Hohhot呼和浩特

Overview

Hohhot means 'Blue City' in Mongolian, serving as Inner Mongolia's political, economic and cultural center. Dazhao Temple glitters with gold as an important Gelugpa Tibetan Buddhist monastery; Inner Mongolia Museum showcases grassland civilization's history. Sai Shang Lao Jie in the old city preserves Ming-Qing architecture, while the new district boasts modern skyscrapers and bustling commerce. China's dairy capital hosts Yili and Mengniu headquarters. Summer grassland tours and Nadam Festivals attract numerous visitors.

Key Facts

Top Attractions

Dazhao Temple

Hohhot's earliest Tibetan Buddhist temple, housing a silver Buddha with exquisite murals, a sacred site of Mongolian religious faith

Inner Mongolia Museum

National first-class museum showcasing Inner Mongolia's natural and cultural history from ancient to modern times, dinosaur fossils and Mongolian artifacts

Xilitu Zhao Temple

Meaning 'Chief Temple' in Mongolian, a Qing dynasty Living Buddha's seat blending Han and Tibetan architecture, with magnificent white stupa and golden roof

Xilamuren Grassland

Nearest grassland to Hohhot, offering horseback riding, archery, yurt stays and wrestling performances on the vast prairie

Great Mosque of Hohhot

Hohhot's oldest mosque blending Chinese palace-style and Arabic architecture, witnessing multicultural fusion

Food & Snacks

Shaomai (Steamed Pork Dumplings)

Hohhot's classic breakfast, thin-skinned mutton shaomai, eight per steamer, translucent and juicy, served with vinegar-garlic and brick tea

Hand-Grabbed Mutton

Fresh mutton boiled in clear water, dipped in garlic-vinegar sauce, tender and authentic, the most iconic Mongolian traditional dish

Beizi (Baked Bread)

Hohhot specialty bread similar to layered flatbread, crispy outside and soft inside, great with meat or veggies, locals' breakfast favorite

Mongolian Milk Tea

Savory brick-tea milk tea is essential for Mongolian hospitality, rich and mellow, paired with roasted millet and milk skin

Festivals & Events

World & Intangible Heritage

• Mongolian Long Song (2005) — Mongolia's most representative vocal art, featuring long open melodies praising the grassland, horses and love
• Erren Tai (Two-Person Folk Opera) (2006) — Popular folk opera in central-western Inner Mongolia, performed by a male and female pair, with lively and upbeat tunes loved by locals

Practical Tips