Hohhot

Hohhot is a city that beautifully blends deep history, grassland culture, and authentic Mongolian cuisine, making it well worth spending 3 to 5 days exploring and eating your way through. Here is a detailed travel guide for you:

Classic Itinerary

• 3-Day, 2-Night Relaxed Trip (ideal for first-time visitors/weekend escapes)
  • Day 1: Arrive in Hohhot → Check in to a downtown hotel → Visit Dazhao Temple and Saishang Old Street in the afternoon → Stroll along Kuanxiangzi food street in the evening for Mongolian cuisine.

• Day 2: Get up early for lamb shaomai → Head to Chilechuan Grassland → Go to Hongshiya in the afternoon for a stunning sunset → Have ice-boiled lamb or barbecue for dinner.

• Day 3: Visit the Inner Mongolia Museum → Explore the General’s Office or the Great Mosque → Shop for souvenirs → Return home.

• 5-Day, 4-Night In-Depth Trip (ideal for those who want to visit grasslands + desert + volcanoes)
  • Day 1: Eat and explore in the city center (Dazhao Temple, Kuanxiangzi).
  • Day 2: Head to Xilamuren Grassland or Huitengxile Grassland to experience horseback riding, stay in a Mongolian yurt, and watch a bonfire party.

• Day 3: Head to Kubuqi Desert (Xiangshawan) for sand activities and camel riding, or go to Ulan Hada Volcano Geopark to shoot cinematic “Mars-like” photos.

• Day 4: Continue exploring volcanic landscapes or grassland scenery, then return to the city in the afternoon.
  • Day 5: Fill in any city sights you missed (Five-Pagoda Temple, Princess Mansion), shop for local specialties, then return home.

Must-Visit Attractions

• Inner Mongolia Museum: A national first-class museum. Its dinosaur fossils, Xiongnu gold ornaments, and Liao-Jin artifacts are truly impressive. Renting an audio guide is recommended for an immersive look at a thousand years of grassland history.

• Dazhao Temple: The oldest Tibetan Buddhist temple in Hohhot. Its “three wonders” of silver Buddha statue, dragon carvings, and murals live up to their reputation, while the red walls and golden roofs are perfect for ethnic-style photos.

• Chilechuan Grassland: The closest grassland to the city center and a true embodiment of the line “the sky is vast, the wilderness boundless.” Entry is free, and it is ideal for strolling, photographing Mongolian yurts, and watching the sunset.

• Ulan Hada Volcano Geopark: One of the few volcanic clusters in China where you can get up close to the volcanoes. Renting a spacesuit at Volcano No. 6 creates an incredible “lunar surface” feel, and almost any casual shot looks like a sci-fi blockbuster.

• Saishang Old Street: An old street in Ming- and Qing-style architecture, full of lively local atmosphere. Snacks, handicrafts, and Mongolian specialties are all available, and it becomes even more charming after the lights come on at night.

Authentic Local Food

• Lamb Shaomai: Thin, translucent wrappers filled generously with meat; bite into one and the juices burst out. Paired with brick tea to cut through the richness, it is the soul of an authentic Inner Mongolian breakfast. Recommended: Deshunyuan, Laosuiyuan.

• Ice-Boiled Lamb: Fresh lamb is slowly cooked at a low temperature with ice cubes, resulting in tender, refreshing meat with no gamey taste at all. Recommended: Zecheng Ice-Boiled Lamb, Hude Eji.

• Lamb Offal Soup: A steaming bowl of lamb offal soup in the morning, pleasantly sour and spicy, paired with half a beef-tongue beizi, will keep you full all day. Recommended: Baiji Zasui, Bailaoda Lamb Offal Soup.

• Dairy Products: Milk skin, stretchy milk cakes, cheese milk-tofu cakes, and more, all with a rich milky aroma. Recommended: Xingyue Pastry, Qingheyuan, Zhana’s Milk Skin Rolls.

• Kuanxiangzi Snacks: This entire old street is full of lively local flavor, with lamb offal soup, oat-noodle rolls, yogurt zongzi, brown sugar beizi, and plenty more. Perfect for grazing as you stroll.

Transport and Pitfall-Avoidance Tips

• Transport Tips: Most city attractions can be reached by scanning a shared e-scooter or taking a taxi. For farther suburban sights such as grasslands and volcanoes, self-driving, carpooling, or joining a legitimate small-group tour is recommended. Confirm the price in advance.
• Where to Stay: Staying near a metro line or around Dazhao Temple and Kuanxiangzi is recommended, as it is very convenient for both getting around and eating out.
• What to Wear: Grasslands and forested mountain areas have large temperature differences between day and night, so be sure to bring a light jacket or windbreaker. UV rays are strong, so high-SPF sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses are essential.
• Reservation Reminders: The Inner Mongolia Museum is free but requires booking 3 days in advance and is closed on Mondays. Xilitu Zhao requires booking 1 day in advance.
• Pitfall-Avoidance Tips:
  • Do not engage with people who approach you outside Dazhao Temple or Saishang Old Street offering photos or fortune-telling, as hidden charges can easily occur.
  • When buying beef jerky or dairy products, try to go to specialty shops frequented by locals (such as Mongwu Super Factory); small shops along scenic-area streets tend to charge higher prices.
  • For horseback riding on the grassland, be sure to agree on the price and duration in advance, and do not touch cattle or horses casually.
  • Pay attention to storage conditions for dairy products, and eat them promptly after purchase to avoid spoilage.