Day 1: Anywhere → or → Hohhot ★ Gathering day
All day
Today is the all-day gathering day. Tourists please go to the capital of Inner Mongolia (Hohhot) on their own and check in at the hotel with "China-Travel Note + Name".
Hohhot, also known as Qingcheng (Green City) and Zhaocheng (City of Zhao) due to its numerous temples, is also called Zhaocheng. Early arrivals should visit the Dazhao Temple. Inner Mongolia is deeply influenced by the Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism, and the Dazhao Temple in Hohhot is one of the largest and most influential in the region. If you're interested in Islamic culture, be sure to visit the Islamic Customs Street, where a mix of old and new mosques shine. Kuanxiangzi (Wanxiangzi) is a food street located near the street. A basket of mutton tsumabu (pork stew) is a must!
Collection Tips:
1. Hohhot Baita Airport is about 20km from the city center, about 40 minutes by car. There are airport buses and taxis are also very convenient.
Transportation Tips:
1. Airplane: There are many direct domestic flights to Hohhot, or you can fly to Ordos/Baotou and transfer to the high-speed rail (1-2 hours) to Hohhot;
2. Train: There are direct high-speed trains/bullet trains to Hohhot from Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Zhengzhou, Chengdu, Xi'an, Qingdao, Jinan and other cities.
Day 2 Hohhot → Grassland Ranch (Grassland Off-Road, Horseback Riding Experience) → Grassland Tribe
·morning
After breakfast, embark on your grassland adventure! Drive to the Huitengxile Grassland, a classic example of flower-filled meadows. Arriving in the morning, you'll enjoy a fun off-road drive through the gently undulating terrain, offering a rich tapestry of vistas: lush forests, vast grasslands, and scattered cattle and sheep. Stop and go, take photos, and experience the thrill of galloping across the grasslands.
Afterwards, return to the farm for other activities, including hands-on experience building a yurt, taking photos on the grasslands in traditional Mongolian clothing, and feeding lambs. There's also a horse farm nearby, where interested tourists can enjoy an exciting horseback riding experience (at their own expense). Under the guidance of a horseman, don a professional knight's hat, and ride a majestic steed. Enjoy the thrill of riding under the blue sky and white clouds, across the vast grasslands.
·afternoon
After having fun, we also specially arranged to watch a large-scale live-action drama "Meeting at Aobao", which is a large-scale nomadic live-action performance with the traditional Mongolian Aobao sacrifice and Nadam activities as the background. It combines singing and dancing, instrumental music, acrobatics, equestrian performances and other elements to give you an immersive experience of the grassland style.
Arriving at the Mongolian tribe in the evening, China-TravelNote has specially arranged a dismounting drink to welcome the tourists from afar! Dinner will be a special Mongolian meal.
At night, you can also join the bonfire party in the tribe, sing and dance with friends from all over the world, and enjoy a romantic night on the grassland!
Kind tips:
1. The live performance of "Meeting at the Oboo" is expected to start in June. If your group arrives before the performance, we will adjust the itinerary to visit the Huanghuagou scenic area.
2. To avoid waste, groups of 16 or more will be provided with roasted whole lamb, and groups of 15 or less will be provided with roasted lamb legs/lamb chops, along with some simple side dishes.
3. The bonfire party is a complimentary event for the scenic area. No refund will be given if you do not participate. It may be cancelled in case of rain or insufficient number of guests.
4. The temperature difference between morning and evening is large on the grassland, so please take precautions to keep warm;
5. We will be staying in a grassland yurt tonight. Compared with city hotels, the conditions are limited. Please understand.
Day 3 Grassland Tribe → Ulan Hada Volcano Geological Park → Datong
·morning
After breakfast, we'll head to the Ulan Hada Volcanic Geological Park, once featured on the cover of China National Geographic magazine. Over 30 volcanoes are scattered across the grasslands like beads, their flat terrain showcasing their impressive features. Driving along the Volcanic Highway, we'll gaze upon the majestic volcanic cones and the exposed dark red volcanic rock, a marvel at the wonders of nature. Afterward, we'll arrive near the volcanic cluster and begin our "Volcano Exploration" activity!
Tips for playing:
1. Volcano No. 3 (North Alchemy Furnace): This volcano has a viewing path leading directly to the top of the mountain, making it easy for both the elderly and children to visit!
2. Volcano No. 4 (Black Brain Bag): The entire mountain is reddish-brown
3. Volcano No. 5 (Middle Alchemy Furnace): This is a relatively well-preserved volcano. You can see the complete volcanic landscape at the top of the mountain, but the slope is steep and the climb is somewhat difficult.
4. Volcano No. 6 (South Alchemy Furnace): This is a fully developed volcano with exposed black and red mountain bodies. It is more suitable for shooting Martian blockbusters in spacesuits. If you are lucky, you can also pick up colorful volcanic rocks here.
·afternoon
After a delightful tour, we will head to Datong, once known as the capital of the Northern Wei Dynasty and one of the nine ancient capitals of China. After checking in at the hotel, you will be free to explore this cultural city with a long history.
Recommended city tours:
1. Huayan Temple - Shanhua Temple - Four Archways of Daiwangfu - Nine Dragon Screen - Drum Tower - Antique Street - Datong Ancient City Wall (Night View)
Day 4 Datong → Yungang Grottoes → Hanging Temple → Ying County
·morning
After breakfast, depart for the Yungang Grottoes, one of China's four major grottoes and renowned as a treasure trove of ancient Chinese sculpture. Carved into the mountainside, the Yungang Grottoes stretch for one kilometer from east to west. They boast 45 main caves, 252 niches of varying sizes, and over 51,000 stone sculptures. The grottoes blend artistic influences from ancient India, the Western Regions, and the Central Plains, boasting a rich tapestry of architectural styles and artistic details. Passing through Lingyan Temple and the Main Hall, we enter the grottoes and experience this magnificent treasure trove.
·afternoon
In the afternoon, we'll visit the Hanging Temple, which has become a major hit thanks to the release of "Black Myth: Wukong." Named one of the "World's Ten Most Dangerous Structures" by Time Magazine, it commands a significant reputation on Mount Huashan for its sheer hazard. Some say the Hanging Temple soars halfway up the cliff face, suspended in mid-air by three horsetails. Slender wooden pillars support the structure, a truly remarkable feat.
Upon entering the temple, I discovered that while it appears imposing from afar, it's actually quite small. However, as it ascends gradually, following the slope of the mountain, it offers a sense of grandeur within its smallness. Climbing the suspended tower, the narrow walkways, and low wooden railings truly require a certain level of courage. Navigating what I thought would be a series of steep, treacherous steps turned out to be surprisingly hidden entrances and exits, often around corners or in mezzanines. Be careful not to bump your head as you ascend.
Kind tips:
Due to the high visitor flow at the Hanging Temple, there may be temporary restrictions, sales suspensions, and long queues. The scenic area requires real-name reservations for ticket purchases, and travel agencies cannot purchase tickets on behalf of the visitors. Therefore, this product only includes the first entrance ticket to the Hanging Temple and does not include the boarding ticket (100 yuan/person). Tourists who wish to experience the boarding experience should reserve both entrance and boarding tickets in advance through the Hengshan Scenic Area official account. If you fail to reserve tickets, you will have to queue up on site to purchase tickets. If you are unable to secure a ticket, please remain calm, as we will continue the tour at the base of the temple as normal.
Day 5 Ying County → Ying County Wooden Pagoda → Jingtu Temple → Laoniuwan → Jungar Banner
·morning
After breakfast, we'll depart for the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda, the world's tallest and oldest existing all-wood pavilion-style structure, known as one of the "Three Greatest Pagodas in the World." While the pagoda appears to be five stories with six eaves, it actually has nine. Its design relies entirely on the interlocking and interlaced arrangement of brackets, columns, and beams, without the use of a single nail. Fifty-four different brackets are used throughout the pagoda, each with its own unique combination. Some incorporate beams, rafters, and columns into a single unit, creating an octagonal hollow structure on each floor. This is one of the most diverse and intricately designed ancient Chinese structures, making it a true museum of brackets.
Afterwards, we'll visit the Pure Land Temple, built during the Jin Dynasty and boasting a history of over 860 years. The main hall, the Mahavira Hall, is slightly square in plan, with sparse brackets, preserving the architectural style of the Jin Dynasty. The exquisitely constructed caisson ceiling and celestial palace pavilions within the hall were praised by Liang Sicheng as "a unique national treasure."
·afternoon
Afterwards, we'll visit Laoniuwan, where the Yellow River enters Shanxi, creating a magnificent, nearly 360-degree spiral, reminiscent of a dragon's tail. This magnificent canyon has been named one of China's Top Ten Canyons. Laoniuwan is renowned for the first encounter between the Great Wall and the Yellow River. In the afternoon, we'll visit Shenniu Square to explore and take photos. The square, composed of a single natural stone slab, is considered the "largest stone slab in the world" and has been submitted to the Guinness Book of Records. Legend has it that this was the resting place of Taishang Laojun while he led the divine ox to plow the river. To commemorate the myth of the "divine ox plowing the river," a 3.5-meter-tall, 3-meter-wide statue depicting the "Divine Ox Plowing the River" has been erected to the south of the square. We'll then explore Laoniuwan Village. After our enjoyable visit, we'll depart for Jungar Banner for overnight stay.
Day 6 Jungar Banner → Kubuqi Desert Off-Road Base
All day
After breakfast, we will depart for China’s seventh largest desert (Kubuqi Desert), and then start our crazy desert journey!
Arrive at the desert off-road base in the afternoon. After checking in at the hotel, rest for a while. The pristine and majestic desert here is a paradise for off-road enthusiasts. A wealth of desert recreational activities are available (included in the package): Start with a desert off-road trek and experience the thrill of surfing in the vast sea of sand! Afterward, you can choose from ziplining, sandboarding, ATV rides, and camel riding. China-TravelNote has also prepared some clothing for ladies, so you can choose and take photos.
In the evening, if the sky is clear, you can also lie on the sand dunes and enjoy the brilliant sky in your heart.
Kind tips:
1. The hotel room resources at the desert off-road base are limited. If there are no rooms during the peak season, we will adjust to hotels in nearby towns (Hengshengxing Desert Hotel, Heyang Desert Hotel or similar). Please understand!
2. A container-viewing hotel has been built at the desert base. If you want to upgrade, you can check the accommodation upgrade package when placing an order.
Day 7 Kubuqi Desert Off-Road Base → Hohhot ★ Disbandment Day
·morning
After breakfast, depart for Hohhot. Upon arrival in the city, you will be transferred to Hohhot East Railway Station and then to Hohhot Baita International Airport. Return to your warm home according to your schedule!
Return transportation:
Train: Estimated arrival time at Hohhot East Station is around 14:30. We recommend booking a train/high-speed train departing after 15:30.
Airplane: Estimated arrival time at Hohhot Airport is around 15:00. We recommend booking a flight after 17:00.
