The Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, bordering to the north with both the Republic of Mongolia and Russia, is the widest province in China (by its latitude). It is the third largest Chinese province (over 1.1 million square kilometers or 424,736 square miles) but not very populated. The province has about 24 million inhabitants.
   Hohhot, the capital of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in northern China, lies between the Yinshan Mountain and the Yellow River. The city zone covers 17,224 square kilometers (6,650.19 square miles) with a population exceeding 1,400,000.The city belongs to a temperate continental and monsoon climate with an annual average temperature of 8℃. The best season to visit Hohhot is July, August and September, when the weather is cool and all the trees are green.

 

Tourism
Dazhao Temple
   Dazhao Temple, 'Wuliang Si (Infinite Temple)' in Chinese, is the oldest building and the largest temple in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia. Locally, people usually refer to it as the Silver Buddha Temple (Yinfo Si) for it is here that there is a rare silver statue of Sakyamuni that measures 2.5-meter-high (8.2-foot-high).
   The construction of the temple was completed in 1580 during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and it is therefore the oldest Lamaist Buddhist temple in Inner Mongolia. There was a major reconstruction in 1640 although much of the original architectural style was retained.
   Dazhao Temple owns its fame to a visit by the third Tibetan Dalai Lama in 1586, when he came to dedicate the Silver Buddha statue. As a consequence Hohhot became a religious center for people from all over Mongolia who came to worship at the temple. Another notable event in the temple's long history was a visit by Emperor Kangxi during the early part of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

Xilamuren Grassland
   Lying about ninety kilometers (about 56 miles) north of Hohhot, Xilamuren Grassland is the first grassland tourist attraction opened in Hohhot. Xilamuren, which means 'yellow water' in Mongolian, is also known as Taihe after Puhui Temple, a Lama temple built in 1769 in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).
   The average temperature in summer season is about 18℃-21℃. The grassland has rolling hills and lush green grass. On the riverside of Xilamuren lies a Lama temple which was built in 1769 in the Qing Dynasty. This Lama temple had been used as a temporary abode for the Six Living Buddha in the Xilizhao Temple to spend summers.

White Pagoda
   White Pagoda, also called Wanbu Huayanjing Pagoda, was originally built in Liao Dynasty and is well kept after 930 years' history. It is a brick-wood structure about 55.5 meters high and looks magnificent. On the front, there is a stone tablet scripting Ten Thousand Volumes of Huayan Scripture, along with exquisite relief of Buddha, Bodhisattva, Warriors and other Buddha figures. Inside the pagoda, you can find many scriptures and tablet inscriptions written in different languages, including Chinese, Mongolian, Tibetan, Nvzhen, Qidan and language of other ethnic groups.
   The White Pagoda is the most exquisite one among all pagodas built in Liao Dynasty, and the best time for a visit will be from June to September.

 

Culture
   The Han Chinese of Inner Mongolia speak a variety of dialects, depending on the region. The eastern parts tend to speak Northeastern Mandarin, which belong to the Mandarin group of dialects; those in the central parts, such as the Huang He valley, speak varieties of Jin, another subdivision of Chinese, due to its proximity to other Jin-speaking areas in China such as the Shanxi province.
   The vast grasslands have always been symbolic of Inner Mongolia. Mongolian art often depicts the grassland in an uplifting fashion, emphasizing on the nomadic traditions of the Mongol people. The Mongols of Inner Mongolia practice many traditional forms of art. Inner Mongolian specialty cuisine, largely derived from the tradition of ethnic Mongols, consists of dairy-related products and hand-held lamb.

 

Food
Shaomai
   Shaomai is a popular local delicacy, and enjoys a long history in Hohhot. As long ago as the Qing Dynasty, it had won a wide popularity in Beijing due to the unique technique of its preparation, the fine raw materials, nice and thin wrappers, delicious fillings and all necessary ingredients and seasonings.

 Roasted whole sheep
   Roasted whole sheep, a traditional and unique dish, used to be a privilege enjoyed only by Mongolian kings due to the special and complicated cooking method. Luckily enough, everyone can taste it now. Roasted whole sheep is famous not only for its quality mutton but also for its special method of preparation. The mutton, filled with various spices, is first heated at high temperatures in an airtight oven until medium-well done. Then the mutton is roasted with fire until it becomes golden. This allows the flavors of the spices to pervade the meat completely. The mutton is then served on a huge plate (its diameter can be 3.28 feet long) and given to guests according to their status. This kind of roasted mutton is crispy but not greasy.

 

Shopping
Mongolian knife
   The blade is made of steel while the handle is made of ox horn and red wood. The Camel-shaped Mongolian knife is particularly worth mentioning. The camel body is made of redwood or birch while the handle is made from ox horn and camel bone. However, before your purchase any knife, consult with your airline as to whether knife is allowed packed in your luggage.
Inner Mongolian carpet
   Inner Mongolian carpet is made of local wool, colored with mineral and plant biased dyes and hand woven. The main categories include natural-colored, archaized, Han Dynasty, and artistic tapestry. In addition, there are various cushions.
   Ancient nomads used ox horn to hold alcohol when they made an alliance. This ox horn is called alliance cup. A pair of ox horns is polished and then cups made of silver or copper are set into the horns. The ends are decorated with a metal flower pattern, silk knots, and fringes.

 

Transportation
Air
   Situated in the northeast of Hohhot, Hohhot Baita Airport is 15 kilometers from downtown.
Nowadays, it has over 40 air routes connecting Hohhot with other major cities in China. In addition, there are international flights to Ulan Bator, Mongolia, and Chita, Russia.
   Tips: Airport shuttles charge CNY 5 per person while Bus No. 12 conveniently connects the airport to the city center. Taxis charge CNY 6 within 2km (1.2 miles) and CNY 1 per km is to be charged hereafter.
City-bus
   Currently, there are about 60 bus lines opened in Hohhot City, which can reach to the city’s every corner. Most of the buses have no conductor, so you are required to prepare CNY1 before getting on the buses. On the other hand, the mini buses with conductors often charge by distance, costing around CNY1.5.
Taxi
   Thousands of taxis provide around-the-clock service at reasonable prices. During daytime, the flag-down rate is CNY6 for the first 2 kilometers (1.24 miles) and CNY1 for per kilometer thereafter. Please note that the taxi of Santana and Fukang charge CNY1.5 for
every additional kilometer.