Inner Mongolia
Inner Mongolia is a vast region in the northern part of China, sharing a common border with Russia and the Republic of Mongolia. The Inner Mongolia (Nei Menggu) Autonomous Region was achieved the status on 1947, it is the first autonomous ethnic region in China. It covers an area of 1.18 million sq km inhabited by 23.86 million people, with various ethnic groups including the Han, Mongolian, Daur, Ewenki, Hui, Manchu, Korean and Oreqen. The Han ethnic group is the major population, about 78% of them, followed by Mongolian about 18%, and 4% of other minorities people.
The east of Inner Mongolia consists of wide grass meadow lands, forests and mountains. The west of the region is made up of scorching hot dry deserts. Inner Mongolia has extreme weather. There is a dramatic difference in temperature between day and night. It is necessary to take some warm clothing or rent them on the spot when you travel on the grassland. It is also one of the driest regions in China. You are kindly reminded to bring hydrated and take moisturizing lotion to protect your skin.
Inner Mongolia offer the most tranquil landscapes in the whole country, with its large grassland and unique cultures. Many of Mongolian today still live the way their forefathers did, following herds of sheep, cattle, goats and camels; and using tents as home which is called as yurts. The capital of Inner Mongolia is Hohhot, where are many tourist attraction surrounding the city.
Inner Mongolia offers various attractive activities such as Mongolian wrestling, rodeo competitions, camel and horse riding, archery, Mongolian singing and dancing performance, or visiting traditional families. The best time to enjoy and feel the Inner Mongolian atmosphere is during the Nadam Festival, the most popular entertainment event in Inner Mongolia.
Nature Scenic Destinations
Xilamuren Grassland which mean Yellow River in Mongolian, is situated 100 kilometers north of Hohhot, and the earliest grassland tourist destination opened in Inner Mongolia. Xilamuren Grassland nature beauty is marked by its rolling hills, covered by green grass and fresh flowers every summer and autumn.
Gegentala Grassland which mean "summer resort" in Mongolian, is located 145 kilometers north of Hohhot, the Inner Mongolian Capital. Gegentala Grassland consists of wonderful steppe scenery including vast prairie landscape, unique local culture and Mongolian traditional lifestyle.
Huitengxile Grassland 135 kilometres east of Hohhot
Bashang Grassland On the regions southern border near to Beijing
Kubuqi Desert - South of the Yellow river near to Baotou
Tengger Desert bordering with Ningxia Province
Badain Jaran Desert Western Inner Mongolia and extending into neighboring Ningxia and Gansu Province
Hexigten National Geopark - This is a UNESCO designated Geopark. It contains eight scenic areas: Arshihaty granite forest area, Qingshan granite mortar area, Dali Nur volcanic land form area, Huanggangliang Quaternary glacial vestige area, Reshuitang thermal spring area, Pingdingshan scenic Quaternary cirque group area, Xilamulun River valley area and Hunshandak sand land area. The geopark covers an area of 1750 km2.
Alxa Desert National Geopark - In Alashan League, western part of Inner Mongolia
Arxan National Geopark - South west of the Greater Hinggan Mountains in Xiang'an League
Historical Destinations
Mausoleum of Genghis Khan was built in 1954 in Erdos City, Inner Mongolia, about 185 km (around 115 miles) from Baotou City. Famous as world conqueror, Genghis Khan's Empire territory stretch from Pacific Ocean to the Black Sea which count half of the world.
Wudangzhao Monastery is situated 70 km northeast of Baotou, this 260 years old monastery is the largest Lamasery in Inner Mongolia. Built in 1749 during early period of Qing Dynasty, this Yellow Hat Sect (Gelukpa) Buddhist monastery was once home to 1,200 monks and the remains of Living Buddhas are stored at the monastery.
Tomb of Wang Zhaojun is located on northern bank of Dahei River, nine kilometers from Hohhot the Inner Mongolia capital. It was built to commemorate a historical woman named Wang Zhaojun, who sacrificed herself in exchange for peace and political alliance.
Wanbu Huayanjin Pagoda, also called White Pagoda in Hohhot
Dazhao Temple in Hohhot
Xiaozhao Temple (also called Chongfu temple) in Hohhot
Inner Mongolia Museum - The museum has over 44,000 items and is particularly noted for it's dinosaur collection. In Hohhot
Five Pagoda Temple in Hohhot. The tallest of its five pagodas is 6.26 meters and all are made of glazed bricks carved with Buddhist symbols and inscribed in three languages: Mongolian, Sanskrit, and Tibetan. Inside stands what is said to be China's oldest star map (actually in Mongolian), carved in stone.
The Great Mosque in Hohhot. Hohhot has a large population of Chinese Muslims. Their Great Mosque was built in the 17th century. Like all late mosques built in China, it has no minaret. In imperial times, there was an order for minarets to be replaced by pavilions, in which were placed inscriptions reminding the Muslims of their loyalty to the emperor.
Culture and Unique Tour
Nadam Festival. This festival was originated to celebrate harvest during which time Mongolian people gather to compete in their traditional sports such as wrestling, horse racing, and archery.
Mongolian Horse School-Mongolian people are the "People on the Horses' Backs". A trip to Mongolia would not be complete without a trip to the Horse Rodeo School to observe this form of art.
Mongolian Art Performing School- Mongolian people are famous for their artistic talent. They are great singers and dancers. The Mongolian Art Performing School is a great place to sample its long history and legacy.
Yurt Trip - Mongolian yurts or tents are made of compressed sheep's wool with no windows. During summer, visitors can take trips in the beautiful sparsely settled grasslands in these charming yet smelly yurts. Live like Mongolian's nomadic ancestors and be closer to nature than you can image -- you basically sleep on the ground.
If you are tough enough you can participate in killing the sheep for dinner. For more weak-stomached, milking cows might be a better way to have a taste of daily Mongolian life.
The food will be barely edible as Mongolian diet consists mainly of meat and milk products. The bugs, especially mosquitos, will constantly bother you. But the endless grassland and the warm-hearted Mongolian people will make up for the discomfort. This will be an experience of your life.