Inner Mongolia Travel Guide
Inner Mongolia offers endless grasslands, the Gobi Desert, horse riding, and authentic nomadic culture.
Featured Tour in Inner Mongolia
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Inner Mongolia is a vast autonomous region stretching along China's northern border. It offers a landscape of rolling grasslands, shifting sand dunes, and clear blue skies. Visitors can experience traditional Mongolian nomadic life, sleep in yurts, ride horses across the steppe, and explore the Kubuqi Desert.
Why Visit Inner Mongolia?
Top Attractions in Inner Mongolia
Xilamuren Grassland
A vast grassland near Hohhot where visitors can stay in yurts, ride horses, and experience nomadic life.
Kubuqi Desert
The seventh largest desert in China, offering camel riding, sand sliding, dune bashing, and desert camping.
Genghis Khan Mausoleum
A grand mausoleum complex in Ordos dedicated to the founder of the Mongol Empire.
Hulunbuir Grassland
One of China's most beautiful grasslands, with rolling green hills, rivers, and herds of sheep and cattle.
Dazhao Temple
A Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Hohhot, housing a 3m silver Buddha statue and intricate murals.
Arxan National Forest Park
A scenic area of volcanic lakes, hot springs, and dense forests near the border with Mongolia.
Local Food in Inner Mongolia
Inner Mongolia at a Glance
- Country
- China (People's Republic of China)
- Best time to visit
- June-September. Summer brings green grasslands and comfortable temperatures. July-August is the Nadam Festival season with traditional games.
- Getting there
- Hohhot Baita Airport connects to major cities. Trains and buses connect to Beijing (6h by train) and other northern cities.
- Top highlights
- Grassland, Desert, Nomadic Culture
- Local cuisine
- Roasted Whole Lamb, Mongolian Milk Tea, Airag (Fermented Mare's Milk)
Getting Around Inner Mongolia
Hohhot Baita Airport connects to major cities. Trains and buses connect to Beijing (6h by train) and other northern cities.
Travel Tips for Inner Mongolia
- Bring warm clothes for nights
- Book yurt stays in advance
- Visit during Nadam Festival in July
- Try roasted whole lamb
- Bring insect repellent for grasslands
Inner Mongolia Travel Guide
Inner Mongolia Grassland Experience
Inner Mongolia offers a unique nomadic culture experience. A 3-4 day itinerary from Hohhot: Day 1: Hohhot city — Dazhao Temple, Inner Mongolia Museum, and the old city. Day 2: Xilamuren Grassland (90km north, 2 hours) — horse riding, yurt stay, and traditional Mongolian dinner. Day 3: Return to Hohhot, then to Kubuqi Desert (2 hours) for camel riding and sand activities. Day 4: Genghis Khan Mausoleum in Ordos (3 hours from Hohhot). For a more remote experience, fly to Hailar and visit the Hulunbuir Grassland — China's most beautiful grassland, with rolling green hills, rivers, and herds of sheep and cattle. The best season is June-September; July brings the Nadam Festival with traditional wrestling, archery, and horse racing.
Yurt Stays and Nomadic Life
Staying in a traditional Mongolian yurt (ger) is the highlight of an Inner Mongolia trip. Yurt camps on the Xilamuren and Hulunbuir grasslands offer furnished yurts with beds, blankets, and sometimes private bathrooms. A typical yurt stay includes: afternoon horse riding across the steppe, a traditional Mongolian dinner of roasted lamb and milk tea, an evening bonfire with Mongolian singing and dancing, and sleeping under the stars. Wake early for a grassland sunrise — the mist over the rolling green hills is magical. For a more authentic experience, arrange a homestay with a nomadic family (through a local travel agency). You'll help herd sheep, milk cows, and make dairy products. The Nadam Festival in July is the best time to experience traditional Mongolian culture — watch wrestling matches, horse races, and archery competitions.
Kubuqi Desert Adventures
The Kubuqi Desert, China's seventh largest, offers a range of desert activities just 2 hours from Hohhot. The Xiangshawan (Resonant Sand Bay) scenic area features camel riding along dune ridges, sand sliding (like snowboarding on sand), dune bashing in 4WD vehicles, and a desert cable car. For the adventurous, try sandboarding down 60-degree dune faces or paragliding off dune peaks. The desert camp offers yurt-style accommodation with bonfire dinners and stargazing — the desert sky is spectacular with zero light pollution. Visit in the late afternoon when the sand cools and the light turns golden. Bring sunglasses, sunscreen, and a scarf to cover your mouth from blowing sand. The best photos are at sunset when the dune ridges create dramatic shadows.
Hulunbuir: China's Most Beautiful Grassland
Hulunbuir Grassland in northeastern Inner Mongolia is widely considered China's most beautiful grassland. The landscape of rolling green hills, winding rivers (the Argun and Hailar), and endless sky is breathtaking. Fly to Hailar (from Beijing, 2 hours), then hire a car for a 3-4 day driving tour. Key stops: Morigele River (the "first bend under heaven"), Ergun Wetland (Asia's largest), Shiwei (a Russian ethnic village on the border), and the Black Mountain (Heishan) for panoramic grassland views. The Hulun Lake and Buir Lake are vast inland lakes teeming with birdlife. The best season is July-August when the grass is greenest and wildflowers bloom. The drive from Hailar through the grassland is one of China's most scenic road trips. Stay in yurt camps or Russian-style wooden houses in Shiwei.
Mongolian Culture and Cuisine
Mongolian culture in Inner Mongolia is centered on nomadic pastoralism and the legacy of Genghis Khan. The Genghis Khan Mausoleum in Ordos (though a symbolic rather than actual burial site) is a grand complex with exhibits on the Mongol Empire. Mongolian cuisine reflects the nomadic lifestyle: roasted whole lamb (khorhog) is the centerpiece of any celebration, cooked with hot stones inside the animal's skin. Mongolian milk tea (suutei tsai) is served at every meal — slightly salty and made with milk and tea bricks. Airag (fermented mare's milk) is a traditional summer drink with a mild alcoholic kick. Buuz (steamed meat dumplings) and khuushuur (fried meat pastries) are everyday foods. For a cultural show, attend a traditional Mongolian music performance featuring throat singing (khoomei) and the morin khuur (horse-head fiddle). The Nadam Festival in July is the ultimate cultural experience.
Getting to Inner Mongolia
By Air
Hohhot Baita International Airport (HET) is 15km from the city center, with flights from Beijing (1.5h), Shanghai (2.5h), Xi'an (1.5h), and other major cities. Hailar Dongshan Airport (HLD) serves the Hulunbuir region, with flights from Beijing (2h), Shanghai (3h), and Harbin (1h). Ordos Ejin Horo Airport (DSN) serves the Genghis Khan Mausoleum area. For the Xilamuren Grassland, fly to Hohhot and drive 2 hours north. For Hulunbuir, fly to Hailar. Book domestic flights via Ctrip or airline websites.
By Train
Hohhot Railway Station and Hohhot East Station (high-speed rail) connect to Beijing (6-9 hours by conventional train, 2.5 hours by high-speed from Beijing Qinghe), Xi'an (12 hours), and other northern cities. The high-speed line from Beijing to Hohhot opened in 2019, dramatically reducing travel time. Trains to Hailar (for Hulunbuir) depart from Harbin (12 hours) or Beijing (30+ hours); flights are strongly recommended. Book via 12306.cn. The train journey from Beijing to Hohhot passes through scenic mountain and grassland landscapes.
By Bus
Long-distance buses connect Hohhot to Beijing (8 hours), Baotou (2 hours), and other Inner Mongolia cities. Buses to Xilamuren Grassland depart from Hohhot Bus Station (2 hours, 25 RMB). Buses to Kubuqi Desert (Xiangshawan) depart from Hohhot (2 hours, 30 RMB). For Hulunbuir, buses from Hailar to grassland destinations are infrequent; hiring a car with a driver is the standard approach. For the Genghis Khan Mausoleum in Ordos, buses depart from Hohhot (3 hours) or Baotou (2 hours).
Local Transport
Within Hohhot, buses cost 1 RMB and cover all city attractions. Taxis start at 6 RMB. For grassland and desert destinations, hiring a car with a driver is essential — arrange through your hotel or a travel agency (400-600 RMB/day). Self-driving is possible with a Chinese license; car rentals are available at the airport. The roads to Xilamuren and Kubuqi are well-paved. In Hulunbuir, a hired car with driver is the only practical way to explore the vast grassland (500-800 RMB/day). GPS navigation works well on main roads. Bring a paper map as backup for remote areas. Yurt camps provide free parking.
Plan Your Trip to Inner Mongolia
If you are planning a trip to Inner Mongolia, please feel free to email us for a more precise itinerary. We can customize the tour route and activities according to your specific requirements.
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Quick Info
Best Time to Visit
June-September. Summer brings green grasslands and comfortable temperatures. July-August is the Nadam Festival season with traditional games.
Getting There
Hohhot Baita Airport connects to major cities. Trains and buses connect to Beijing (6h by train) and other northern cities.
Tours in Inner Mongolia
Private tours with dedicated guide, driver & vehicle
Classic Beijing & Xi'an 8 Days
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Golden Triangle 10 Days - Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai
Experience the essence of Chinese civilization, from ancient capitals to modern skylines
Guilin & Yangshuo Landscape 6 Days
Cruise the Li River through poetic karst landscapes and idyllic countryside scenery
Tibet Adventure 12 Days
Journey to the Roof of the World, visit Potala Palace and witness Mount Everest
Chengdu Pandas & Zhangjiajie 9 Days
Meet giant pandas up close and marvel at the Avatar-inspired sandstone pillars
Silk Road Expedition 14 Days
Trace the ancient Silk Road, discover Mogao Caves and experience vast desert landscapes
About Inner Mongolia Travel
Inner Mongolia is one of China's most popular travel destinations. As a professional Inner Mongolia Travel Agency, QTour offers private Inner Mongolia tours with dedicated guides, drivers, and vehicles. Our Inner Mongolia travel packages cover Grassland, Desert, Nomadic Culture, and more. Whether you're planning a Inner Mongolia city tour or combining Inner Mongolia with other Chinese destinations, our expert team will create the perfect itinerary for you.
Book your Inner Mongolia tour with QTour — a trusted Chinese travel agency with 25+ years of experience. One booking, one team: private guide, driver, and optional photographer. Contact us at info@qtour.net or WhatsApp.
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