Hohhot (Chinese: 呼和浩特 Hūhéhàotè; Mongolian: ᠬᠥᠬᠡᠬᠣᠲᠠ Höh hot) is the capital of Inner Mongolia and serves as the region's administrative, economic, and cultural capital.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
Hohhot is a combination of two Mongolian words: Hoh ('blue') and Hot ('city'). Thus, Hohhot means "blue city". Hohhot has only been the capital of Inner Mongolia since 1947 but is rapidly growing and challenging Baotou as the region's industrial and economic powerhouse. Although only around 11% of the city's population are indigenous Mongols, Mongolian Buddhism (an offshoot of Tibetan Buddhism) continues to thrive and Mongolian culture is actively preserved. As a new capital, the city lacks an abundance of historical and tourist sites. However, it is still definitely worth visiting if in the area.
Hohhot Metro has two lines. Line 1 runs from east to west between Hohhot Baita Airport in Saihan District & Yili Health Valley in Tumed Left Banner. Line 2 runs from north to south and connect with Line 1 at Xinhua Square Station. Hohhot and Hohhot East railway stations are both connected to the metro but Hohhot East is more seamlessly integrated. Signs and announcements in the Metro are trilingual in Mandarin, Mongolian and English. In 2024, the addition of the No. 2 subway line goes through the entire city and is also very convenient. Taxis start at ¥8 during the day (¥8.5 at night?) and are highly available throughout the day.
1 Da Zhao Temple (大召寺; Dàzhāosì) (a lot of buses from almost everywhere go here). The oldest Buddhist monastery in the city constructed in 1579. A 2.5-meter silver statue of Sakyamuni Buddha is among the temples most precious treasures. ¥30. Xilitu Zhao (席力图召; Xílìtúzhào), 112 Danan Street, Yuquan District (opposite Da Zhao). The largest Buddhist temple in the city and main seat of Buddhism in Inner Mongolia. ¥30. 2 Inner Mongolia Museum (内蒙古博物院; Nèiměnggǔ Bówùyuàn) (take bus 3 from Xinhua Square, various other buses from elsewhere in town also go there).
Dazhao Temple Festivals. Songjing Da Fahui (8th-15th of the 1st and 6th lunar months), Songbalin (14th day of the 1st and 6th lunar months), Liang Dafo (15th day of the 1st and 6th lunar months), and Mani Hui (14th-17th day of eighth lunar month). Get to the mountains (take bus 54 north until it ends at the edge of town; this bus can be easily caught along the north side of Xinhua Square heading west). The Great Wall. Wind Turbines. People's Park, Zhongshan west road. You can drive a pedal boat (¥50/¥60 for 2/4 people) on one of the lakes, ride a giant wheel or just walk around in this very nice park. Parts are like an amusement park, other parts just like a normal park.
Those looking for halal food will find it in restaurants with green or yellow signs, most of which are halal. To be sure, look for the Arabic word حلال on the sign. Bei Guo Zhi Chun (The Garden Restaurant). A greenhouse/warehouse turned into a massive eatery where plants are abundant as well as water features, indoor yurts, and private space. Great for parties or intimate dinners. The menu is very comprehensive. Tea is not free but is delicious. Wait staff is friendly and places orders via wireless PDAs so it may seem they are pushy. High.
There are local speciality drinks and well-known milk brands such as Yili and Mengniu. Milk Tea Inner Mongolian milk tea is one of the most iconic beverages of Hohhot and the entire region. Unlike regular sweet milk tea, this tea is usually salty. It is made by boiling brick tea (usually black tea) with milk and salt, and in some areas, ingredients like fried rice or butter are added. Milk tea is not only a daily drink but also a common offering when hosting guests, symbolizing the warm hospitality of the nomadic people. Kumis (Fermented Mare's Milk) Kumis is a low-alcohol beverage made from fermented mare’s milk. It has a slightly sour and sweet taste with a hint of alcohol.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
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In Jul, Hohhot typically sees ~27°C daytime highs and 15 rainy days.
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