A Must-Visit 8 Days 7 Nights Travel Guide to Inner Mongolia – Recommended Attractions

If you’re heading to Inner Mongolia for the vast grasslands, the best time to visit is from mid-July to mid-August (too early and the grass hasn’t grown, too late and the grass turns yellow). Since the prime travel season is short, some attractions can get very crowded. Here, I share my experience of a trip to Inner Mongolia that was free of pitfalls and full of fun~ [RoundNails]Itinerary: Departing from Zhuhai to Hohhot, visiting places including Xiangshawan in Ordos, Huanghuagou and Wulan Hada Volcano in Ulanqab, plus attractions within Hohhot city. The 8-day 7-night trip includes a full 6 and a half days of pure leisure time, with plenty of fun and delicious food! Day 1: Zhuhai – Hohhot Day 2: Hohhot – Xiangshawan (join a one-day tour) Day 3: Hohhot – Wulan Hada Volcano (stay at a camping base) Day 4: Huanghuagou (stay in a Mongolian yurt) Day 5: Hongshiya Highland Grassland – Hohhot Day 6: Chilechuan Grassland (artificial grassland) – Naobao Village – Wang Zhaojun Museum Day 7: Inner Mongolia Museum (advance reservation required) – Kuangxiangzi – Dazhao Temple – Saishang Old Street Day 8: Shaomai Street – Zhuhai ➡️❣️Exciting and Fun Desert Tour at Xiangshawan 🚌Transportation: The drive from Hohhot to Xiangshawan takes about 2.5 hours. You can self-drive or join a local package tour. We chose to join a tour for convenience and cost savings. The bus picks up and drops off at fixed points, and you can choose packages or add activities based on your preferences. Departure is at 7 AM, returning at 5:30 PM, with 6 to 7 hours of playtime. [Pushpin]Tour Guide: Xiangshawan is mainly divided into Xiansha Island and Yuesha Island. Xiansha Island features motorized amusement rides, while Yuesha Island focuses on water activities. ✔️We visited Xiangshawan during peak season, so it was crowded and every activity had lines, especially camel riding which had the longest wait. So after getting off the bus, don’t rush to take photos; first, get in line for camel riding. Ten minutes of waiting early can save you over half an hour later. ✔️Xiansha Island has a large rest plaza with free seating and reasonably priced food and drinks. You can also bring your own food and rest here. ➡️❣️Mysterious Adventure at Wulan Hada Volcano Wulan Hada Volcano Geological Park is located in Ulanqab City, featuring over 30 volcanoes and known as a natural “volcano museum.” You can explore this mysterious and stunning geological wonder by self-driving or taking the park’s shuttle bus. Tour Guide: ✔️Main volcanoes to visit: Volcano No. 8 (South Peak) and Volcano No. 7 (North Peak): You can collect agate stones here. Volcano No. 6 (South Refining Furnace): The birthplace of large Mars-like landscapes, with completely black mountains, the world’s largest bare volcano, full of “Mars vibes,” and a popular spot for visitors to take photos in astronaut suits. Volcano No. 5 (Central Refining Furnace): The most magnificent and well-preserved volcano, featured on the cover of China National Geography magazine in 2015, with a clear volcanic cone outline. Volcano No. 3 (North Refining Furnace): The only volcano with a boardwalk to the summit, with well-developed facilities. You can easily hike up the boardwalk and overlook the bowl-shaped crater. ✔️Transportation: Each volcano has designated parking and drop-off points, making it convenient whether you self-drive or take the park shuttle bus. The park has two visitor centers, north and south, both offering shuttle bus services. You can choose which volcano to get off at based on your route. The full tour route is very long, so pay attention to your time and the last bus schedule. ✔️Preparation: Weather changes quickly in the volcano area, and temperatures are relatively low. Be sure to bring a jacket, sun protection, and rain gear. During peak season, traffic jams inside the park are common, so bring snacks and water. ✔️Post-trip notes: After lunch, we took the shuttle bus planning to visit volcanoes 5, 6, 7, and 8. However, heavy rain and traffic jams on the most scenic road segment meant we only had time to visit volcano No. 6. Fortunately, the weather cleared upon arrival, allowing us to enjoy a breathtaking volcanic sunset. ➡️❣️Step into a Fairy Tale World at Huanghuagou Huanghuagou is a national 4A-level tourist attraction located in Chahar Right Middle Banner, Ulanqab City, Inner Mongolia. At an average altitude of 2100 meters and an annual maximum average temperature below 18°C, it covers 660 square kilometers. It is one of China’s unique maar-type volcanic geological landscapes combined with vast grasslands, and one of the world’s three major alpine meadow grasslands. The blooming period of the yellow flowers is short but does not affect the natural scenery here. The endless grasslands under the blue sky and white clouds feel like stepping into a fairy tale world—so beautiful and dreamy. ✔️Tour Guide: We purchased a 295 RMB per person all-transport ticket, which includes the popular small train, aerial sightseeing cableway, sightseeing car, animal-drawn carriage, and shuttle bus. Starting from the North Visitor Center, walk to the cable car station, then take the animal-drawn carriage, shuttle bus, and sightseeing car. Finally, ride the popular small train. The full 16-kilometer route takes at least 2 to 3 hours one way, so it’s not recommended to backtrack. There is a free shuttle bus between the North and South Visitor Centers, so no need to walk back inside the park. Signage is clear, or you can ask staff for help. ➡️❣️High-Altitude Grassland at Hongshiya Hongshiya National Park is about a two-hour drive from Hohhot and is a self-driving friendly destination. Here you can see endless mountain ranges, vast high-altitude grasslands, freely roaming sheep, cattle, horses, and camels, and if lucky, yaks. There are no specific photo spots; you can stop anywhere, and every view is beautiful, letting you truly feel the freedom of nature. Hongshiya is also the most famous local sunset viewing spot. You can depart from Hohhot in the afternoon, enjoy the park, and watch the sunset. ➡️❣️Delicious Food, Drinks, and Fun in Hohhot City Walk Chilechuan Grassland (artificial grassland), Naobao Village, and Wang Zhaojun Museum are outside Hohhot city center, about an hour’s drive. If you have a short stay in Hohhot and want to experience the grassland scenery, Chilechuan Grassland is a good choice. Nearby Naobao Village is quite unique, known as the wealthiest village in Hohhot, with a park and playground, making it great for families with children. [Pushpin]The main attractions in Hohhot city center are concentrated (Baoerhan Pagoda, Guanyin Temple, Wuta Temple, Xilitu Zhao, Dazhao Temple, Saishang Old Street, etc.), and one day is basically enough to explore them all. The Dazhao Temple and Saishang Old Street are very crowded and lively at night. [Pushpin]The new Inner Mongolia Museum is worth a visit, but remember to book in advance to avoid being turned away.