4 Days In-depth Hohhot Xilamuren Tour with Grassland Activities

Best Grassland Exploration & Hohhot Highlights

Xilamuren Grassland only 2 hours’ driving from Hohhot is the best to catch the standard grassland landscape and exciting activities and is quite favored for advanced equipment and accommodation.

This 4-day Hohhot & Xilamuren Grassland Tour starts from Hohhot and takes you to relax and play to the best on the wonderful boundless expanse of Xilamuren Grassland with pleasant roaming, sunrise admiring, feeling the culture and lifestyle of Mongolian people in Inner Mongolia and joyous dancing with locals. Besides, our local guide will accompany you all the way, show you the cityscape, diverse culture, historical development of Hohhot and entire Inner Mongolia and help you understand the influential imperial matrimony culture in the past dynasties in China. All top highlights of Xilamuren Prairie and Hohhot are well arranged for your time with guide and for self! Our trip package with travel consultant planning service, local guide introduction and a comfortable private vehicle with an experienced driver will help you get the best travel experience in Inner Mongolia without any worry! Feel free to contact us to get the detailed quotation or for any help!

Best time to take this tour: May to October is great to visit Hohhot, while June to September is recommended to admire the lush and green grassland scenery. July and August are especially the peak season with lots of visitors.

 Type : Private Tour
 Tour Code : CD-HHTT-04
 Price : from request
1. 1. This price is for one person, based on a group of 2 adults sharing one double-bed room in a hotel and traveling in low seasons;
2. 2. This price is subject to change according to your traveling season, group size, hotel class, change of activities and possible fluctuation of currency exchange rate.
 Theme : Nature / Culture / History
Physical Demands :

HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS TOUR

Marvel at the satisfying prairie landscape of Xilamuren Grassland with a relaxing stroll and have a deep experience of Mongolian life and pasture life with wonderful performance enjoying, local herdsman’s family visit and other featured experience;
Visit Inner Mongolia Museum to enrich your impression of its landform, lifestyle of past eras, culture of different tribes there and the historical stories of the past Yuan Dynasty and Genghis Khan with a rich series of precious collections and displays;
Walk around the well-known Dazhao Temple to admire its gorgeous ancient temple clusters and delicate layout and find its treasurable Buddha status, carvings and fresco to savor the value and influence of that old Buddhist shrine;
Go to Zhaojun Tomb to hear the praisable story of Wang Zhaojun marrying to the leading of the Hun tribe for national peace and understand the culture and history of “marriage for peace” between Central Plains and other tribes in ancient China.

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Itinerary Day by Day (Can Be Customized)

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Day 1 Hohhot Arrival
Pick up from airport / railway station & hotel check-in

Welcome to Hohhot, the Capital of Inner Mongolia! Upon your arrival, your local travel guide and driver will meet at the arrival hall of the airport / railway station and then escort you to your hotel in Hohhot downtown with a comfortable licensed private vehicle (non-smoking). Your guide will help you check in. The rest of today is on your own to explore the "Blue City" in Inner Mongolia.

Arrival Ideas: Hohhot Baita International Airport has many flights from many domestic destinations like Beijing, Datong, Shanghai, Xian, Guilin, Chengdu, Kunming, Guiyang, Guangzhou, Urumqi, Zhengzhou, Harbin, etc. and direct flight from some international destinations including Hong Kong, Taipei and Ulan Bator. You can also take a high speed train from Beijing (2-3 hrs), Zhangjiakou (1.5 hrs), Datong (2.5-3 hrs), Taiyuan (5 hrs), Shijiazhuang, etc.

Hohhot - the "Green City" & Milk Capital in China

Day 2 Hohhot - Xilamuren Grassland (B, L, D)
Today’s highlights: Xilamuren Grassland, Zhama Banquet Dinner and Performance, Bonfire Party

Good morning! After breakfast, your guide and driver will meet you at the hotel and then escort you to Xilamuren Grassland in Baotou with driving about 2 hours, which is the closest grassland from Hohhot!

Xilamuren Grassland or called Zhaohe means “Yellow River” in Mongolian and is the typical prairie with a boundless carpet of green grass, a chain of undulating hills, and groups of cows, sheep and horses roaming happily under blue sky, thus it is reputed as a green gemstone in Baotou and boasts big fame home and broad. Enter the area with a welcome toast and just get fully released with a free stroll around such pleasant and broad paradise. You can also choose to experience riding on a horse back, archery, and other activities based on your interests and time (optional activities with extra payment).

After lunch, go to visit Honggeer Aobao that is the largest aobao (a rock pile site for worshiping and sacrifice for Mongolian people) in Xilamuren Grassland and make your worship there. Next, appreciate the excellent outdoor large-scaled live-action performance of “Legend of Monan (Inner Mongolia)” (about 40 minutes). That gives a great introduction of the growth up, thriving, expansion, and establishment of Inner Mongolia people on the vast grassland with outstanding combination of featured Mongolian musics, dances and other Mongolian skills including horse riding, archery, etc. After that, enjoy your Zhama Banquet dinner to experience the dining manner and interest of the no.1 banquet in Inner Mongolian court in the past by dressing in aristocratic costumes and delicate Mongolian dishes (individual serving). Besides, appreciate like the past royal families the singing and dancing, playing of morin khuur (horse fiddle), amazing Urtiin duu (traditional Mongolian long song), Khoomei (Tuvan throat singing), and other arts of Mongolian group.

After dinner, join in the Mongolian styled bonfire party and have great fun dancing and singing with local Mongolian people under the charming starry night sky.
After today’s discovery, enjoy your night over in the Mongolian styled yurts with private bathroom. Have a nice sleep!

Notice: You can also choose to accommodate in a hotel with better facilities and services in Hohhot downtown area, however, you will miss out the sunrise the next morning. Please tell your travel expert when booking.

Xilamuren Grassland Horse Riding in Summer
Xilamuren Grassland Sunset in July
Xilamuren Grassland Grazing Sheep
Xilamuren Grassland Honggeer Aobao
Wonderful Zhama Banquet Dinner on Inner Mongolia Grasslands

Day 3 Xilamuren Grassland - Hohhot (B, L)
Today’s highlights: Xilamuren Grassland, Local Herdsman’s Family Visiting, Dazhao Temple

Good morning! Today, you can get up early (about 04:00 am) to catch the fabulous sunrise on grassland with the golden sun dying the surrounding sky and sun glow into orange, pink, rose, purple, etc. and giving the soft glories onto the vibrant grass. After breakfast, have a leisure roam around the grassland. Next, visit a local Mongolian herdsman’s family to see their living environment, watch their daily pasturing and learn how to milk the cow or sheep with them.

After that, be escorted back to Hohhot and visit Dazhao Temple (or called Wuliang Temple) built from 1579 AD, which is the most popular temple and earliest Tibetan Gelugpa monastery in Hohhot representing the Buddhist culture in Inner Mongolia. Take a leisure walk around the temple clusters and courtyards and worship with locals in front of the Buddha statues. You shall not miss the well-known treasurable “Three Excellence” of Dazhao, namely the silver Buddha statue created with thirty tons of fine silver by a Nepalese craftsman, the pair of outstanding carved golden dragons seeming to fly along the two ten-meter high main pillars, and the lifelike mural depicting the scenes of the heaven, the world and the underworld with 770 Buddha and figure statues. Also, the 4.2 meters tall Sakyamuni statue made of Burmese jade and 48,000 gemstones is another visual gift for past artistic skills in Inner Mongolia.

After the visiting, be escorted back to your hotel in Hohhot downtown. Have a good sleep!

Evening Idea: visit Saishang Old Street to enjoy architectures in traditional Ming and Qing dynasties features and find abundant local specialties and go to nearby popular Tongshun Lane Food Street to taste diverse delicious snacks with rich Inner Mongolian flavors.

Xilamuren Grassland in July
Yurt in Xilamuren Grassland, Picture Taken by Our Customer Liz from Australia in June 2021
Dazhao Temple Appearance

Day 4 Hohhot - Hohhot Departure (B)
Today’s highlights: Inner Mongolia Museum, Zhaojun Tomb

After breakfast, be escorted to visit Inner Mongolia Museum. This national first-class museum is a great window to have a comprehensive understanding of the ecological change, culture and historical development of the alpine grassland, deserts, forests, etc. in Inner Mongolia from trillions of years ago. Stroll at each themed hall to take a close look at those collections of local specimens of animal, plant, ores, etc., displays of costumes, lifestyles, national customs, language, art, culture communications, etc. of Mongolian and other Northern tribes living there, logical materials about the famous influential leaders and their dynasties including Genghis Khan and his Yuan Dynasty.

Then, transfer to Zhaojun Tomb (or Qingzhong) which is the tomb of Wang Zhaojun who is one of the four great beauties in ancient China receiving reputation from generation to the next for her voluntary marriage to the chief of Xiongnu (Hun, another tribe in ancient China). Walk around the top museum halls to know the background of Zhaojun’s marriage for national peace and her biography and contribution as the first lady for all Huns, learn the origin of the Hun tribe, the war, the compromise and union between Hun and ancient China Central Plains and its influence on culture between China and Europe, and understand the culture and changes of the imperial matrimony culture in ancient China for thousands of years.

After the tour, your guide and driver will escort you to the airport or railway station to catch your flight or train to your next destination or home. Tour ends!

Inner Mongolia Museum
Inner Mongolia Museum Precious Collection of An Ancient Crown
Zhaojun Tomb - Exhibition of Scene of Zhaojun's Marriage to the Chief of the Hun

Recommended Add-on Options

+1 more day to discover Genghis Khan culture in Ordos

Ordos is quite famous for the cultural relics of Genghis Khan who was the world influential leader of Mongol Empire eight hundred years ago and the booming economy there.

Enjoy 1 day to Ordos to seek the spiritual culture and historical stories of that great hero by visiting the must-see Mausoleum of Genghis Khan. And then, enjoy a leisure stroll along the glittery Kangbashi District to see Genghis Khan Sculpture Square, Mongol Chess Square and a series of outstandingly designed architectures.

Gerry's Group from Britain visited the Mausoleum of Genghis Khan in May 2019 with China Discovery

+2 more days fun adventure to Kubuqi Desert (Yemingsha)

Kubuqi Desert, one of the most beautiful deserts in China.

Kubuqi is so popular among travelers to admire the authentic desert view with nice colors and curves. Yemingsha Scenic Area at the hinterland of Kubuqi boasts fantastic sand dunes for exciting off-road driving adventure and other entertainment in the yellow and chocolate colored wonderland. Within 2 days, you will play it to the most with the nice desert hiking, cool off-road driving, starry night sky appreciating, desert hotel or camping experience, and other optional interesting fun.

Yemingsha Desert Off-road Driving Experience

+4 more days to explore all Hulunbuir highlights (Hailar - Hulunbuir Grassland - Ergun - Manzhouli - Hailar)

Hulunbuir is praised as the “Green Pure Land”, which offers the top best and ideal natural wonders, including the world’s top grassland - Hulunbuir Grassland.

And in the 4 days, you’ll receive the awesome visual fest by exploration at the boundless prairie, lush wetland, featured Mongolian yurts, beautiful mountain ranges, exotic villages, winding rivers, interesting museum, etc. Here is the plan - Day 1 to Hulunbuir Grassland, Morigele River, Ergun Wetland and Shiwei Russian Town with the Russian-style wooden Mukeden accommodation experience; Day 2 to Haur River and Heishantou with grassland sunset enjoyment and Mongolian yurts accommodation, Day 3 to drive along the sightseeing China-Russia Border Road to visit Hulun Lake and splendid Manzhouli Matryoshka Square; Day 4 to drive back to Hailar and visit Hulunbuir National Museum with the rest time is free for departure.

Meandering Morigele River and Hulunbuir Grassland, Picture Taken by Our Customer Sandra in July 2021

The quotation for this trip is from request Per Person

1. This price is for one person, based on a group of 2 adults sharing one standard double-bed room in a hotel and traveling with our private tour in low seasons.
2. This price is subject to change according your traveling season, group size, hotel class, change of activities in your itinerary and possible fluctuation of currency exchange rate. If you want a lower price, you can get more people to join you, or use economy class hotels.
3. This price is only valid to March 31, 2025.
4. Reference exchange rate of USD 1=RMB 7.00. The final quote is based on current exchange rate. It may change according to the currency fluctuation, while the RMB quotation will be remained the same.

What's included?

Professional licensed English-speaking guide;
Admission tickets for all attractions listed in the itinerary;
Live-action performance of “Legend of Monan", Zhama Banquet Dinner, bonfire party on the grassland listed in the itineary;
Accommodation as listed in the itinerary;
Necessary vehicle transfers as listed in the itinerary;
Airport (and train station) pick up and drop off in Hohhot;
Luggage Transfers: between airports (railway station) and hotels;
All meals as listed (“B” for Chinese and Western breakfast buffet in your hotel; “L” for Chinese Lunch in local restaurant; “D” for Chinese dinner in local restaurant.);
Accident insurance;
Our service charge, including tour planning, handling, operational and communication charges.

What's excluded?

China visa;
Personal expenses;
Accommodation not listed in the itinerary;
Single Room Supplement;
Tourist sites which are not listed in the itinerary;
Recommended optional activities (horse riding, archery and other activities on the grassland, local Mongolian herdsman’s family visiting) and evening ideas including Saishang Old Street, Tongshun Lane Food Street, etc. listed in the itinerary;
Flights or trains to/off Hohhot (we can book domestic flight/train for you);
Personal expenses;
Excess Baggage Charges;
Optional tips to guides, drivers, etc.

Check What our delighted customers are saying about our services

Hi dear Vivien,

our journey is about to end. We are on our way to Guilin airport. It has been an awesome trip indeed. Each destination was well chosen and everything went smoothly. I am super happy for my sister and me to be able to experience such a wonderful travel through the most stunning landscapes in China. Thank you for the perfect organization. And thank you for the nice gift we got in Guilin. Really appreciate it.

My sister with her fan. We also got a beautiful stamp and ink. Thank you very much!

Francesca

Francesca‚ Germany, March 31, 2024

Hi Vivien,

just want to record our thanks to you for your good planning, coordination and arrangement for our recent holidays to Dali, Lijiang and Xianggelila. The tour guides and drivers were warm and friendly and we felt safe, and enjoyed the trip very much.

All the best to you.

Janet/Richard/Claire

Janet‚ Malaysia, March 27, 2024

Hi Phoebe,

1. Yes - questions were promptly addressed to my satisfaction. Excellent service overall.

2. The local guide is knowledgeable and has good command of English. He's also patient, considerate, and takes good care of his customers.

Hee

Hee‚ Singapore, March 27, 2024

Hi Samantha,

Sunrise was very nice and checked us in to a nice room at 8:30 am. It’s been a while since we were in Shanghai, and it is a wonderful, clean city that’s very vibrant. It has been sunny and warm the last four days.

Jordan

Jordan‚ Canada, March 26, 2024

Dear Wing Zeng,

My family and I have now arrived safely back at home in Bangkok. We had a wonderful time on the cruise, and we would like to thank you very much for assisting us on the whole process, from booking the cabins to arranging transportation from Jingzhou to Maoping port. We are very impressed with your service.

As for your questions, here is my response:

1A: Wing Zeng always responds to our emails very promptly. At the beginning when I planned to book the cruise, Wing Zeng has been very patient to respond to all my questions about the cruise itinerary and the cabin types. I am very happy with her service.

2A: With Wing Zeng's help, our tour arrangements were very smooth. Our family travel with one senior and one small child, so we were very careful about transportation to and from the port. On the day of embarkation, Wing Zeng helped us book a van transfer directly from our hotel in Jingzhou to the port, which made the embarkation process very smooth and enjoyable.

3A: Definitely. I highly recommend your service to anyone who wants to take the Yangtze cruises.

4A: I'm very satisfied with your service. Our travel consultant is very helpful and professional.

5A: It would be nice if you could give a little warning that the water level in Chongqing might be too low around this time of year. Originally, our cruise was scheduled to end at Chongqing Chaotianmen port. But because of the low water level, we had to disembark somewhere else and took a 2-hour drive to Chaotianmen. The cruise arranges the transfer smoothly and it worked out fine in the end. But if this is something that happens usually around this time of year, it would be nice to be given a little warning beforehand.

Sira

Sira‚ Thailand, March 26, 2024

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How Our Teams Serve you at China Discovery

"Highest Standards of Quality and Honesty" is the core value of each specialized team at China Discovery.

Eveyone in our company is working hard for only one goal, which is to ensure the highest level of service, luxury, and attention to detail from the minute you begin planning your trip, to the day you return home.

1-on-1 Travel Consultant

Our travel consultants are professional, experienced and responsible, helping you from the very beginning to the end of your China trip!

After sending us an inquiry, one of our travel consultants will get back to you within 0.5~23.5 hrs. In the next few days, he/she will be working closely with you to formulate a customized tour plan, as well as providing professional suggestions based on your travel interests, time, and budget.

Beside, he/she will keep in contact with you during your entire tour in China, continually checking if everything is going well as planned.

: We're working at Chengdu Bamboo International Tours, local based in Chengdu.

Local Tour Guides

Our local guide in every destination is not only very friendly, enthusiastic but also very informative and knowledgeable.

Once you arrive in the destination, the patient and punctual guides will pick you up and take you to get under skin of the city at your own pace. By in-depth discovery and explanation, they’ll show you more about the history, culture, customs and authentic local life. Throughout the journey, they're not only expert guides who take care of all the details but also fellow travelers who are dedicated to help you explore in comfort and style.

: Our guides are passionate about what they do, and it shows all the way!

Local Drivers & Vehicle

Using our private transfer service makes you comfortable, relaxed and worry free all the way!

Our private service includes licensed drivers with many years’ driving experience and air-conditioned, non-smoking, clean and well-maintained cars/vans. Drivers are local, polite, friendly and helpful, taking you to your tourist sites, hotels, airport/train stations in safety. All kinds of vehicle are offered, and yours depends on the size of your group. Usually, we offer sedan cars, SUVs, business vans (MPV) and different types of buses, all with extra space for your luggage.

: Our private transfer service guarantees you the highest comfort!

Comfortable & Homelike Hotels

In each destination, you’ll enjoy a comfortable stay in a great location!

The hotels we choose are based on star rating, great locations, well-equipped facilities, cozy bed, high quality service and guests’ feedbacks. Choices are a lot ranging from luxury 5 star, comfortable 4 star to budget 3 star. You could decide where to stay to best suit for your budget and likes. Generally, the hotels have both Western and Chinese breakfast with a wide choices.

If you have already got an ideal hotel, please feel free to tell our travel consultants and they'll book the hotel for you.

: Have good sleep in our well-selected hotels in all the destinations of China.

Meals & Dining

We can satisfy all the dietary requirements no matter you want Chinese local food, western food, vegetarian food or muslin food.

The restaurants we will take you for lunch or dinner are all designated tourist restaurants approved by local tourist administration bureau. They have very good sanitary conditions and the food is prepared fresh and clean.

There will be some meals excluded in your itinerary as you like, and your private guide will be delighted to give you some suggestions and take you to the local restaurants to taste like Beijing Roast Duck, Xian Dumpling Dinner, Sichuan Hotpot, etc., if you are interested in local food tasting.

: All the dining options will satisfy your stomach!

Photo gallery of this trip

Hohhot - the "Green City" & Milk Capital in China
Xilamuren Grassland Horse Riding in Summer
Xilamuren Grassland Sunset in July
Xilamuren Grassland Grazing Sheep
Xilamuren Grassland Honggeer Aobao
Wonderful Zhama Banquet Dinner on Inner Mongolia Grasslands
Xilamuren Grassland in July
Xilamuren Grassland Yurt- Liz from Australia
Dazhao Temple Appearance
Inner Mongolia Museum
Inner Mongolia Museum Precious Collection of An Ancient Crown
Zhaojun Tomb - Exhibition of Scene of Zhaojun's Marriage to the Chief of the Hun

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Most Important Inner Mongolia Trip Notes

1. Best Grassland to Visit in Inner Mongolia

Hulunbuir Grassland 2.5 hours’ flight northeast away from Hohhot is the most beautiful one in whole China and one of the four largest grasslands in the world. Among the several grasslands near Hohhot, Huitengxile and Xilamuren are the 2 best popular grasslands with their own advantages. If you prefer natural sightseeing and like more authentic grassland with flowers and windmills, Huitengxile is your best choice. However, if you are planning to experience more Mongolian outdoor activities and want better accommodation facilities, Xilamuren Grassland is the better one.

2. Best Time to Visit Inner Mongolia

● For Grasslands: June to September is popular to appreciate the luxuriant sightseeing of grassland in various green, and July to August are the peak season with most domestic travelers.<

● For Desert: deserts like Badain Jaran, Kubuqi, Tengger, etc. are suitable to visit most time of the year. While spring and autumn are the best to travel with most comfortable temperature, among which June to October is the peak traveling season, but daytime in summer has very high temperature for desert walking. So, you can arrange your exploration in the morning and late afternoon if you go in summer.

● For Populus Euphratica Forest: late September to middle October is the best time to appreciate the yellow and golden leaves of Ejina Populus Euphratica Forest with cool weather and little rain. Average temperature usually drop gradually from 16℃ to 8℃ from September to October.

● Fore Wetlands and Forests: Wetlands and forests like Erguna Wetland, Moerdaoga Forest, Arxan Mountain, etc. are suitable to visit all around the year, but they show the more beautiful colors in summer and autumn. Winter is better for snow-covered scene.

● For Hohhot, Baotou, Ordos and More: Hohhot, Baotou and Ordos boast the continental monsoon climate with about 2°C in the northern area and about 6.7°C in the south area. It is suitable to visit Hohhot all year round, but May to October is the best time to enjoy the beautiful sightseeing and comfortable weather. Besides, spring is dry and windy with comparatively frequent sandstorm, summer is pleasant with little rain, autumn is cool and get cold quickly, while winter is long and cold with little snow. Summer and autumn are nice to visit Xilingol and Chifeng.

3. Inner Mongolia Tour Dressing Tips

Wear suitable seasonal clothes to accommodate the quite different weather in different seasons.

For Grasslands: summer clothes like trousers, T-shirts, comfortable hiking/walking shoes, hats, etc. in summer. Long-sleeves, sweaters, coats, trousers, hats, scarves, etc. in autumn and spring. But still prepare some warm and light winter clothes for Hulunbuir visit in spring and late autumn.

For Desert: summer clothes in summer. But long-sleeves, trousers, masks or scarves, etc. are better to protect from sunburn.

● Temperatures differ a lot from day to night, and it is highly recommended bring some warm clothes for the cold nights, even during the summer from June to September. Besides, long-sleeves, pants and thin scarves are recommended for warm keeping and defending mosquitoes. Comfortable walking shoes are highly suggested for your walking on the grasslands and other sites. Mosquito repellent is better to bring.

● Bring your sunglasses, sun block, hats, lip balm to care your eyes and skin due to the strong UV and long time staying outdoor.

4. How to Get to & Around Inner Mongolia

Inner Mongolia is large and has several landing gateways for discovering different areas.

● Hohhot: For most trips discovering the central areas (Baotou, Ordos...) and top grasslands (Xilamuren, Huitengxile, Gegentala, etc.), Hohhot is the best landing place with the best connection of flights and high speed trains. Hohhot Baita International Airport has frequent direct flights to most domestic places like Shanghai, Beijing, Xian, Chengdu, Guangzhou, etc. with almost 1.5-4 hours. International travelers can also fly from Hong Kong, Taipei, Ulan Bator, etc. to Hohhot. Also, Hohhot East Railway Station as well as Hohhot Railway Station offer high speed trains with Beijing, Datong, Zhengzhou, etc. for your easy arrival and departure. Besides, Hohhot is only about 1-2 hours’ car riding to nearby famous grasslands.

● Hulunbuir: Hulunbuir located at the northeast Inner Mongolia is the gateway for Hulunbuir Grassland, Russian villages, etc. Hailar Dongshan International Airport has flights to/from Beijing, Hohhot, Harbin, etc. Manzhouli Xijiao International Airport has flights to/from Beijing, Hohhot, Harbin, Guiyang, etc. No bullet trains are available in Hulunbuir!

● Ejina Banner: You can get there by car from nearby Lanzhou, Xining, Jiayuguan, Zhangye, Dunhuang, etc. After a flight or bullet train transfer; Also, you can take the daily flight to Ejina Taolai Airport with a short stopover at Alxa Left Banner Airport.

● Badain Jaran Desert: You can fly to Ejin Bamner, Alxa Left Banner, Lanzhou, Zhangye, Jiayuguan and Jinchang first and transfer to Badain Jaran Desert by car. Also, you can take a bullet train to Zhangye first and get to the desert by car. No bullet trains are available in Ejin Banner.

● Xilingol & Chifeng: You can take a flight to Xilingol from Hohhot, Beijing, Baotou, etc. easily. To reach Chifeng, you can catch a flight from some major cities or a bullet train from nearby cities in northern China, like Beijing, Dalian, Shenyang, Chengde, etc.

5. Where to Stay in Inner Mongolia

● Hohhot & Nearby Grasslands: Staying in Hohhot downtown like Xincheng District and area south of Xinhua Square is most popular for visitors to Hohhot, since they are convenient for transfer, close to major attractions and good for buying local souvenirs. For tourists planning staying overnight at the grasslands, Xilamuren, Huitengxile and Gegentala all provides different hotels, hostels, resorts and themed Mongolia yurts based on your various needs.

● Hulunbuir: Hailar District as the downtown offers most hotel choices and is also close to the Hailar airport and train station.

● Kubuqi Desert: Xiangshawan Scenic Area has more good hotel options for staying in desert. Yemingsha Scenic Area has only one desert hotel. Seven Stars Lake also offers some luxury desert resort. Nearby all places are suitable for desert camping.

● Ordos: Kangbashi District is relatively a better place to accommodate because it has the most good hotels, convenient downtown location, and closer distance to the airport, train station major attractions.

● Ejin Banner: Dalaihob Town is mostly chosen for its abundant hotels and homestays. Besides, places surrounding Ejina Populus Euphratica Forest, Juyan Lake and Heicheng Ruoshui Huyang Scenic Area are also good to stay.

● Badain Jaran Desert: Badain Jaran Town with starred hotels and hostels are popular. Also, you can stay overnight in the desert at the desert hotels, homestays, or Mongolia yurts. Camping in the desert is also a popular way.

Tips: Hotels and restaurants around Hohhot, Ordos, Baotou, etc. in central Inner Mongolia and Hulunbuir usually rise their prices during summer vacation in July and August and other travel peak season including National Holiday from October 1 to 7. From early to middle October is the peak season for Ejina Populus Euphratica Forest. And July to October for Badain Jaran Desert. So, it is better to plan and book your accommodation in advance.

6. Useful Travel Tips to Visit Grasslands / Deserts in Inner Mongolia

● Remember to always follow your groups instead of heading to the heart regions by your own, or you may get lost. Cell phone signal may be weak or zero in the grassland or forest areas in Inner Mongolia, stay calm.

● Wear the harness correctly when enjoying horse riding and follow the direction to keep safe!

● More useful tips & packing list for desert travel in China >

7. What to Eat During the Trip in Inner Mongolia?

For international visitors, you can choose western food in city downtown areas in Hulunbuir (Hailar, Manzhouli), Hohhot, Baotou, Ordos, etc. Cafés could be available in Shiwei and some other little towns in Hulunbuir. There is usually only Chinese food served in areas around grasslands, deserts, forests, etc. (such as Huitengxile, Badain Jaran, Kubuqi, Greater Khingan, etc.) Dinners at the grasslands are usually served with flavored Mongolian food for your fresh try.

8. What is the Itinerary Time of Each Day?

In Inner Mongolia, the schedule of each day usually starts around 08:30 in the morning, and the visiting would be ended at around 18:00-18:30 usually. But if your itinerary covers the grassland, it may last beyond 19:00 with the company of the tour guide. Since the attractions and destinations in Inner Mongolia are usually a little far from each other, there is usually a medium to long time driving of each day, such as 3-6 hours, particularly if you are going to visit the Kubuqi Desert from Hohhot or Ergun Russian villages from Hailar (Hulunbuir).

9. How to Plan an Inner Mongolia Tour

That also depends on which areas you are interested in to discover! For a classic Inner Mongolia nature and culture seeking for the first time, most travelers plan about 3-4 days to Hohhot to discover the city highlights with 1-2 days staying at Huitengxile Grassland or Xilamuren Grassland. Apart from Hohhot, a large portion also extend to nearby Ordos (1-2.5 days) to discover the cool Kubuqi Desert (Xiangshawan or Yemingsha) with the best city highlights, Baotou (1-2 days) with outstanding temples and monasteries, etc. for a central Inner Mongolia savory. If you want to discover the best grassland sightseeing and exotic ethnic flavors in China, plan 4-5 days to appreciate Hunlunbuir Grassland, Russian styled Shiwei, Enhe or Linjiang town with more fabulous lakes and dense forests of the northeastern part of Inner Mongolia. While, if you like the golden Ejina Populus Euphratica Forest and Badain Jaran Desert, it usually takes about 3-4 days for each destination. An in-depth Inner Mongolia trip from the east, via center, and to the west can take more than 11-15 days based on your interests. It is also a great idea to plan your trip to Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Datong, Xining, Dunhuang, Xinjiang, Guilin, Chengdu, Tibet, Yangtze River, Yunnan, etc. in China to enjoy more highlights and save more money! Please contact us if you have any question or need any help!

Note: If you want a deeper Inner Mongolia grassland discovery with 2 or more nights staying in the Mongolian yurts, please tell our travel expert directly to help you with the planning!

Payment and Booking Guide: 1. What kind of payment method do you accept?
PayPal, Wire Transfer/Bank Transfer, Western Union are acceptable before your arrival, and after your arrival, CASH is required.; 2. How soon before our trip do you need payment?
Early booking is always better than being rushed, and we would suggest booking to be 2-3 month earlier than your arrival so as to guarantee the booking items. If you are interested in any of our tours, you can pay a deposit first and balance to be paid 30 days prior to your arrival. You can also choose to pay the full amount so as to avoid small loss caused by currency exchange rate fluctuation.; 3. When should we pay the deposit and the balance?
Certain deposit will be paid if you decide to book, and the balance is required to be paid 30 days prior to your arrival. If booking is less than 30 days, full payment is required.

Recommended or Similar Tour Packages You May Also Like

5 Days Classic Inner Mongolia Tour Hohhot / Huitengxile Grassland / Yemingsha of Kubuqi Desert / Hohhot

6 Days Inner Mongolia Bests Discovery Tour Hohhot / Ulanqab / Huitengxile Grassland / Hohhot / Baotou / Yemingsha of Kubuqi Desert / Ordos

5 Days Best Hulunbuir Tour with Grassland Exploration Hulunbuir / Erguna / Manzhouli / Hulunbuir

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4 Days In-depth Hohhot Xilamuren Tour with Grassland Activities

HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS TOUR

Day 1 Hohhot Arrival

Day 2 Hohhot - Xilamuren Grassland (B, L, D)

Day 3 Xilamuren Grassland - Hohhot (B, L)

Day 4 Hohhot - Hohhot Departure (B)

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