11/10/2022
07:53
Hohhot Travel Guide
Hohhot is the capital city of Inner Mongolia, located in northern China. It has a population of approximately 3.5 million and covers an area of 17,224 square kilometers. Hohhot is an important cultural, economic, and political center of the region, with a rich history dating back to the Jin Dynasty (1115-1234).
The city is home to many historical and cultural sites, including the Dazhao Temple, Xilitu Zhao Temple, and Zhaojun Tomb. Hohhot is also known for its unique cuisine, which combines Mongolian and Chinese flavors and is a major producer of dairy products.
Hohhot is well-connected to other parts of Inner Mongolia and China through its airport, railway stations, and bus services, and is a gateway to many of Inner Mongolia’s natural and cultural attractions.
Chinese: 呼和浩特
Location: Central Inner Mongolia, The capital city of Inner Mongolia
Population (urban area): 3,551,000
Why Visit Hohhot?
Rich historic and cultural relics:
Hohhot offers many attractions for visitors to explore. With more than 50 temples, mosques, pagodas, and museums, the city showcases the diverse heritage of the Mongols, Tibetans, Muslims, and Han Chinese. Visitors can admire the historical and cultural relics scattered throughout the city.
Nomadic culture and lifestyle of the Mongols
For those interested in experiencing the nomadic culture and lifestyle of the Mongols, Hohhot is a gateway to nearby grasslands, including Xilamuren Grassland and Huitengxile Grassland, where visitors can stay in a yurt, taste Mongolian cuisine, watch horse racing, and wrestling shows, and join the Naadam Festival.
Natural beauty and biodiversity
Hohhot is also surrounded by mountains, forests, lakes, and deserts that offer stunning scenery, diverse wildlife, and national parks and nature reserves to visit, such as Daqing Mountain National Forest Park and Hohhot National Wetland Park.
Try local cuisine and specialty products
Additionally, visitors can indulge in Hohhot’s famous dairy products, roasted lamb, hand-pulled noodles, oatmeal pancakes, and Mongolian hot pot, and buy souvenirs such as Mongolian knives, silverware, carpets, cashmere, and paintings.
Top Attractions in Hohhot
Top Things to Do in Hohhot
Visit the Dazhao Temple:
This is the oldest and largest Tibetan Buddhist temple in Hohhot, and is home to many precious cultural relics, including a statue of Sakyamuni Buddha made of sandalwood.
Experience Nomadic Culture:
Hohhot is a gateway to the grasslands, such as Xilamuren Grassland and Huitengxile Grassland, where visitors can stay in a yurt, taste Mongolian cuisine, watch horse racing and wrestling shows, and join the Naadam Festival.
Explore the Inner Mongolia Museum:
This museum showcases the history, culture, and natural environment of Inner Mongolia through a vast collection of artifacts, exhibitions, and interactive displays.
Enjoy the Natural Scenery:
Hohhot is surrounded by mountains, forests, lakes, and deserts that offer stunning scenery and diverse wildlife. Visitors can also visit national parks and nature reserves such as Daqing Mountain National Forest Park and Hohhot National Wetland Park.
Sample Local Cuisine:
Hohhot is famous for its dairy products, such as milk tea, cheese, yogurt, and kumis (fermented mare’s milk), as well as its roasted lamb, hand-pulled noodles, oatmeal pancakes, and Mongolian hot pot.
Read more about Top Things to Do in and around Hohhot
Hohhot Weather
Hohhot has a continental climate with four distinct seasons. The summers are warm and humid, with temperatures averaging around 25°C to 30°C (77°F to 86°F), while the winters are cold and dry, with temperatures averaging around -10°C to -20°C (14°F to -4°F). The spring and autumn seasons are short and typically mild.
The best time to visit Hohhot is from July to September when the weather is comfortable and the grasslands are green. During this time, temperatures are usually around 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F), and rainfall is relatively low. This is also the peak season for tourism, so visitors should be prepared for crowds and higher prices.
If you prefer to avoid the crowds, you can also visit Hohhot in the shoulder seasons of late spring (April to June) or early autumn (September to October). During these times, the weather is mild, and the scenery is beautiful, but there may be occasional sandstorms.
Hohhot Transportation
How to Get to Hohhot
By Air: Hohhot Baita International Airport is located about 14 kilometers (8.7 miles) east of the city center. The airport has direct flights to many major domestic cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Xi’an, Chengdu, and Kunming, as well as some international destinations. From the airport, visitors can take a taxi, airport shuttle bus, or city bus to reach their destination.
By Train: Hohhot is connected to the national railway network, with several daily trains running to and from major cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an, Chengdu, and Guangzhou. The Hohhot Railway Station is located in the city center and has convenient connections to local transportation.
By Bus: Visitors can also reach Hohhot by long-distance bus from other cities in Inner Mongolia and neighboring provinces. The city has several bus stations, including the Hohhot Long-Distance Bus Station and the Hohhot East Long-Distance Bus Station.
Buses: Hohhot has an extensive bus network that covers most areas of the city. Visitors can purchase bus tickets from the driver or at the bus station, and fares are generally affordable. However, buses can be crowded during peak hours, and the schedules may not be very reliable.
Taxis: Taxis are widely available in Hohhot, and visitors can easily flag them down on the street or book them through a mobile app. Taxis in Hohhot are relatively inexpensive, and visitors should make sure to negotiate the fare before getting in. It is also helpful to have the destination address written in Chinese characters to show the driver.
Subway: Hohhot has a modern subway system that connects several major areas of the city. The subway is clean, efficient, and affordable, with fares starting at just a few yuan. However, the subway network is relatively new and currently has only two lines, so it may not be very convenient for all destinations.
Bicycle: Visitors can also rent bicycles to explore the city at their own pace. Hohhot has several bike rental stations throughout the city, and visitors can use mobile apps to unlock and pay for the bikes. Cycling is a great way to see the city and enjoy the local scenery.
Walking: Finally, walking is also a great way to explore Hohhot, especially in the downtown area. Many of the top attractions, such as the Dazhao Temple and the Inner Mongolia Museum, are within walking distance of each other, and visitors can enjoy the local street food and shopping along the way.
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