Kids as young as 5 ride fast horses. Races are 15-30 km long!
- Archery: Archers shoot targets with handmade bows. Silence falls as they aim.
Best Places to Go
Head to Xilingol in July for the biggest Naadam. Thousands gather here—it's the festival's “home.” Prefer snow? Hulunbuir holds winter Naadam too! Try ice wrestling or watch horses run on frozen ground. Baotou city mixes modern stadiums with old traditions.
4. See Autumn's Golden Colors - A Scenic Thing to Do in Inner Mongolia
Autumn brings Inner Mongolia's most magical colors, and the Ejina Poplar Forest leads this golden show. Every October, thousands of ancient poplar trees turn bright yellow against blue skies, creating what many call "China's most beautiful autumn scene."
These special trees, some over 300 years old, stand along the curving Ejina River, making perfect mirror images in the water.
More autumn beauty awaits across Inner Mongolia. The Hulunbuir Grassland turns into an endless golden sea, where morning mist makes everything look magical.
In the Greater Khingan Mountains, birch forests shine silver and gold. The Xilamuren Grassland near Hohhot offers easy access to see golden grass waves under clear autumn skies.
The best time to visit is from late September to mid-October. Ejina's golden poplars usually peak around October 15th, while grasslands start turning gold in late September.
Best Time to Visit Inner Mongolia: Weather & Travel Tips for 12 Months
5. Uncover the Legacy of Genghis Khan - Historic Things to Do in Inner Mongolia
If you're into history, Inner Mongolia is a really interesting place to learn about Genghis Khan. He's a super important person in Mongolian culture and world history, and you can find out a lot about his legacy there.
Visit these spots to learn about his life and culture:
Mausoleum of Genghis Khan (Ordos City)
This symbolic tomb honors the legend. See giant statues, ancient weapons, and traditional Mongolian art. Join the daily ceremony at 9 AM to watch locals pray with offerings. Open daily, 8 AM–6 PM.
Genghis Khan's Birthplace (Kherlen River)
Near the Kherlen River, a stone monument marks where he was born. Walk the quiet grasslands and imagine his early life. Local guides share folktales about his childhood.
Mongolian Nomadic Culture Museum (Xilinhot)
Learn how Genghis Khan shaped nomadic life. Try on traditional Mongolian clothes, shoot a mini bow, or watch a documentary about his battles. Great for families.
Genghis Khan Statue Complex (Ejin Horo Banner)
Climb 99 steps to a 130-foot-tall steel statue of Genghis Khan. The view of the plains from the top is amazing. Buy handmade souvenirs at the market below.
6. Wander the Forests (Greater Khingan Range) - Nature Things to Do in Inner Mongolia
The Greater Khingan Range is one of China's largest forests, perfect for nature lovers. This mountain range stretches over 1,200 kilometers. It's this massive, really wild area with just tons and tons of trees.
How to Enjoy It
- Hike in Arxan National Forest Park
Walk through thick forests, volcanic lakes, and hot springs. The park has easy trails with signs. Visit in September-October for red and yellow leaves. Don't miss the Arxan温泉 (hot springs) to relax after hiking.
- Spot Wildlife in Moerdaoga National Park
This park is home to deer, foxes, and rare birds. Bring binoculars! Quiet morning walks near Xiaolong Lake increase your chances to see animals. Guides are available for safe exploration.
- Drive the Scenic “Forest Highway”
Rent a car and follow Route 302 through the heart of the forest. Stop at lookout points like Baihu Mountain for photos. The road connects small towns—buy wild blueberries from local sellers.
- Stay in a Forest Cabin
Sleep in wooden cabins near Yakeshi or Genhe. These towns offer simple guesthouses with heaters (nights get cold!). Wake up to bird sounds and misty views.
- Try Winter Snowshoeing
From December-February, the forest turns into a snowy wonderland. Rent snowshoes in Arxan and follow marked paths. Frozen waterfalls look magical!
7. Visit the Border Towns - Different Thing to Do in Inner Mongolia
If you're looking for something a little bit different and really interesting to do while you're in Inner Mongolia, you should definitely think about visiting some of its border towns!
It's pretty cool because you can get right up close to another country, like Russia or the country of Mongolia. You often see a neat mix of cultures, languages, and even food.
Manzhouli
Well, a super popular one is Manzhouli. It's right on the border with Russia, and you can really see the Russian influence there. A lot of the buildings look very Russian, really colorful and with fancy domes and details – it's quite a sight!
They even have a huge square with giant Matryoshka dolls, you know, those Russian nesting dolls. And you can visit the National Gate, which is the official border crossing, and literally see into Russia.
Erenhot
Another interesting border town is Erenhot, which is also sometimes called Erlian. This one is on the border with the country of Mongolia (often called Outer Mongolia by locals to distinguish).
Erenhot is famous because they've found tons of dinosaur fossils in the area, so they have a cool dinosaur park and museum. It also has a big border gate and is a busy place for trade between the two countries.
8. Experience Mongolian Traditions - Weddings & Cuisine
Want a real taste of what Inner Mongolia is all about? Then you've absolutely got to check out their living local traditions. Things like how they celebrate big events like weddings and, of course, their super yummy food can tell you so much about their way of life!
Mongolian Weddings
Now, it's usually not possible for tourists to just walk into a private family wedding – those are very personal events. But, you can often see what traditional weddings are like!
Some tourist spots, especially the yurt camps out on the grasslands, put on these really cool shows that re-enact traditional Mongolian wedding ceremonies. The performers wear these incredible, colorful traditional clothes called 'deel,' sing beautiful old songs, and act out the ancient customs.
Mongolian food
Mongolian food is famous for being hearty and tasty. The most popular dish is whole roasted lamb, cooked in the traditional way over hot stones. You must try kumis (fermented mare's milk) - it's offered to every guest as a welcome drink.
Milk tea with salt is served all day, and every family makes it slightly different. Don't miss trying the dairy foods like aaruul (dried curds) and butter tea.
9. Combine with Beijing, Datong & Xi'an - Create Multi-City Adventures
So, you're thinking about a trip to Inner Mongolia? That's awesome! But hey, why not make it an even BIGGER adventure by adding some other super famous Chinese cities to your travel plans?
A really popular and easy combination is Inner Mongolia and Beijing. They are quite close to each other, and it's pretty simple to get a train or a quick flight between them. The bullet train from Beijing to Hohhot takes 2.5-3.5 hours.
Datong in Shanxi Province fits perfectly between Beijing and Inner Mongolia. This ancient city is famous for the Yungang Caves, where huge Buddha statues were carved into cliffs 1,500 years ago. Take a high speed train from Datong to Hohhot (1.5 hours).
Want to see the Terra Cotta Warriors, a 2,200-year-old clay army? Xi'an connects to Inner Mongolia by bullet train or short flight.
Stay Over in a Mongolian Yurt - A Must-Do Thing to Do in Inner Mongolia
Sleeping in a Mongolian yurt (called ger) is a unique way to experience Inner Mongolia's nomadic culture. These round, felt-covered tents are warm, cozy, and eco-friendly. Many yurt camps sit on grasslands near Hohhot or Hulunbuir, offering stunning views of rolling hills and starry skies.
Yurts often have wooden beds, colorful decorations, and small stoves for heat. Guests can join daily nomadic activities like milking cows, herding sheep, or riding horses. At night, locals might host bonfires with traditional music and dancing.
Meals in a yurt camp feature local flavors. Try suutei tsai (salty milk tea), boodog (stone-cooked meat), or hand-pulled noodles. Some camps offer cooking classes to learn Mongolian recipes.
The Best Yurt Camps are in 3 Main Areas:
- Xilamuren Grassland (90km from Hohhot): Easy to reach, perfect for first-time visitors.
- Gegentala Grassland: Known for comfortable yurts with modern bathrooms.
- Hulunbuir Grassland: More remote, but offers the most authentic experience.
How to Plan a Inner Mongolia Trip (With Itinerary): 8 Easy Steps
Beijing to Inner Mongolia: High Speed Train, Flight & Travel Tips
Explore the Inner Mongolia with Asia Odyssey Travel
We are Asia Odyssey Travel, your dedicated China travel specialists over 10+ years, offering authentic expertise and local insights for your first, or fiftieth, visit to the captivating region of Inner Mongolia. We craft journeys that go beyond the ordinary.
What we offer:
✅ 10+ Inner Mongolia Tours Packages - Grasslands, deserts, Naadam Festivals & cultural wonders.
✅ Custom & City Trips: Your perfect Hohhot, Ordos, Grassland, Badain Jaran Desert or Singapore-origin tour.
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Guides & Planning: Inner Mongolia Guide • Plan Your Trip • Best Time •Things to Do • Maps • Beijing to Inner Mongolia.
Key Spots: 5 Best Grasslands - Badain Jaran Desert.
Let's venture into Inner Mongolia – a realm of endless horizons and unforgettable cultural encounters!
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