Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, In-Depth Travel Concierge-Level Plan

Hohhot is a city rich in historical culture and natural scenery. Here is an in-depth travel concierge-level plan:

Main Attractions Introduction

- Dazhao Temple: Built in 1580, it is the earliest and largest Tibetan Buddhist temple in Hohhot. Also known as the "Silver Buddha Temple" because it houses a silver Buddha statue. The silver Buddha, dragon carvings, and murals are its "three wonders."
- Inner Mongolia Museum: A free museum with a rich collection. The first floor features the Chagan Nuur dinosaur fossil, while the second to fourth floors have themed exhibition halls such as the ancient world and grassland customs, providing a comprehensive understanding of Inner Mongolia’s history and culture.
- Chilechuan Grassland: Located 400 meters northeast of Taiyang Square on Hohotala East Street, here you can experience the unique grassland culture of northern Xinjiang and enjoy the beautiful scenery of "vast sky, boundless plains, and wind blowing the grass low to reveal cattle and sheep."
- Xilitu Temple: Adjacent to Dazhao Temple, it is a Gelugpa Tibetan Buddhist temple with exquisite architecture. The large white stupa inside is very spectacular, and you can pray in a pure and devout atmosphere.
- Five Pagoda Temple: Features five diamond throne relic pagodas. On its back is the world’s only Mongolian stone-carved astronomical map, which holds high historical and scientific value.

Travel Routes and Schedule

- Five-Day Tour Route
- Day 1: Arrive in Hohhot in the morning and check into a downtown hotel such as Jinyi Preferred Hotel (Juhai City Branch). In the afternoon, visit the Inner Mongolia Museum. In the evening, stroll through Saishang Old Street and taste local delicacies like lamb shaomai.
- Day 2: Charter a car to Xilamuren Grassland to experience the dismounting wine ceremony and horseback riding. In the afternoon, head to Wulan Hada Volcano Geological Park to walk the volcanic plank road and rent astronaut suits for photos.
- Day 3: Visit Xiangshawan to try camel riding, sand sliding, desert motorbiking, and watch the sunset. Return to Hohhot in the evening.
- Day 4: In the morning, visit Dazhao Temple and Xilitu Temple. In the afternoon, tour the Five Pagoda Temple and Zhaojun Museum.
- Day 5: In the morning, go to Mengliang Ethnic Style Park to buy local specialties. Enjoy a roast whole lamb feast at noon, then end the trip.

Features Introduction

Hohhot is the capital of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and has a strong Mongolian cultural flavor, including Mongolian songs and dances, costumes, and traditional customs. Additionally, it blends Central Plains culture, creating a unique regional culture reflected in architectural styles and food culture.

Local Specialty Recommendations

- Air-Dried Beef: Made from the hind leg meat of 2-year-old grassland yellow cattle, cut into strips, marinated thoroughly with salt and honey, then hung in a ventilated place to dry. It is salty, fragrant, and chewy.
- Wuchuan Youmian (Oat Noodles): Made using the "three raw and three cooked" technique. The rolled "wowo" looks like a honeycomb, and the pushed "yuyu" resembles silverfish. After steaming, it emits a wheat fragrance.
- Mongolian Cake: Made from yellow millet flour stir-fried half-cooked in an iron pan, mixed with millet flour, and kneaded with 80°C brick tea water. After fermenting for 24 hours, it is shaped into rings and fried in sesame oil until honeycomb-shaped, with a crispy crust and soft, sweet, and sour inside.
- Tuoxian Chili: Fresh chili peppers are sun-dried until moisture content reaches 12%, then hand-pounded in an iron mortar and stir-fried with 70% cooked Tuoxian sesame oil. It has a strong aroma and just the right amount of capsaicin.

Local Favorite Food Shops

- Gerile Ama Milk Tea House (Government West Gate Branch): Many repeat customers, authentic Mongolian cuisine with rich flavors, strong milk tea, and tender hand-pulled meat without any gamey taste.
- Lao Suiyuan Shaomai (East Station Street Branch): Shaomai are plump and juicy, a great place to enjoy local shaomai.
- Delehai Mongolian Restaurant: The restaurant space is full of ethnic characteristics, using authentic ingredients to cook genuine Mongolian dishes, allowing visitors to experience rich Mongolian food culture.

Price and Consumption

Hohhot’s overall consumption is medium to slightly high. Breakfast with shaomai costs about 22-29 RMB. For a casual gathering with friends at a slightly better restaurant, the average cost per person is 150-200 RMB. Ticket prices vary; for example, Xiangshawan ticket plus cable car is about 280 RMB. Accommodation ranges from budget hotels at 100-200 RMB per night, mid-to-high-end hotels at 300-800 RMB per night, to luxury hotels above 800 RMB per night.

Cost-Effective Accommodation Recommendations

- Homestays: Near Drum Tower, there are smart device-equipped homestays averaging about 58 RMB per person; near Xinhua Square, homestays with large floor-to-ceiling windows average about 55 RMB per person; near Dazhao Temple, homestays right by the subway average about 62 RMB per person.
- Hotels: Jinyi Preferred Hotel (Juhai City Branch) offers smart home features and city view floor-to-ceiling windows, convenient transportation, and moderate prices.

Pitfall Avoidance Guide

- When horseback riding on the grassland, always follow the horse keeper’s instructions and do not act on your own to avoid danger.
- Pay attention to etiquette when entering a Mongolian yurt: do not step on the threshold, and smoking inside the yurt is prohibited.
- Hohhot has a large temperature difference between morning and evening; even in summer, bring a thick jacket.
- When buying local specialties in scenic spots, be sure to check quality and price carefully to avoid being overcharged.