https://https://au.trip.com/toplist/tripbest/recommend/hohhot/best-things-to-do/10071569000000
Best Things to Do
Top 50 Best Things to Do near Hohhot [2025]
Show All Photos
Yungang Grottoes
4.8
/5
31553 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 845 users24624 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
The grottoes are a magnificent collection of sculptures, quite different from those in Dunhuang, Longmen, and Maijishan. There are a few unique hidden gems that require careful listening to the explanations to find. I visited them twice, and it would take a whole day to see them all!
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.
Show All Photos
Yingxian Wooden Pagoda
4.8
/5
16342 reviews
8.4
From AU$ 10.30
Based on 182 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8603495088889
Address: Northwest corner of Yingxian city, Shuozhou city
Recommended sightseeing time: 1–2 hours
Highlights:
11-foot Buddha statue inside
Panoramic views of nature & history
Saved by 150 users15074 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
The Wooden Pagoda is easily accessible by direct bus from downtown Datong. It's a traditional wooden structure built with mortise and tenon joints without nails. Despite its tilted shape, it has stood for a thousand years. The five-story, six-eaved structure, along with its colorful sculptures and murals, tells ancient stories and is truly breathtaking. Although only one floor is currently open to the public, it still evokes a powerful sense of awe and wonder at China's ancient culture.
Today I want to recommend a truly stunning historical and cultural treasure – the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda! This ancient pagoda, with a history spanning over a thousand years, is not only a masterpiece of ancient Chinese architecture but also a shining pearl of World Heritage status. Promise me you'll see its beauty for yourself!
🌟【Product Introduction】 The Yingxian Wooden Pagoda, also known as the Sakyamuni Pagoda, is located in Yingxian County, Shuozhou City, Shanxi Province. It is the tallest and oldest existing pure wooden structure pavilion-style building in the world, and is considered one of the "Three Great Towers of the World," along with the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Eiffel Tower!
🌈【Exterior Design】 The wooden pagoda boasts a majestic and imposing exterior. Its octagonal body has nine stories and stands 67.31 meters tall. Each story is exquisitely carved, exuding a simple yet elegant atmosphere. Upon closer inspection, you'll discover that every detail reveals the craftsmanship of the artisans, as if telling a story of a thousand years of history.
💪【Unveiling the Advantages】
1️⃣ Historical Value: Built in the second year of the Qingning era of the Liao Dynasty (1056 AD), the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda has stood for nearly a thousand years, witnessing the vicissitudes of history.
2️⃣ Architectural Miracle: The pagoda is constructed entirely of wood, without a single iron nail, relying entirely on mortise and tenon joints—a true testament to the wisdom of ancient architecture!
3️⃣ Cultural Heritage: The pagoda enshrines a precious Buddha tooth relic, making it a sacred site for Buddhist pilgrims and an important bridge for cultural exchange.
4️⃣ Tourist Destination: As a national 4A-level tourist attraction, the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda attracts countless domestic and international tourists, making it an excellent place to learn about ancient Chinese architecture and culture.
If you are interested in history and culture, or want to experience the charm of ancient architecture, then the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda is definitely your best choice! Embark on a spontaneous trip and let this ancient pagoda take you through time and space to appreciate the charm of history!
Show All Photos
Xuankong Temple
4.7
/5
10017 reviews
8.4
From AU$ 6.23
Based on 793 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8603528333081
Address: At the foot of Hengshan Mountain in the southeastern suburb of Wuyuan County, Datong City
Recommended sightseeing time: 1–2 hours
Highlights:
Admire Exquisite Wood Carved Murals Along the Plank Road
Cliffside's breathtaking architecture
Saved by 784 users7545 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Reliable platform to book. Everything goes as planned. Highly recommended.
The Hanging Temple, a national AAAA-level tourist attraction, is located on the cliff of Cuiping Peak on the west side of Jinlong Gorge in Hengshan Mountain, Hunyuan County, Shanxi Province. It is known by the local saying, "The Hanging Temple, halfway to heaven, suspended by three horse tails." Built 1400 years ago in the late Northern Wei Dynasty, it is a unique temple in China that integrates Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism, and is the oldest existing wooden structure complex built on a cliff in the world. Originally called "Xuankong Pavilion," it was later renamed "Hanging Temple" because the entire temple appears to hang on the cliff; in Chinese, "hanging" and "mysterious" are homophones.
No.
4
Show All Photos
Whistling Dune Bay
4.3
/5
4808 reviews
8.2
From AU$ 25.75
Based on 81 reviews
Xiangshawan | >100 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 339 users3092 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
This is my second time here, this time with my three-year-old. Since we've never seen such a large beach before, we had a lot of fun.
However, for adults, the other activities are all paid, so the value for money isn't quite right.
Today, Ordos is increasingly green, and it's rare to find such a small patch of desert left for tourists to experience. There are plenty of recreational activities, and the service is generally good. My summer trip was long ago, but the dark clouds and lightning over the desert during the thunderstorms remain vividly in my memory.
No.
5
Show All Photos
Huayan Monastery
4.8
/5
10683 reviews
8.1
From AU$ 8.59
Based on 147 reviews
Ancient City Tourist Cultural Area | >100 km from downtown
Phone +8603522042025
Address: No. 459 Xia Sipo Street, Datong City
Recommended sightseeing time: 1–2 hours
Saved by 175 users8810 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Before visiting Huayan Temple, I hadn't done any research and didn't know its history or appearance, so I had low expectations. The day I went, although it was raining, it was indescribably beautiful. The murals inside the temple were even more breathtaking. It's definitely worth a trip to Datong just for Huayan Temple.
The Liao and Jin dynasty architecture is magnificent and grand, with murals and statues that are a feast for the eyes. We marvel at the advanced wisdom and aesthetic sense of our ancestors, and are grateful to Mayor Geng for preserving and restoring this magnificent landscape.
No.
6
Show All Photos
Yanmenguan
4.7
/5
5990 reviews
8.0
From AU$ 11.81
Based on 5 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8603506100519
Address: Daixian, Xinzhou, Shanxi, China
Recommended sightseeing time: 3–4 hours
Highlights:
Yang Family's legendary statue
Walk ancient Great Wall path
5037 positive reviewsRecently viewed by 1,000+ people
Verified user reviews
Yanmen Pass is definitely worth a visit. I visited the Badaling Great Wall many years ago, and the experience was different. The day I went, the fog was quite thick, so visibility was limited. Also, I arrived rather late, so I didn't explore too far, but the early winter scenery was still beautiful. The difficulty of the climb further highlights the hardships endured by the ancient soldiers, and it makes one marvel at the wisdom of the ancients in building this magnificent pass.
The Yanmen Pass Scenic Area is absolutely worth a visit. If you go to Xinzhou, you must go to Yanmen Pass, climb the Great Wall, go up to the watchtower, and see the rolling mountains inside and outside the pass. Experience the charm of the First Pass of China. There is a direct bus from Xinzhou Ancient City to the Yanmen Pass Scenic Area, which goes directly to the North Gate of the scenic area.
No.
7
Show All Photos
Wutai Mountain
4.6
/5
8264 reviews
8.0
From AU$ 10.09
Based on 440 reviews
Wuye Temple | >100 km from downtown
Phone +8618634384269
Address: 205 Provincial Rd, Wutai Xian, Xinzhou Shi, Shanxi Sheng, China, 035515
Recommended sightseeing time: 1–3 days
Highlights:
Pilgrimage to five unique peaks
Panoramic view of Mount Wutai
Saved by 134 users5484 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
The scenery is nice and the bus is very convenient, good reviews! But the consumption level in the scenic area is a bit high, especially in some farmhouse restaurants, where two people can eat more than 100 yuan, while other places in the mountains only cost dozens of yuan.
The tour is very nice and I visited many temple which is very peaceful. The guide is also polite and helpful.
No.
8
Show All Photos
Wulanhada Volcano Geopark
4.1
/5
799 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 168 users607 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.
9
Show All Photos
Heng Shan Mountain
4.5
/5
4742 reviews
7.5
From AU$ 6.23
Based on 41 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8603528333077
Address: At the foot of Hengshan Mountain in the southeastern suburb of Wuyuan County, Datong City
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5–1 day
Highlights:
360° views of nature
Hanging Temple: ancient wooden architecture
Saved by 137 users2976 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
It's pretty good. The scenery is so-so, maybe because it's winter. There weren't many people, so you can climb at your own pace. Remember to allow 2.5-3 hours if you take the cable car. If you're climbing on your own, you can take a shuttle bus to the halfway point, then climb to the summit and take the cable car down. That will also take 3-4 hours. There are temples to visit.
Having a cable car makes things easier, but climbing to the top is still quite challenging. I had to rest several times, but reaching the top was still very rewarding, and the scenery was beautiful. The only downside was that one side was under construction, so there was a lot of dust at times.
No.
10
Show All Photos
Datong Ancient City
4.7
/5
263 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 179 users240 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
During my recent trip to Shanxi, I visited several ancient cities. Although many of the ancient cities we see today are rebuilt later, Datong Ancient City does have many historical sites worth visiting! Huayan Temple, Prince Dai's Mansion, Shanhua Temple, the Nine Dragon Wall, and many others are all historical relics well worth seeing. Therefore, I suggest that you allocate more time to Datong, a city full of cultural heritage!
Under Mayor Geng's leadership, Datong, the coal capital, enjoyed clear blue skies and white clouds, rendering all the prepared protective gear unnecessary. The ancient city and various scenic spots were vibrant, with tourist buses connecting different attractions and guided tours available for payment via QR code.
This trip to Datong lasted 4 days and 3 nights. The first night was spent within the scenic area at Tangfang Courtyard, a charming guesthouse converted from an old courtyard house. Airport pick-up was included, making it very convenient for exploring Southeast Yi. Breakfast included mutton offal noodles and knife-cut noodles; the mutton offal noodles used potato noodles, very authentic. The following two nights were spent at Huazhu Luxury No. 7 Mansion, inside Wuding Gate, offering views of Kuixing Pavilion and access to the North City Wall, which features a double barbican. Transportation was convenient.
Datong boasts numerous temples. When purchasing Huayan Temple tickets online, I happened to catch a China Mobile discount, getting a 10 yuan ticket! 👍 Huayan Temple Square is a popular photo spot. The temple grounds are spacious, with plenty of people posing, including with bows and arrows. There are many props available. One particularly famous feature inside the temple is the Chiwen (a mythical creature), which is also excellent for photos against the backdrop of blue skies, red walls, and glazed tiles. Shanhua Temple is smaller. The attractions within the ancient city are concentrated, and there's a tourist shuttle bus. I recommend taking it first, spending about 20 minutes getting a feel for all the sights: the Nine Dragon Wall, the Prince Dai's Mansion, Fahua Temple, Kuixing Pavilion, and a short walk around the Drum Tower. The Prince Dai's Mansion, in particular, is stunning; the glazed tiles shimmer in the sunlight, with vibrant colors – a true test of photography skills!
For a shared day trip, it's best to book a taxi directly with the driver when you pick them up from the airport; it's cheaper than through Ctrip. The Yingxian Wooden Pagoda, Hanging Temple, and Yungang Grottoes form a triangular route. Generally, start with the Wooden Pagoda because there are no shops nearby, and in this cold, windy weather, there's nowhere to sit and drink coffee or tea around it. Feeling awkward having to use the heating in a souvenir shop while waiting for your travel companions is quite embarrassing. The Hanging Temple was great! The visitor center had food and drinks, and you could also enjoy the scenery. After eating and drinking, we took a shuttle bus to the temple. Of course, it was still very cold, and the wind was extremely strong. I didn't dare to take photos near the edge of the Xia Ke Pavilion, nor did I dare to take photos for long. I admired a few tourists with southern accents who weren't even wearing down jackets and were still complaining about the cold. The QR code explanation at the Yungang Grottoes was a bit verbose, and there were many tour groups on site, so I recommend listening to a guided tour instead. Each attraction had its own cultural significance, but the Hanging Temple was the most beautiful. Visiting the three attractions took a long time and was tiring on the legs. On such a cold day, it got colder and colder as we walked. Luckily, we had a chartered car, which was very warm. We drove along the national highway, seeing distant mountains, vast cornfields, loess plateaus, and poplar trees.
Datong noodles are very famous, and the portions are huge; we always end up with leftovers. Longjuxiang's shumai came in a basket of nine, plus a plate of daylily buds and a serving of braised pork. The price was reasonable, and they even gave us a bottle of vinegar. Aside from the shumai, the other two dishes were barely noticeable after eating them. Kaige is still the best; they offer half portions, and this time a fellow car enthusiast recommended them. They also have the fried chicken, fish and fried dough twists in a pancake, and yogurt. Kaige's Fenjiu and Xinghuacun liquors are reasonably priced. I bought a bottle for someone, which drew some attention from the staff; I guess not many women in Datong drink alcohol.
Everyone knows about Jewish concentration camps, and only recently have they learned about the mass graves of the Nanjing Massacre. I never imagined Datong had one too. The Japanese army illegally mined coal in Datong, throwing injured and sick miners into the pits. No wonder an 80s-born car enthusiast said he wouldn't go to Japan. What we've seen is only a small part of the story.
1
2
3
4
5
About
Payment methods
Our partners
Copyright © 2025 Trip.com Travel Singapore Pte. Ltd. All rights reserved
Site Operator: Trip.com Travel Singapore Pte. Ltd.
Site Operator: Trip.com Travel Singapore Pte. Ltd.