Inner Mongolia Classic 5-Day Itinerary: Hohhot + Huitengxile Grassland + Kubuqi Desert

Welcome to Hohhot, the capital of Inner Mongolia! Upon arrival at Hohhot Airport or Railway Station, our driver will greet you at the exit and escort you to a carefully selected hotel in downtown Hohhot for check-in. Afterward, you are free to arrange your time and enjoy the scenery of the "Blue City." Hohhot, meaning "Blue City" in Mongolian, is located in central Inner Mongolia and serves as the gateway to Xilamuren Grassland, Huitengxile Grassland, and Kubuqi Desert. The city's story begins in 1581—Altan Khan, a descendant of Genghis Khan, settled here and built city walls from the bluestone of the Greater Khingan Mountains, giving rise to the name "Blue City." Because of its many temples, it is also called "Temple City." Today, it is also known as "China's Dairy Capital," home to the headquarters of Yili and Mengniu. Free Time Activities 1. Inner Mongolia General's Yamen Museum: Visit the residence of the Qing Dynasty Suiyuan City General and appreciate the weight of history captured in the saying "one general's mansion, half of Blue City's history." 2. Qing Dynasty Princess Gulun Kejing's Mansion (closed on Mondays): Explore the residence of Emperor Kangxi's sixth daughter, one of China's best-preserved Qing Dynasty princess mansions, with exquisite architecture. 3. Kuanxiangzi Ethnic Food Street: Stroll through Kuanxiangzi in the Hui District, tasting authentic lamb shaomai, rich Mongolian milk tea, sizzling lamb skewers, and various halal delicacies. You can also visit the nearby Hohhot Great Mosque to experience the blending of diverse cultures. Practical Tips 1. Climate and Clothing: The region averages about 1,000-1,500 meters above sea level, with strong ultraviolet rays. It is recommended to bring sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen. Temperatures vary greatly between day and night, so no matter when you visit, it is advisable to bring a warm jacket and comfortable sneakers. 2. Food and Festivals: Local cuisine features beef, lamb, and wheat-based dishes with rich flavors. If you visit in July or August, you will coincide with Naadam festivals held in various places (usually lasting 3-7 days), offering a chance to witness the exciting "three manly arts" of horse racing, wrestling, and archery. If you wish to participate, feel free to contact our customer service at any time. How to Get There 1. How to fly to Hohhot: Currently, arrivals are at Hohhot Baita International Airport (HET), about 20 kilometers from the city center, with direct flights from major Chinese cities such as Beijing (1 hour 20 minutes), Shanghai (2 hours 50 minutes), Chengdu (2.5 hours), Guangzhou (3 hours 20 minutes), etc. Since some routes do not operate year-round, it is advisable to check flight schedules in advance before traveling. (Note: The under-construction Hohhot Shengle International Airport is expected to be put into use in the future, replacing Baita International Airport. Please stay updated before traveling.) 2. How to take the high-speed rail to Hohhot: You can take the high-speed rail to Hohhot East Station or Hohhot Station. High-speed rail services to Hohhot are available from Beijing (2 hours 50 minutes), Datong (1 hour 28 minutes), Taiyuan (3 hours 40 minutes), Shanghai (12 hours 11 minutes), Xi'an (6 hours 35 minutes), and other places.

This morning, you will head to Huitengxile Grassland in Ulanqab to experience the unique coolness and grandeur of that "cold plateau." The drive takes about 2.5 hours (around 120 km). 【Huitengxile Grassland】, at an elevation of over 1,800 meters, is one of the best-preserved typical alpine meadow grasslands in the world. In Mongolian, "Huitengxile" means exactly "cold plateau"—even in midsummer, this is a rare summer retreat. Scattered across the grassland are 99 natural lakes, known by locals as the "Ninety-Nine Springs," like sapphires set upon a green velvet carpet, a breathtaking sight. This is also one of Asia's largest wind power bases, where huge white wind turbines turn slowly beneath the blue sky, forming a stirring picture together with the sea of grass, flocks of sheep, and galloping horses. Upon arrival, first visit Huanghua Valley Scenic Area. Huanghua Valley gets its name from the yellow wildflowers that bloom every summer and is the finest part of Huitengxile Grassland. If it happens to coincide with showtime, you can first watch a wonderful live-action performance of "Oboo Encounter." With the grassland as its stage, this performance unfolds through three acts—"Blessing," "Love Story," and "Reunion"—blending shamanic rituals, morin khuur love songs, and exuberant Mongolian dance, vividly recreating the grandeur of oboo worship and the Naadam festival. It is a window into Mongolian nomadic culture. Next, it is time to fully explore Huanghua Valley. At an elevation of about 2,100 meters, it is a deep ravine roughly 10 kilometers long and up to 300 meters deep at its lowest point, a geological relic left by ancient glacial movement. From May to September each year, wildflowers blanket the valley—green grass, colorful blossoms, white birches, fantastic rocks, steep cliffs... as if nature had overturned its palette here. If you do not want to walk too much, the scenic area has a sightseeing train, cable car, and shuttle bus to take you around (please confirm with us in advance whether the ticket includes transportation). You can glide slowly across the sea of grass, or go deep to the bottom of the valley and look up at the strange peaks and rocks on both sides. If you want something different, you can also try an animal-drawn cart (at your own expense), swaying along in a horse or camel cart for a distinctive taste of the grassland. If you want even more fun, the scenic area also offers grass skiing, horseback riding, archery, feeding small animals, and other activities (at your own expense). Why not try one or two and let laughter spread across the grassland. Dinner options: (at your own expense) If you want to experience the most authentic Mongolian feast, you can change into splendid Mongolian attire and join a traditional Zhama Banquet, tasting imperial dishes such as roast whole lamb, enjoying ethnic song and dance, and experiencing the solemn rituals of toasting with silver bowls and offering khata blessings. After dinner, a lively bonfire party begins. Accompanied by the melodious sound of the morin khuur, you can enjoy wonderful Mongolian song and dance performances and sing and dance together with the locals, bringing the day to a perfect close. At night, stay in a traditional yurt and admire the brilliant starry sky over the grassland.

If you don't want to miss the most beautiful moment on the grasslands, this morning you can get up early (around 4 a.m.) and quietly wait for the sunrise on the Huitengxile Grasslands (optional). As the first ray of sunlight slowly rises and spills over the boundless sea of grass, the entire grassland is dyed a gentle gold—utterly soothing. Optional grassland activities: (at your own expense) 1. Grassland horseback riding: When the weather is clear, you can choose to ride across the Huitengxile Grasslands. Beginner experience: A herder leads the horse, and you ride safely within a designated area—best for first-time visitors. Free riding: If you are an experienced rider, you can also rent a horse and gallop freely. But this is at your own risk and is generally not recommended for beginners. Warm reminder: The two riding options have different fees. Please confirm the price and riding duration with the herder before getting on the horse. 2. Visit a herder's family: Step into a local Mongolian herder's home and experience their daily nomadic life. After bidding farewell to the grasslands, you will return to Hohhot and visit the Inner Mongolia Museum (closed on Mondays). [Inner Mongolia Museum] was founded in 1957 and is a national first-class museum with a collection of more than 150,000 items. Like a three-dimensional "encyclopedia," it tells the story of this plateau from prehistoric times to the modern era. Here you will see: Dinosaur fossils: The largest dinosaur of Asia's Cretaceous period—the Chagan Nur dinosaur fossil. Standing before it, you can almost hear the footsteps of ancient times. The Xiongnu King's Gold Crown (Warring States eagle-shaped gold crown ornament): Weighing 1,934 grams, it is a relic of the Xiongnu king and the museum's "treasure of the collection." Painted wooden coffin (Liao Dynasty): More than a thousand years old, the paintings on the coffin are still vividly colored, telling of the Khitan people's views on life and death. Jun kiln incense burner (Yuan Dynasty): Because the four characters "Xiao Song Zi Zao" are inscribed on the bottom, it is also called the "Xiao Song Zi Zao incense burner" and is an outstanding representative of Yuan Dynasty Jun porcelain. Deer-head gold buyao crown (Northern Wei), Liao Dynasty gold mask... every artifact is a piece of sealed history. Warm reminder: If the Inner Mongolia Museum is closed or its exhibition halls are being adjusted, we will arrange a visit to the Inner Mongolia Natural History Museum—which also has stunning dinosaur fossils and vivid natural ecology displays, taking you through time to appreciate Inner Mongolia's forests, grasslands, and deserts. Afterward, head to Dazhao Temple. [Dazhao Temple] (full Tibetan name "Dazhao Wuliang Temple") was first built in 1579 by Altan Khan, leader of the Mongol Tumed tribe. It is the earliest Tibetan Buddhist temple in Hohhot and the largest Tibetan Buddhist holy site in Inner Mongolia. The temple enshrines a statue of Shakyamuni Buddha cast from 30,000 taels of pure silver, so it is also called the "Silver Buddha Temple." This silver Buddha, together with the coiled dragon pillars in the hall and the Ming Dynasty murals, are known as the "Three Wonders of Dazhao"—the silver Buddha is kind and solemn, the dragon carvings are lifelike, and the murals remain vividly colored after hundreds of years. All are precious Ming Dynasty relics. In addition, the architecture of Dazhao Temple is also very impressive. It spreads out along the central axis and blends Han, Tibetan, and Mongolian styles. The Han-style hip-and-gable roofs and Tibetan-style flat roofs are arranged in a harmonious mix, simple yet solemn. In the Qing Dynasty, Emperor Kangxi stayed here during his western campaign against Galdan, so Dazhao Temple was also honored as the "Imperial Temple." To this day, the temple still enshrines Emperor Kangxi's memorial tablet, as well as imperially bestowed items such as dragon-and-phoenix peacock parasols and pearl octagonal palace lanterns. After leaving the main hall, don't forget to see the Eight Stupas of Shakyamuni on the square—eight white stupas lined up in a row, symbolizing the eight merits of the Buddha's life, and also a favorite spot for visitors to take photos. If you happen to come on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month or the fifteenth day of the sixth lunar month, that is a rare stroke of luck. These two days are Dazhao Temple's Buddha Thangka Unveiling Festival (also called the "Chamu Festival"). The huge thangka treasured in the temple is brought out and hung high on the thangka pole, and lamas wear masks and perform the mysterious "Chamu dance." The scene is very grand. In the evening, stay overnight in Hohhot. Free-time recommendations 1. Visit more temples in Hohhot: Opposite Dazhao Temple is Xilitu Zhao (within walking distance, visit at your own expense), and about 1 km to the east is the Five Pagoda Temple Museum (closed on Mondays). If you have enough time, you can visit them as well. 2. Explore Hohhot's cuisine: Next to Dazhao Temple, Saishang Old Street and Tongshun Lane are two old streets full of lively local flavor. Among the Ming- and Qing-style buildings are many local snacks and handicrafts—grilled milk tofu, yogurt cakes, Mongolian knives, leather paintings... wander around and you may just find a little treasure you like.

This morning, you will head to the Kubuqi Desert in Ordos (about 185 km, roughly a 2.5-hour drive) to visit the place known as the "Disneyland of the Desert"—Xiangshawan, a magical spot that turns the desert into a playground. [Kubuqi Desert] is China's seventh-largest desert. Its Mongolian name means "the string on a bow," so named because it resembles a string hanging across the Yellow River. It was once called the "Sea of Death," but after generations of sand control and afforestation, vegetation coverage has increased year by year, and it is now undergoing a transformation from a "Sea of Death" into a "Sea of Green." Today it is one of China's most popular desert tourism destinations. Xiangshawan is the brightest pearl of the Kubuqi Desert. It is one of China's four famous singing-sand mountains, named for the mysterious sounds the dunes produce. The sand here can "sing"—as for how it sings, you'll have to come and listen for yourself. Xiangshawan is divided into two main areas with completely different styles. Xiansha Island—the true "Disneyland of the Desert"! This is an amusement park in the desert, where thrills and joy go hand in hand. You can experience Desert sailboats, rail bikes, and Polaris all-terrain vehicles, racing across the sea of sand A high-altitude zipline, overlooking the rolling dunes from the air Camel riding, swaying along to feel the charm of the Silk Road A wonderful performance at the Guolao Theater There are also the Flying Sand Tower, roller coasters, a children's play area... both adults and kids can have a great time. Yuesha Island—a water park in the desert and a paradise for cultural experiences. You can Ride a sightseeing mini-train weaving among the dunes Watch the live-action performance of the national intangible cultural heritage "Ordos Wedding" and experience Mongolian wedding customs Enjoy a Mongolian khoomei performance and listen to heavenly sounds from deep in the grasslands Browse the Mongolian costume culture exhibition and see those gorgeous ethnic costumes If you come in summer, you can also cool off in the water park, with a sand sculpture park and children's play area nearby. Warm reminder: Before traveling, please confirm with us the tickets and activities for Xiansha Island and Yuesha Island. Desert Travel Tips 1. Accommodation Recommendations: If you want an in-depth experience, consider staying at the Lotus Hotel (five-star) or the Fusha Island Hotel (yurt-themed) inside the scenic area. Staying here gives you VIP access, skipping lines at some attractions, and you can also join activities such as stargazing dinners and bonfire parties. Just remember to book in advance. 2. Sun and Sand Protection: The desert has strong ultraviolet rays, so sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and a headscarf are essential. High-top shoes are recommended, and sand-proof covers are also very useful. Be sure to protect your phone and camera—sand is the natural enemy of electronics. 3. Hydration and Moisturizing: The desert is dry, so bring at least 2 liters of water per person. Lip balm and moisturizing spray can also come in handy. 4. Clothing Guide: In summer, wear light long sleeves and long pants for sun protection; in winter, temperature differences between day and night are large, so bring a down jacket. 5. Golden Hours for Photos: One hour after sunrise and one hour before sunset are the best times for dramatic dune photos, when the contrast of light and shadow is strongest—every casual shot looks like a wallpaper. 6. Safety First: Do not go into no-man's land alone, and follow the safety rules for activities. Protect the environment and take your trash with you so this desert can stay beautiful. After having your fill of fun, you will return to the hotel to rest.

This morning, you may choose to get up early (around 4 a.m.) to head to the Kubuqi Desert to watch the magnificent sunrise (optional). Afterward, return to Hohhot. Suggested Free Time Activities (if time permits) 1. Dashengkui Museum Complex (about 1.1 kilometers from Dazhao Temple): Includes the Dashengkui Culture Museum (closed on Mondays), Yongsheng Ceramics Museum, Morin Khuur Museum, and more. Dashengkui was the largest trading firm on the "Ten-Thousand-Li Tea Road" founded by Shanxi merchants in the Qing Dynasty. It was once said to own "half of Guihua City," bringing commercial prosperity to Hohhot. Strolling through it, you can almost hear the bells of the camel caravans of old. After the tour, your 5-day Inner Mongolia grassland and desert journey draws to a close. Extension Suggestions 1. You can extend your Hohhot trip to other Inner Mongolia destinations such as Baotou, Ordos, Badain Jaran Desert, and Hulunbuir. If needed, please let us know and we can assist in arranging your itinerary. 2. You can also extend your Inner Mongolia trip to other Chinese destinations such as Beijing, Shanxi, Gansu, Ningxia, Xi'an, Luoyang, Chengdu, and Shanghai.