https://https://au.trip.com/toplist/tripbest/recommend/baotou/best-things-to-do/10073479000000
Best Things to Do
Top 50 Best Things to Do near Baotou [2025]
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Yungang Grottoes
4.8
/5
30925 reviews
8.9
From AU$ 2.15
Based on 996 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8603527992666
Address: No. 1, Yungang Town, Yungang District, Datong City, Shanxi Province
Recommended sightseeing time: 3-4 hours
Highlights:
Stroll through the grottoes and explore Forty Caves
59,000+ stone sculptures inside caves
Saved by 807 users24071 positive reviews
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The Yungang Grottoes, formerly known as the Wuzhou Mountain Grottoes Temple, are a World Cultural Heritage site and a national 5A-level scenic area. Located on the southern slope of Wuzhou (Zhou) Mountain, about 16 kilometers west of Datong City, Shanxi Province, the grottoes cover an area of over 18,000 square meters. Carved during the Northern Wei Dynasty's establishment of its capital in Pingcheng, they are one of my country's three major grottoes. In March 1961, they were designated as one of the first batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units by the State Council. In December 2001, they were approved by UNESCO to be included in the World Cultural Heritage List. In May 2007, they became one of the first batch of national 5A-level tourist attractions.
Yungang Grottoes: Although the scenic area is large, the actual caves only stretch for 1 kilometer from east to west. There's a small screening room just inside the main gate, where an introductory film plays every two minutes (13 minutes total). It's recommended to watch this before visiting the main site. There are 45 main caves, but only the first 20 are truly royal constructions and offer the best views. The later caves were built by local officials and nobles after the capital was moved to Luoyang, and their construction ceased. These smaller caves are incomparable to the first 20.
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Dazhao Temple
4.7
/5
7909 reviews
8.3
From AU$ 7.52
Based on 139 reviews
Dazhao Temple / Saishang old street | >100 km from downtown
Phone +8604716303154
Address: Dazhao Street, Yuquan District, Hohhot City
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
Highlights:
10-yard golden dragon & mural
Grand blessing ceremony on Lantern Festival
Saved by 341 users5081 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Jokhang Temple, the oldest Yellow Sect temple in Hohhot, has a wide-ranging influence in Inner Mongolia.
A renowned tourist destination with excellent value, its magnificent temple architecture, precious cultural relics and artwork, and the mysterious Chamu dance and Buddhist music constitute the Jokhang Temple's "Temple Culture," making it a truly worthwhile experience. The recommended duration of the visit is approximately three hours.
This is a particularly worthwhile attraction in Hohhot. The Jade Buddha made the strongest impression. While the other halls were crowded, standing before the Jade Buddha felt incredibly sacred.
The entire temple exudes the power of faith.
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Whistling Dune Bay
4.3
/5
4775 reviews
8.2
From AU$ 25.76
Based on 81 reviews
Xiangshawan | 45.5 km from downtown
Phone +864008785550
Address: Dalad, Ordos, Inner Mongolia, China
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5-1 day
Highlights:
Breathtaking desert views & panorama
Camel rides in the desert
Saved by 321 users3065 positive reviews
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A day at Xiangshawan was like stepping onto a joyful alien planet!
The fun can be summed up in two words: pure and simple! Walking barefoot into the soft, warm sand was incredibly satisfying. Riding in a giant cable car deep into the desert, your heart and mind expanded along with the expansive view.
The most exhilarating ride was the dune buggy – like a roller coaster, plunging and drifting between dunes, everyone screaming and laughing. Riding camels in a line, listening to the tinkling camel bells, slowly swaying across the boundless sea of sand, felt like stepping onto the Silk Road.
For the adventurous, sandboarding is a must. Swooping down dunes dozens of meters high, the wind whipping past your ears – so thrilling! When you're tired, lie on the sand and watch the clouds; the world is just blue and yellow, so pure it makes you want to sing.
This place isn't just scenery; it's a giant playground. All your worries are blown away by the wind, leaving only a wild and carefree heart!
A day at Xiangshawan was like stepping onto a joyful alien planet!
The fun can be summed up in two words: pure and simple! Walking barefoot into the soft, warm sand was incredibly satisfying. Riding in a giant cable car deep into the desert, your heart and mind expanded along with the expansive view.
The most exhilarating ride was the dune buggy – like a roller coaster, plunging and drifting between dunes, everyone screaming and laughing. Riding camels in a line, listening to the tinkling camel bells, slowly swaying across the boundless sea of sand, felt like stepping onto the Silk Road.
For the adventurous, sandboarding is a must. Swooping down dunes dozens of meters high, the wind whipping past your ears – so thrilling! When you're tired, lie on the sand and watch the clouds; the world is just blue and yellow, so pure it makes you want to sing.
This place isn't just scenery; it's a giant playground. All your worries are blown away by the wind, leaving only a wild and carefree heart!
No.
4
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Huayan Monastery
4.8
/5
10405 reviews
8.1
From AU$ 8.59
Based on 147 reviews
Ancient City Tourist Cultural Area | >100 km from downtown
Phone +8603522042001
Address: No. 459 Xia Sipo Street, Datong City
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
Saved by 167 users8551 positive reviews
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Located in Pingcheng District, Datong City, the Huayan Pagoda was first built in the seventh year of the Chongxi reign of the Liao Dynasty (1038). Named after the Avatamsaka Sutra, it also served as a royal ancestral temple. In 1961, it was listed as one of the first batch of national key cultural relics protection units. A major tourist attraction in Datong, it's worth seeing, including the Huayan Pagoda and the Thousand Buddha Underground Palace. The statues also have unique features.
The murals and sculptures at Huayan Temple are truly exquisite. No one can help but stop and admire them. Wow, the artistic skill of ancient Chinese craftsmen in creating Buddhist statues is perfectly showcased here. It's so beautiful, so perfect.
No.
5
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Wulanhada Volcano Geopark
4.1
/5
781 reviews
7.7
Ulan Hada Volcano Geopark | >100 km from downtown
Phone +8604744811717
Address: Chahar Right Wing Hou Banner, Wulanchabu City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5-1 day
Highlights:
Safe volcano summit & entry
Explore 20+ new volcano relics
Saved by 167 users592 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
We arrived at the volcano on the afternoon of the first day of the National Day holiday. It wasn't crowded. No need to exchange tickets for self-drive vehicles; you can enter directly at the self-drive entrance. There are manual ticket checks and exchange. Each volcano has a parking lot, but the parking order is a bit chaotic. We drove a go-kart for 80 yuan per car (negotiable). It went around the volcano. There was a fireworks show at night, but it was too cold to watch.
My first visit to Ulahada Volcano was high, but upon entering the scenic area, I was somewhat disappointed. The volcano wasn't as majestic as I'd imagined. The most unpleasant experience was the traffic jams. During the National Day holiday, the area was packed with tourists, and the roads were one-way, resulting in frequent traffic jams. Self-driving tourists were constantly cutting in line, ignoring the one-way traffic rules. The management of the scenic area was also quite disorganized, truly no more than a AAA-rated scenic spot. To enhance its influence and service levels, much work needs to be done, such as improving scenic area management and implementing appropriate vehicle flow control measures. Furthermore, I personally feel that the sanitation management of the scenic area needs improvement, with a strong whiff of commercial development. I hope the scenic area management will address these issues and not wait until the tourists have stopped visiting before regretting it. By then, it's too late. Remember this!
No.
6
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Datong Ancient City
4.7
/5
257 reviews
7.3
From AU$ 2.15
Ancient City Tourist Cultural Area | >100 km from downtown
Phone +8603527699269
Address: 山西省大同市平城区御河西路
Recommended sightseeing time: 1 day
Highlights:
Unique blend of ancient & modern
Ancient & modern city vibe
Saved by 172 users235 positive reviews
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Datong Ancient City, located in the central part of Pingcheng District, Datong, Shanxi Province, is one of the best-preserved ancient city walls in China. Covering an area of 3.28 square kilometers, the existing city walls were added by Xu Da in the fifth year of the Hongwu reign of the Ming Dynasty, based on the old city walls of the Northern Wei, Tang, Liao, and Jin dynasties. The ancient city's streets are laid out in a chessboard pattern, and it boasts several cultural relics protection units, including Huayan Temple, Shanhua Temple, and the Nine-Dragon Wall. It is a crossroads of nomadic and agricultural cultures, showcasing the charm of multicultural integration.
Teacher Wang is incredibly knowledgeable, patient, and responsible. Her historical narratives were clear and engaging, and the children were captivated. She thoughtfully allowed us time to take photos and even helped us take group photos. If you're visiting the ancient city to learn about its history and see the Nine Dragon Screen and Upper City Wall, I highly recommend Teacher Wang!
No.
7
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Ordos Prairie
4.5
/5
929 reviews
7.2
From AU$ 21.04
Based on 6 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Phone +86047715547726767
Address: 9 km southwest of Xini Town, Hangjin Banner, Ordos
Recommended sightseeing time: 3-4 hours
Saved by 113 users568 positive reviews
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The grasslands are so beautiful, I didn't want to leave once I arrived. The attractions are so plentiful! The performances were also wonderful. The "Hero" show was especially impressive, and the equestrian performances were amazing. The actors were very dedicated! I highly recommend coming back! The "Wedding" show was very festive and I loved it!
Very beautiful grassland, many projects are well organized, the children had a lot of fun, equestrian performances, flying grassland, the actors are dedicated and have superb acting skills, very exciting, the accommodation in the grassland is clean, the yurt is large and well-equipped, and the service attitude is also very good
No.
8
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Xilitu Zhao Temple
4.7
/5
764 reviews
7.2
From AU$ 5.26
Based on 21 reviews
Dazhao Temple / Saishang old street | >100 km from downtown
Phone +8615949417672
Address: North end of Stone Alley, Yuquan District, Hohhot City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Aegion
Recommended sightseeing time: 1 hour
Highlights:
Ancient architecture & nature views
Vast grounds & grand gate
Saved by 107 users500 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
This Ming Dynasty building, rich in cultural, historical, and verve, lies across from the Jokhang Temple and bordered by Shaomai Street. It embodies a rich tapestry of history and religious heritage. Walking quietly here, one hears the stirrings of history. Emperor Kangxi himself once stayed here temporarily, and the area has witnessed different people and events throughout history. This powerful statement demonstrates that successful cultural tourism must integrate the humanities. It's truly true.
Xilituzhao's architectural style blends traditional Han and Tibetan elements, with a symmetrical layout along a central axis. The various cultural relics preserved within the temple are of great value to the study of the history of Tibetan Buddhism in Hohhot.
No.
9
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Dai Wang Fu
4.5
/5
1705 reviews
7.1
From AU$ 16.75
Ancient City Tourist Cultural Area | >100 km from downtown
Phone +8603522992699
Address: Heyang Street, Pingcheng District, Datong
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
1446 positive reviewsRecently viewed by 1,000+ people
Verified user reviews
It's pretty good. Although the price is not cheap, you can enter twice in two days, which is not bad. The iron flower show in the evening is worth seeing. It starts at 8 o'clock. You need to go early to reserve a seat, otherwise you will be in line at the back and can't see it.
It is convenient to buy tickets and the tickets are issued quickly, but the Daiwang Mansion is newly built, a bit like the Forbidden City, and it is not fully built. There is not much to see inside. When you go there, just take a photo outside and check in.
No.
10
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Shanhua Monastery
4.8
/5
1008 reviews
7.0
Based on 37 reviews
Ancient City Tourist Cultural Area | >100 km from downtown
Phone +8603522411868
Address: No. 6 Nansi Street, Datong City (near Loufang Lane)
Recommended sightseeing time: 1 hour
770 positive reviewsRecently viewed by 1,000+ people
Verified user reviews
Much better than Huayan Temple. The main hall dates back to the Jin Dynasty. The clay sculptures are truly amazing.
The charm of this "Oriental Venus" lingers in my memory.
Huayan Temple is famous, but the experience was poor.
Shanxi's ancient architecture is truly unique. Shanhua Temple is the most complete and largest existing temple building in China from the Liao and Jin dynasties, and is one of the most worthwhile places to visit in the ancient city of Datong.
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