Hohhot Three-Day Travel Guide

Hohhot, meaning "Blue City" in Mongolian, is the capital of Inner Mongolia and a crossroads of grassland and farming civilizations. Here you can enjoy the vast grassland scenery, ancient temples, and Zhaomiao culture, as well as delicious Mongolian cuisine and Shanxi-Shaanxi flavors. This guide takes you from frolicking on the grasslands to exploring history, from savoring hand-held meat to baked bread with shaomai, immersing you in the charm of the "Pearl Beyond the Great Wall"! Day 1: City Cultural Tour · Zhaomiao Temple, Museums, and Old Street Atmosphere Theme: Seeking Buddha’s Light at Dazhao Temple + Handcraft Shopping on Saishang Old Street + Reading History at the General’s Office Morning: Dazhao Temple · The "Buddhist Chanting Beyond the Great Wall" of Silver Buddha and Dragon Carvings Highlights: Dazhao Temple is Hohhot’s earliest Tibetan Buddhist temple, built during the Ming Wanli period, famous for its "Silver Buddha, Dragon Carvings, and Murals." The Sakyamuni statue inside is cast from 30,000 taels of silver, the hall’s golden dragon coiled pillars are magnificent, and the mural "Moonlight Tower" tells the story of Emperor Kangxi’s undercover visit, a true artistic treasure. Activities: - Counting Prayer Flags: The square outside the temple is hung with colorful prayer flags; walk clockwise to pray for blessings; - Tibetan Costume Photoshoot: Rent Tibetan clothes inside the temple (50-100 RMB/hour) and take stunning photos with red walls and golden roofs as the backdrop. Tips: Admission 35 RMB, opens at 8:30 AM, avoid tour group peak times; respect religious customs, no photos of Buddha statues. Noon: Saishang Old Street · Stroll Through a 300-Year-Old Market Highlights: Saishang Old Street is adjacent to Dazhao Temple, a pedestrian street with Ming and Qing architectural style, well-preserved bluestone roads and brick-wood houses. Street vendors sell Mongolian silver jewelry, leather paintings, morin khuur (horsehead fiddle), and the old brand "Deshunyuan" shaomai restaurant is a great place to experience local life. Activities: - Shop for Intangible Cultural Heritage Handicrafts: Recommended "Mongolian Leather Carving" (keychains from 50 RMB), "Felt Embroidery" (coasters from 30 RMB); - Eat at Old Brands: Must-try "Deshunyuan" lamb shaomai (8 pieces per tael, served with brick tea to cut the grease). Tips: Free entry, fewer people at noon for photos, street performers in the evening. Afternoon: General’s Office · Time Travel to the Qing Dynasty "Northern Frontier Government Office" Highlights: The General’s Office was the Qing Dynasty military governor’s office in Suiyuan City, with 132 existing buildings, known as the "First Government Office of the Northern Frontier." Stroll through the office to see ancient documents and weapons, and experience the interactive "court trial" in front of the "Ceremonial Gate." Activities: - Wear Qing Dynasty Official Costumes for Photos: Official costumes available for rent inside (30 RMB/hour); - Find the "Treasure of the Office": A replica of the "Tiger Tally" in the main hall, symbolizing the general’s military authority. Tips: Admission 20 RMB, 10-minute taxi from Dazhao Temple, soft light after 4 PM is great for photos. Evening: Kuang Alley Food Street · A Feast of Carbs and Meat Recommendations: - Baked Bread with Shaomai: A unique Hohhot way to eat, crispy baked bread sandwiching lamb shaomai, bursting with juice in every bite; - Lamb Offal Soup: Served with baked bread or baked flatbread, rich soup with plenty of ingredients, spicy but not overpowering; - Fruit Soup: Sweet soup made from dried apricots, red dates, and hawthorn, perfect for cutting grease. Tips: Around 30 RMB per person to eat your fill, recommended "Lao Suiyuan" lamb offal soup and "Wang Wei" baked bread. Day 2: Grassland and Desert · One Day Crossing "Vast Blue Sky" and "Golden Sand Sea" Theme: Xilamuren Grassland Horse Riding + Kubuqi Desert Surfing (Optional) + Mongolian Family Visit Plan A: Xilamuren Grassland One-Day Tour (Classic) Morning: Frolicking on the Grassland Activities: - Horseback Archery: Choose a 2-hour deep horseback ride (150-200 RMB), cross grasslands and streams, experience herder life; - Wear Mongolian Costumes: Mongolian robes available for rent on the grassland (50 RMB/set), take epic photos of "wind blowing the grass low to reveal cattle and sheep." Tips: Large temperature difference between day and night on the grassland, bring a windbreaker; choose a reputable horse ranch, do not go alone. Noon: Grassland Lunch · Hand-Held Meat + Milk Tea Recommendation: Taste "Hand-Held Meat" (bone-in lamb dipped in chive flower sauce) during a herder family visit, drink salty milk tea with fried rice, experience the hearty "big bite of meat." Afternoon: Grassland Activities Activities: - Grass Skiing: The grassland slide is 200 meters long, combining speed and excitement; - Watch Nadam Festival Performances: Some grasslands offer wrestling and horse racing shows (advance booking required). Plan B: Kubuqi Desert One-Day Tour (Thrilling) Highlights: Kubuqi Desert is China’s seventh largest desert, 3 hours by car from Hohhot, offering desert off-roading, sand sliding, and camel riding, perfect for adventure lovers. Activities: - Desert Off-Roading: Ride a 4WD vehicle over sand dunes (200 RMB/car), thrilling 90-degree slopes; - Stargazing Camping: Desert camp offers tents and bonfire parties (300 RMB/person), watch the Milky Way fall at night. Tips: Strong UV in the desert, bring sunscreen and sunglasses; wear high-top shoes to prevent sand. Evening: Return to City · Eat "Hardcore Mongolian Cuisine" Recommendations: - Ice-Boiled Lamb: Boil Sunite lamb with ice cubes, served with Lakshen sauce (Mongolian specialty dipping sauce), tender meat without gamey taste; - Pot Tea: Salty milk tea with dried beef, milk skin, and fried rice, stir before drinking for better flavor. Restaurants: "Gerile Ama Milk Tea House" (70 RMB/person), "Saiyide Mongolian Restaurant" (100 RMB/person). Day 3: Nearby Hidden Gems · Volcanic Geological Wonders + Gelugpa Sacred Site Theme: Explore Ulanhada Volcanic Group + Wudangzhao Temple Blessing (Choose One) Plan A: Ulanhada Volcanic Group (Top Choice for Geology Enthusiasts) Highlights: Ulanhada Volcanic Group is 4 hours from Hohhot, an active volcano from 100 million years ago. Volcano No. 6 (North Alchemy Furnace) allows you to wear astronaut suits for photos; Volcano No. 3 (North Eye Mountain) has a red phone booth, like being on Mars. Activities: - Climb the Volcano Crater: Volcano No. 6 has gentle steps, 10 minutes to the top; - Collect Volcanic Rocks: Take home black basalt as a souvenir (do not dig or collect excessively). Tips: No admission fee, recommend chartering a car (800 RMB/day) or joining a tour; wear bright clothes for better photos. Plan B: Wudangzhao Temple (A Must for Tibetan Buddhism Fans) Highlights: Wudangzhao is the largest Tibetan Buddhist temple in Inner Mongolia, known as the "Little Potala Palace," with 6 main halls and 48 buildings, well-preserved murals, thangkas, and Buddha statues, ideal for peaceful prayer. Activities: - Spin Prayer Wheels for Blessings: Long corridor of prayer wheels outside the temple, turn clockwise to accumulate merit; - Listen to Debates: Monks’ debates at 3 PM, open to the public to experience Tibetan Buddhist wisdom. Tips: Admission 60 RMB, 2 hours by car from Hohhot, photography of Buddha statues inside is prohibited. Transportation and Accommodation Guide 1. Transportation Long-distance: - Airplane: Hohhot Baita Airport, taxi to city center 30 RMB; - Train: Hohhot Station/East Station, East Station is closer to the city, Metro Line 1 direct access. City Transportation: Attractions are scattered, recommend chartering a car (400-600 RMB/day) or renting a car (from 150 RMB/day); public buses accept Alipay "Qingcheng Electronic Bus Card." 2. Accommodation City Cost-Effective: Atour Hotel on Xinhua Street (400-600 RMB/night), walking distance to Dazhao Temple; Grassland Specialty: Mongolian Yurt Homestay in Xilamuren (200-400 RMB/night), experience starry sky and bonfire; High-End Option: Shangri-La Hotel (from 800 RMB), top-notch service and facilities. Hohhot, a Dialogue Between Grassland and History From the Buddhist chants of Dazhao Temple to the hoofbeats on the grassland, from the wild desert to the tranquil volcanoes, every side of Hohhot hides the unique charm of the "Blue City Beyond the Great Wall."