Hohhot Attractions - Things to Do

 Dazhao Temple
 Gegentala Grassland
 Xilamuren Grassland
 
 

A lama in Dazhao Temple

A famous historical and cultural city along the north boundary, Hohhot is home to more than 50 temples. Also, as a pearl of grassland, the natural surrounding of the city is particularly amazing.
 
 Dazhao Temple - Dazhao Temple is in the old city of Hohhot. This is the earliest temple in Hohhot with a history of over 400 years. The temple is entirely patterned after Chinese temples except for the main hall, which is patterned after a Tibetan Lama temple. In the middle of the Buddha hall sits a silver Buddha statute, which provides Dazhao Temple with its alternative name of Silver Buddha Temple.
 
 Gegentala Grassland - Gegentala Grassland is 145 kilometers (90miles) from Hohhot. Gegentala Grassland means summer camp or a resort from the heat in Mongolian. The travel resort is near where princes used to live. The Hohhot-Xilinhaote provincial special line reaches Gegentala directly in 3.5 hours. Tourists can enjoy the beautiful scenery of grassland, the hospitality of herdsmen and the experience of camel riding, horse racing, archery, wrestling, etc. As a 4A class tourism spot, Gegentala Grassland tourism center has been well developed with accommodation gers, restaurants and entertainment centers.
 
 Xilamuren Grassland - Xilamuren Grassland is a typical altiplano prairie, with exuberant grass and vigorous wildflowers in summer and autumn. Situated 100 kilometers (62miles) from Hohhot, the grassland is also known as Zhaohe because of its Lama Temple-Puhui Temple. Behind Puhui Temple flows Xilamuren River, yellow river in Mongolian. Tourists can go across the bridge to Abinlebao Hill to admire the boundless prairie.
 

Aobao

Zhaojun Museum

Aobao, a stone pile, was originally a land mark in the boundless grassland. As the grassland was far away from mountains, people gradually began to regard aobao as a mountain where they could worship gods. Such worship ceremonies can last several days and are also used as an opportunity for young people to date. The famous folk song Date at aobao may be a product of this custom. It is also said that if you pick up a stone and walk around aobao three times in a clockwise direction, make a wish, and then put the stone back at aobao, your wish will be fulfilled.

 Zhaojun Museum
 Five-Pagoda Temple
 Ten Thousand Huayan Scriptures Pagoda
 Xilituzhao Palace

Five Pagoda Temple

 

Zhaojun Museum is one of the eight major sights in Hohhot. It is located near Hei He River, 9km (5.59 miles) from Hohhot. Zhaojun was one of the four ancient belles. She was married to the King of Hun by the Han Emperor for political reasons. Zhaojun Tomb in the museum is also known as Green Tomb since story has it that every autumn the grass on the tomb remains lush while all the rest dies with the season. The scenery surrounding the tomb varies from morning to evening, adding a touch of mystery to its beauty. 

For those interested in history, the Inner Mongolia Museum would be a good place to visit. Located at East Xinhua Street, this museum covers an area of 5, 000 square meters (53, 821 square feet). The collection here has distinctive ethnic and local features. Cultural relics of Hun, Donghu, Wuhuan, Xianbei, Turki, Qidan, Nvzhen, Dangxiang and Mongolian nationalities have a large share in the total collection. Rare treasures include crown decorations of Hun kings, headgear of Xianbei, etc.
 
Wanbu Huayanjing Pagoda , Five-Pagoda Temple known as Wuta Si or JingangZuo Sheli Baota and Xilituzhao Palace the largest Lama temple in Hohhot are also among the most popular Buddhism resorts in that city.