Holiday in Hohhot

About Hohhot

Hohhot is the capital of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and the gateway to the endless grasslands of the Mongolian steppe. The name means Blue City in Mongolian, named after the blue sky that stretches over the vast landscape. The city uniquely combines Han Chinese and Mongolian culture. The Dazhao Temple complex (Dazhao Si) is the largest and best-preserved Tibetan Buddhist temple in Hohhot, built in 1579 during the Ming Dynasty. The silver Buddha statue inside gave the temple its alternative name Silver Buddha Temple. Nearby stands the Great Mosque, representing the Muslim Hui minority of the city. The grasslands around Hohhot are the heart of the Mongolian experience: Xilamuren and Gegentala, about 2-3 hours north, offer the opportunity to stay in traditional yurts (Ger), experience Mongolian horsemanship, and participate in festivals. The Nadam Festival in July/August is the largest Mongolian folk festival featuring horse racing, wrestling, and archery. The Five Pagodas complex (Wuta Si) from the 18th century is an architectural gem: five pagodas on a common base, adorned with over 1,500 Buddhist reliefs. At the back, there is a rare Mongolian star map carved in stone. The Inner Mongolia Museum showcases the history of nomadic peoples from the Xiongnu to modern Mongolians, featuring impressive dinosaur fossils from the Gobi Desert and traditional Mongolian artifacts.