4 Days Hohhot and Xilamuren Grassland Tour

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arrival in Hohhot

   Welcome to our 4-day Inner Mongolia tour to Hohhot! As the capital of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Hohhot is one of the birthplaces of Chinese civilization. Upon your arrival at the airport/train station, a local driver will meet you, by holding a welcome sign with your name on it.

   After that, you will be escorted to your downtown hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to explore this beautiful city. You can stroll through the bustling streets and visit the vibrant local markets. You are highly recommended to try authentic Mongolian cuisine, such as the famous Mongolian hot pot or grilled lamb kebabs.

   Meal: N/A

   Accommodation: in Hohhot

2. Day 2: Hohhot to Grassland Tour by Car
   Experience Mongolian Culture with Grassland Activities, Traditional Feast, Yurt Stay

   After a hearty breakfast at your hotel, you will start your day trip to Xilamuren Grassland. It is located in Baotou, approximately 2 hours away from Hohhot. Along the way, you will see vast grasslands stretching as far as the eyes can see.

   After arriving at the grassland, your tour guide will introduce you the nomadic Mongolian culture. You can choose to experience optional activities on grassland, including trying your hand at archery and riding on horseback (at your own expense). Through the activities, you will gain a deeper understanding of their way of life. It is very fun to experience being a Mongolian nomad.

   

   After lunch, you will be arranged to visit the Hongge'er Aobao Tourism Scenic Area. This is a sacred place for Mongolians where you will enjoy an exciting outdoor live show. Through unique music and dance, you will learn about traditional Mongolian customs.

   Afterwards, you will enjoy a grand feast of Mongolian cuisine - Zhama Banquet dinner. After dinner, a Mongolian style bonfire party is waiting for you to sing and dance with local Mongolian people. You will spend a marvelous night under the starry sky.

   Tonight, you will spend the night in a traditional yurt. This is a portable dwelling used by the nomadic Mongolian people and is equipped with basic modern amenities (including a private bathroom).

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner

   Accommodation: in Yurt

   

3. Day 3: Grassland to Hohhot Tour by Car
   Visit a Mongolian Herder Family and Explore a Historic Temple

   Wake up around 4:00 a.m. The beautiful sunrise over the vast grasslands will greet you. You can take a walk and breathe in the fresh air. After breakfast in your yurt, your private guide will take you to visit a local Mongolian herder family. There, you can experience their way of life. Have a friendly conversation with them with the help of your guide and learn about the customs and traditions of their nomadic life.

   

   Next, drive back to Hohhot for a visit to Dazhao Temple. It belongs to the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism and was once honored as an imperial temple because two emperors of the Qing Dynasty once lived here. Silver Buddha, dragon carvings and murals are the three highlights of the temple. When you enter the temple's main hall, you can see a "Shakyamuni statue", made of 30,000 taels of pure silver. In front of the Buddha's seat, there are two vividly shaped golden dragons, about 10 meters high. The murals, which cover the walls of the sutra hall and the Buddha hall, are said to be made of mineral raw materials, and the color has not retreated.

   

   During your free time in the evening, you are recommended to explore Saishang Old Street on your own. It is quite lively at night, lined with many stores. You can find a variety of local snacks, unique handicrafts, and Mongolian clothing.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Hohhot

4. Day 4: Departure from Hohhot
   Visit Exhibits on Ecology, Xiongnu Artifacts, and Mongolian Culture

   After breakfast, head to the city center to start your today's Hohhot city tour at the Inner Mongolia Museum. The museum's exhibition hall building is chic and very ethnic. The roof of the building is shaped with a horse running, symbolizing the auspiciousness of Inner Mongolia and soaring.

   The museum has four floors. On the second floor, you can learn about the ecological environment of Inner Mongolia in ancient times. The huge fossilized skeletons of some prehistoric animals will surely take your breath away. The display on the third floor is the highlight of the whole museum. You can see the only Xiongnu gold crown jewelry in China. On the fourth floor of the museum, you can get a clear picture of Mongolian costumes, songs and dances, and saddle culture.

   

   Afterwards, you will be guided to visit Zhaojun Tomb, also known as Qingzhong. The tomb is shaped in the form of a dipper and is about 33 meters high, making it one of the better-preserved large Han tombs in China. Your knowledgeable tour guide will explain her story. Learn about her important role in promoting peace and cultural exchanges between the Han and Mongolian tribes.

   Your 4-day Hohhot tour ends here. Your driver will then escort you to the airport / train station to continue your journey to your next destination. Have a safe trip and hope to see you again!

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: N/A