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Hohhot (呼和浩特; Hūhéhàotè) is the capital of Inner Mongolia, and part of a metropolitan area with a population of around 2.5 million.

[edit] Understand

Although Hohhot has only been the capital of Inner Mongolia since 1947, it has taken on the role with ease and with a rapidly growing population (currently at around 1.6 million) it has begun to challenge Baotou as the region's industrial and economic powerhouse. Despite the fact that only around 11% of the city's population are indigenous Mongols, Mongolian Buddhism (an offshoot of Tibetan Buddhism) continues to thrive and Mongolian culture is actively preserved. As a new capital, the city lacks an abundance of historical and tourist sites. However, it is still definitely worth visiting if in the area. The city is at its greenest and most pleasant in Spring and early Summer.

Because of the large Hui Muslim population, restaurants with a green or yellow sign are generally Halal and will not serve pork. Mentioning pork to the owner is considered a grave insult and should be avoided. Take the opportunity to sample the mutton dishes instead.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

Hohhot Baita International Airport (IATA: HET) is Inner Mongolia's main airport. Located one hour outside of Hohhot, regular flights are available to Beijing, Chifeng, Guangzhou, Hailar, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Shijiazhuang, Wuhan, Xian, and Xilinhot.

International flight are available to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

[edit] By train

Hohhot is connected to the following cities by rail: Baotou (2 hrs), Beijing (11 hrs), Datong (5 hrs), Erenhot (11 hrs), Yinchuan (10 hrs), Moscow and Ulaanbaatar.

The Beijing to Hohhot overnight train is K89. K89 departs at 21:00 and arrives at 07:20. The K90 from Hohhot to Beijing departs at 21:23 and arrives at 07:20 (cost is ~$24USD for a hard sleeper).

Trains 4652 and 4653 run between Hohhot and Erlian. The train leaving from Hohhot departs at 22:00 and arrives at 06:08 (cost is between ~$11USD for a hard sleeper).

[edit] By bus

The long distance bus station is located next to main train station.

There are regular bus services to the following cities: Baotou (2 hrs), Beijing (8-11 hrs), Datong (4 hrs), and Dongsheng (3 hours).

[edit] Get around

[edit] By taxi

Taxis start at ¥6 during the day (¥7.50 at night?) and are highly available throughout the day. Taxis become more difficult to flag 2-3PM as people go back to work as well as during early evening, or with foul weather.

[edit] By bus

Busses run until 8:30PM during the winter. English schedules are difficult to find.

[edit] By bicycle

Bicycles are by far the most convenient and common in the city. Be careful with the new/foreign traffic patterns. Left turns occur after straight traffic, typically bicycles turn left from the bicycle lane with auto traffic through intersections. Following local traffic is often the safest way to ride and will orient you to traffic patterns, customs, and flow. During peak hours, traffic police will dictate crossing times. Parking your bicycle is easy and convenient in the 'corral' spaces. Attendants will issue you and your bicycle matching 'sticks' and your bicycle will be generally safe while you shop or go to work. Rates are ¥0.5-2/day. Hours may vary.

[edit] By foot

Depending on construction levels, walking the city is very easy and common and is perhaps the best way to interact with locals. During peak hours, traffic police will dictate crossing times. Theft and molestation is generally not high in the city, however prudence should always be practiced. As a city spectacle, a smile will often turn obvious bewilderment of the passing people into delight. Try it out! ¥0.5-1 is a reasonable amount to offer beggars and the homeless, as well as empty plastic bottles.

[edit][add listing] See

• Dazhao Temple (大召寺; Dàzhāosì). The oldest Buddhist monastery in the city constructed in 1579. A 2.5 meter silver statue of Sakyamuni Buddha is among the temples most precious treasures.  edit

• Inner Mongolia Museum (内蒙古博物馆; Nèiměnggǔ Bówùguǎn). Exhibitions of the flora and fauna and history of Inner Mongolian, including minerals and mining, space exploration, and dinosaurs. Free.  edit

• Temple of the Five Pagodas (五榕寺; Wǔróngsì). An Indian style temple constructed in 1732. Famous for its frescos of 1,500 carved figures of Buddha.  edit

• The Great Mosque. The oldest and largest mosque in the city built in 1693.  edit

• Tomb of Princess Zhaojun (昭君墓; Zhāojūnmù), (Take bus No. 6 from the muslim quarter and switch to bus No. 44 that will take you there). The resting place of Han princess who voluntarily married a nomad chief to secure peace. She is attributed with the ability to perform miracles. ¥1.  edit

• Xilitu Zhao (席力图召; Xílìtúzhào), 112 Danan Street, Yuquan District. The largest Buddhist temple in the city and main seat of Buddhism in Inner Mongolia.  edit

[edit][add listing] Do

• Dazhao Temple Festivals. Songjing Da Fahui (8th-15th of the 1st and 6th lunar months), Songbalin (14th day of the 1st and 6th lunar months), Liang Dafo (15th day of the 1st and 6th lunar months), and Mani Hui (14th-17th day of eighth lunar month).  edit

• Get to the mountains, (Take bus 54 north until it ends at the edge of town. This bus can be easily caught along the north side of Xinhua Square heading west).  edit

• Great Wall.  edit

• Wind Turbines.  edit

[edit][add listing] Buy

[edit][add listing] Eat

• Bei Guo Zhi Chun (The Garden Restaurant). A greenhouse/warehouse turned into a massive eatery where plants are abundant as well as water features, indoor yurts, and private space. Great for parties or intimate dinners. The menu is very comprehensive. Tea is not free but is delicious. Wait staff is friendly and places orders via wireless PDAs so it may seem they are pushy. High.  edit

• Zang Can Bar (Tibet Food Bar), (In the heart of the city, east side of Xinhua Square, look down the alley way south of the hotel, it is on the north side). A small Tibetan restaurant. Great food, atmosphere & jewelry. Private room can sit a dozen people. High.  edit

• Xi Bei, (At the new stadium to the north of the city). The menu is very comprehensive. Tea is not free. The menu is in Chinese and English and meals are delivered via roller skate. Maybe some day they'll re-label the noodle appetizer currently called "Panda-crusted noodles." Plenty of private rooms available. Wait staff is friendly and places orders via wireless PDAs so it may seem they are pushy. High.  edit

• Mongolian Food @ the Race Track. Meals served in traditional Mongolian style in your own private yurt. High.  edit

• Fengwei Huoguo, (Just southwest of Xinhua Square, facing north with a large green sign). Seafood hotpot. Busy every night, for good reason. Medium.  edit

• Shiao Hotel, (A large hotel along Zhongshan road, west of Victory shopping plaza, with a multi-colored deck at 22 stories with a large Eiffel Tower like radio tower atop it. Hard to miss.). Buffet closes at 9PM doors close at 9:30PM. Buffet overlooking all of Hohhot that rotates so you get the whole 360. Come early. The buffet is ¥50/person.  edit

[edit][add listing] Drink

[edit][add listing] Sleep

[edit] Budget

• Anda Guesthouse, Qiaokao West Street, Saihan District (赛罕区桥靠西街; Sàihǎnqū Qiáokàoxījiē) (From the train station, take bus 2, 37 or 61, get off at Inner Mongolia Hospital (内蒙古医院)), ☎ +86 471 6918039 (andaguesthouse@hotmail.com), [1]. Self catering kitchens, tea & coffee, light breakfast, train station pick-up, DVDs, internet and hot showers available without surcharge. Dorms ¥60; doubles ¥160.  edit

[edit] Mid range

• Pinnacle Hotel, Zhao Wu Da Road, ☎ +86 471 4316688.  edit

• Yunzhong Hotel Hohhot, 27 West Zhongshan Road, ☎ +86 471 6968822 (fax: +86 471 6962236).  edit

• Binyue Hotel, 52 Zhaowuda Road, Saihan district, ☎ +86 471 6605588 (fax: +86 471 4310808), [2].  edit

[edit] Splurge

• Inner Mongolia Hotel, West Wulanchabu Road, ☎ +86 471 6964233 (fax: +86 471 6961479).  edit

• Inner Mongolia Jin Jiang International Hotel, 119 Hulun South Road, Saihan District, ☎ +86 21 61226688 Ext. 7800, [3]. This five-star hotel in Hohhot brings guests to a new level of luxury, offering almost 1000 rooms with relaxing amenities, event venues and catering services, and recreational facilities. Official website accepts online reservations.  edit

[edit] Get out

• The Grasslands. Mongolia's history is linked to its grasslands. Recommended places near Hohhot are: Xilamuren (80 km north), Huitengxile (120 km west) and Gegentela (150 km north).

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