July Hohhot Ultimate Travel Guide (Part 1)! 5D4N Volcano & Grassland Adventure

July turns Hohhot into a heavenly destination! While southern China melts in heat, here you get 25°C breezes with flower-filled grasslands by day and Milky Way views under volcanoes by night 🌌~ Fresh from my trip, I've split this 5-day itinerary into Volcano/Grassland and Desert/City sections. First up: conquering Ulanhad Volcano and Huitengxile Grassland – complete with horseback riding haggling tips!

🌋Day1-2: Ulanhad Volcanic Cluster – Mars on Earth

🚗Transport hack: 4h drive from Beijing / 2.5h car rental from Hohhot

We flew into Hohhot at night and stayed at Wanhao Hotel – a lazy traveler's dream with free airport transfers + 1.4km to East Railway Station. The rental company delivered our SUV right to the hotel 🚗 (SUV essential for volcanic gravel roads!).

🌍How to conquer volcanoes No.3-8? Sci-fi photo ops await!

✅Volcano #3: Equestrian paradise
- Black lava + red walkways = "Wandering Earth" film set vibes. Local herders offer horseback photos (initial price ¥100/person; haggle to ¥50/10min by saying "just two quick shots").
- Sunset tip: Shoot mirror-like reflections in the crater lake, wearing bright jackets for pop against dark lava 📸.

✅Volcano #6: Astronaut photoshoot central
- Rust-colored mining scars create instant Mars landscapes. Use phone portrait mode + 0.5x wide angle for epic shots.
- Skip the ¥50 rented astronaut suits – bring your own silver jacket for hygiene.

✅Volcano #8: Gemstone treasure hunt
- Scour colorful gravel for raw agates (bring a small hammer!). Lucky finds include pigeon-blood red stones 💎.
- Hidden bonus: Wild sunflower fields behind the volcano for dreamy golden hour photos.

🌌Milky Way photography secrets (Key tips!)
- Best time: 1-3am (locate via Star Walk app)
- Camera settings: ISO3200 + f/2.8 + 30s exposure (use "Pro mode" on phones)
- Prime spot: End of Volcano #3 walkway – minimal light pollution with lava rock foreground ✨

🏕️Day3-4: Huitengxile Grassland – Hayao Miyazaki comes alive

🚗1.5h drive from volcanoes to grassland core

Pass "Ninety-Nine Lakes" en route – every roadside stop looks like a Windows wallpaper! Skip crowded Huanghuagou Scenic Area (overpriced tickets) for open grasslands.

🐎Grassland must-dos: Horseback riding + Zhama Feast + Stargazing yurts

✅Horseback haggling 101:
- Near Huanghuagou South Gate, negotiate group discounts: "5 riders for ¥80/person" works for 4km circuits.
- Pro tip: Choose short brown horses (gentle) over tall white ones (photogenic but temperamental).

✅Zhama Feast: Regal Mongolian dining
- Wear traditional robes, drink welcome liquor, enjoy horsehead fiddle performances. The ¥150/person feast includes whole roasted lamb with ceremonial songs 🎵.
- Must-eat: Hand-grabbed mutton with leek flower sauce, fried millet with creamy cheese.

✅Accommodation hack:
- Avoid scenic area yurts (fake AC). Book "Time Grassland Homestay" – 5min from Huanghuagou with 24h hot water + floor heating + backyard BBQ under stars.

🌼Secret spots (10x prettier than Huanghuagou!):
- Little Sky Lake: 10min walk from North Gate – perfect backlit portraits by reeds.
- Wildflower Slope: Drive 5km toward Zhuozishan for poppy-filled meadows straight from French cinema 🌺.

🍜Food Hall of Fame (Local-approved):

❤️Must-eat:
- Volcanic lamb legs at "Grassland Ballad" (crispy skin + garlic combo!)
- Zhuozishan smoked chicken (juicy amber-skinned birds at "Li Zhen Smoked Chicken")
- Ice-boiled lamb at "Gerile Amma" – meat so tender it slips off chopsticks!

💔Avoid:
- Scenic area "Mongolian milk tea hotpot" (¥80 for bland broth + meat slices 😤)
- Volcano footpath sausages (¥10 starch-filled scams – buy "Niulanghan" beef jerky instead).

🚗Route Planner:
- Day1: Airport → Hotel → Car rental → Volcano (overnight)
- Day2: Volcano exploration → Sunset → Milky Way photography
- Day3: Volcano → Grassland → Horseback → Zhama Feast (yurt stay)
- Day4: Huanghuagou hiking → Sky Lake → Return to Hohhot

💡Pro tips:
- Clothing: Light jacket + pants (mosquito proof) by day; down jacket at night (10°C drops!)
- Gear: Sunglasses + SPF50 (fierce UV), telephoto lens for pastoral scenes
- Budget: ¥800/person for 4 days (car+lodging+tickets)

Hohhot in July blends volcanic fire with grassland chill – whether watching the Milky Way cascade down a crater or feeling wildflowers kiss your cheeks, you'll rediscover what "healing" truly means 🌌~ Next up: Xiangshawan Desert + Hohhot city guide – stay tuned! 👇