Inner Mongolia

Inner Mongolia, officially the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, is an autonomous region of China. Its border includes two-thirds of the length of China's border with the country of Mongolia. Inner Mongolia also accounts for a small section of China's border with Russia (Zabaykalsky Krai). Its capital is Hohhot; other major cities include Baotou, Chifeng, Tongliao, and Ordos. The autonomous region was established in 1947, incorporating the areas of the former Republic of China provinces of Suiyuan, Chahar, Rehe, Liaobei, and Xing'an, along with the northern parts of Gansu and Ningxia. Its area makes it the third largest Chinese administrative subdivision, constituting approximately 1,200,000 km2 (463,000 sq mi) and 12% of China's total land area. Due to its long span from east to west, Inner Mongolia is geographically divided into eastern and western divisions. The eastern division is often included in Northeastern China (Dongbei), with major cities including Tongliao, Chifeng, Hailar, and Ulanhot. The western division is included in North China, with major cities including Baotou and Hohhot. It recorded a population of 24,706,321 in the 2010 census, accounting for 1.84% of Mainland China's total population. Inner Mongolia is the country's 23rd most populous province-level division. Han Chinese make up the majority of the population in the region; Mongols constitute a significant minority with over 4 million people, making it the largest Mongol population in the world (larger than that of the country Mongolia). Inner Mongolia is one of the more economically developed provinces in China with annual GDP per capita at US$14,343 (2022), ranked 8th in the nation. The official languages are Mandarin and Mongolian, the latter of which is written in the traditional Mongolian script, as opposed to the Mongolian Cyrillic alphabet, which is used in the country of Mongolia, formerly described as Outer Mongolia.

One-Day Inner Mongolia Tour Itinerary Recommendations

Theme:

Grassland Melodies + Desert Wonders + Mongol Culture

Suitable for:

Short trips to Hohhot/Hulunbuir/Ordos, optimal with chartered car/self-driving

Practical Tips

Seasonal Tips:

Grassland best Jun-Aug | Desert May-Oct (avoid sandstorms)

Ticket Prices:

Xiangshawan combo ¥280 | Hulunbuir tribe ¥100 | Zhaojun Museum ¥65

Must-Try Foods:

Hohhot: Shaomai (steamed dumplings), baked flatbread

Hulunbuir: Milk tofu, Buryat steamed buns

Ordos: Pickled vegetable stew, rice jelly

Optimization Tips:

Hohhot alternative: Five-Pagoda Temple (Ming Dynasty stupa)

Stay overnight in yurts for Milky Way photography (~3am)

Desert activities require electronics storage - bring phone sand covers

(Note: Inner Mongolia spans vast distances - focus on one league/city per day)

Option 1:

Hohhot Cultural Immersion

Best for:

History lovers, families

Transport:

City bus + taxi

08:00-10:00 Inner Mongolia Museum

Treasures: Xiongnu Golden Crown + Chagan Nur Dinosaur Fossils (free with booking)

10:30-12:30 Dazhao Temple

Gelugpa Buddhist monastery | "Three Wonders": Silver Buddha/Dragon Carvings/Murals

12:30-14:00 Mongolian Lunch

Gerilema Restaurant (hand-grabbed lamb + milk tea with fried rice + yogurt pancakes)

14:30-17:00 Zhaojun Museum

Xiongnu Culture Hall + Peace Palace | "Wang Zhaojun" live show (3:30pm)

18:00 Saishang Old Street

Buy Mongol knife crafts | Roast lamb leg with kumis

Option 2:

Hulunbuir Grassland Adventure

Best for:

Nature enthusiasts, photographers

Transport:

Chartered car from Hailar (~1.5hrs)

06:30-09:00 Morin Gol River

"World's First Curved Water" morning mist | Nine-Bend panorama

09:30-12:00 Barga Mongol Tribe

Horse riding/archery | "Dance of Horses" show (10:30am)

12:30-14:00 Grassland BBQ

Fresh lamb skewers + wild chive dip (bring mosquito repellent)

14:30-17:00 Ergun Wetland

Asia's largest wetland hike | Birch forest photography

18:00 Mongol Yurt Stargazing

Bonfire party | Learn Mongol song "Meeting at the Aobao"

Option 3:

Ordos Desert Expedition

Best for:

Adventure seekers, families

Transport:

Rent car at Ordos Airport (2hrs drive)

07:00-10:00 Xiangshawan (Singing Sand Dunes)

Camel ride + sandboarding/ATV (bring face coverings)

10:30-12:30 Yuesha Island

Desert water park | "Ordos Wedding" performance

12:30-14:00 Desert Cuisine

Sand onion omelet + camel meat pie (resort restaurants)

14:30-17:00 Genghis Khan Mausoleum

"Eight White Yurts" exhibits | Mongol Empire history

18:00 Kangbashi New Area

Asia's largest musical fountain (8pm show)