How to Choose Among the Three Major Grasslands in Hohhot

📢 Want to visit the grasslands but worried about the crowds? As a "grassland enthusiast" who has explored all the grasslands around Hohhot, I’ve compared the Chilgery Grassland, Huitengxile Grassland, and Xilamuren Grassland. After reading this, you’ll know which one to pick! ❗
-
🌱 Grassland Status Update (August Edition)
✅ Chilgery Grassland: 90% green (artificially planted)
✅ Huitengxile Grassland: 100% green + strong wind warning
✅ Xilamuren Grassland: 70% green, but offers many activities
-
1️⃣ Chilgery Grassland (Photos 1-6)
Distance from Hohhot city center: 30-minute drive
🌟 Suitable for: Families with elderly or kids / Those short on time / Photography enthusiasts
✔️ Pros:
◾ Super close! You can take a taxi from the city
◾ Well-equipped with boardwalks and rest areas
◾ Cultural atmosphere as it’s the setting of the poem "Chilger Song"
❌ Cons:
◾ Artificial grassland, lacks natural wildness
◾ Many commercial photo spots (fees range from 10-30 RMB per spot)
📸 Photo Tip: Take silhouette shots of "wind-blown grass revealing cattle and sheep" at sunset
-
2️⃣ Huitengxile Grassland (Photos 7-11)
Distance from Hohhot: 2.5-hour drive
🌟 Suitable for: Photography enthusiasts / Those wanting to stay in a yurt, great for family trips
✔️ Pros:
◾ Stunning white wind turbines and Huanghuagou (Yellow Flower Valley)
◾ Stay in a yurt with fewer crowds! Even during May holidays, you can have a whole hill to yourself
❌ Cons:
◾ Extremely windy! Hats won’t stay on
🐎 Hidden Activity: Ride a horse to the base of the wind turbines for sci-fi-style photos
-
3️⃣ Xilamuren Grassland (Photos 12-15)
Distance from Hohhot: 2-hour drive
🌟 Suitable for: Those wanting to experience grassland activities / Don’t mind traveling further
✔️ Pros:
◾ Full range of activities like horseback riding, archery, and off-road vehicles
◾ Features a Zama Banquet (imperial-style feast experience)
◾ Visit herders’ homes to milk cows and feed lambs
⭕ Summary
◾ For those who just want to take photos for social media, choose Chilgery Grassland
◾ For fewer crowds and better grass conditions, ideal for family trips, choose Huitengxile Grassland
◾ For team-building activities and grassland entertainment, regardless of grass conditions, choose Xilamuren Grassland
⭕ My Recommended Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Hohhot
Day 2: Hohhot - Huitengxile Grassland - Huanghuagou Scenic Area
Day 3: Huitengxile Grassland - Wulanhada Volcano - Chilgery Grassland & Hasuhai Lake
Day 4: Daqi - Xiangshawan Desert - Hohhot
Day 5: Return
(P.S.: This itinerary is perfect for summer vacations. You’ll experience the best grass conditions around Hohhot, making up for the less-green grasslands during May holidays. Chilgery Grassland is now lush and photogenic. This route covers classic attractions around Hohhot, including grasslands, deserts, and volcanoes. Whether you join a tour or travel independently, just choose the travel style that suits you best!)