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Best Things to Do
Top 50 Best Things to Do in Inner Mongolia [2025]
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Dazhao Temple
4.7
/5
7979 reviews
8.3
From IDR 81396
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 351 users5139 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
One fantastic place to visit. I went first thing in the morning so I was more or less by myself the entire time.
It's very large inside; it would take about three hours to explore it at a leisurely pace. After 3 PM, there are fewer tourists and tour groups, making it a very comfortable place. It feels like the temple has finally been restored to its original, authentic state.
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Whistling Dune Bay
4.3
/5
4802 reviews
8.2
From IDR 279070
Based on 81 reviews
Xiangshawan | >100 km from downtown
Phone +864008785550
Address: Dalad, Ordos, Inner Mongolia, China
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5–1 day
Achieved a 2-year streak on the annual lists
Highlights:
Breathtaking desert views & panorama
Camel rides in the desert
Saved by 331 users3086 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
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.
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!
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Aershan National Forest Park
4.3
/5
6171 reviews
7.9
From IDR 279070
Based on 81 reviews
Arxan National forest park | >100 km from downtown
Phone +864000151757
Address: Tourist Road, Aershan City, Xing'an League, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region
Recommended sightseeing time: 1–2 days
Featured in 2026 China 50 - Fall Viewing Attractions
Highlights:
Explore 50+ cones & 19 craters
Renowned for unique mineral springs
3187 positive reviewsRecently viewed by 1,000+ people
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The scenery is undeniably beautiful, especially in autumn – it's absolutely stunning. However, you need to choose your route carefully. The park shuttle is convenient, and there's accommodation on the mountain. If you're not in a rush, it's best to spend two days there.
Arxan in autumn is absolutely gorgeous! A word of warning: if you're short on time, definitely avoid the Heavenly Lake and Earthly Lake route. Heavenly Lake has many stairs, which can be tiring, and the viewing platform isn't very high, so you can't see the beautiful colors from above; it just looks like an ordinary pond. Plus, it's incredibly crowded. The same goes for Earthly Lake. I highly recommend visiting Camel Ridge Heavenly Lake and Rhododendron Lake instead. They're truly stunning, spacious, and not crowded at all. Skipping them would be a waste of your ticket price. You can choose to visit other places depending on your time. I'll save the photos of Earthly Lake and Heavenly Lake for last!
My autumn trip lasted a month, experiencing Xinjiang, the Greater Khingan Mountains, and Western Sichuan. It's clear that the best autumn scenery is found in Xinjiang and Northeast China. The golden leaves are shimmering and sparkling. The colorful leaves in Western Sichuan are filtered and appear duller in reality. For autumn scenery, Xinjiang and Northeast China are the top choices!
No.
4
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Wulanhada Volcano Geopark
4.1
/5
793 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 users601 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.
5
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Sino-Russian Border Tourist Area Of Manzhouli
4.4
/5
27 reviews
7.6
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8604706667777
Address: 内蒙古自治区呼伦贝尔市满洲里市华埠大街23号
Recommended sightseeing time: 1 day
Highlights:
Experience rich Russian culture
Enjoy a Russian song and dance feast in the evening
Recently viewed by 1,000+ people
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Very worth going. Every year 6-8 month is the best travel time, architectural aesthetics and exotic customs, unique border scenery and rich cultural connotation combine, bring new experiences and happiness to tourists
The whole walk is still quite leg-consuming. I look at the three countries at a glance. The left is Mongolia and the right is Russia. The door is very spectacular. It is the fifth generation of the door. Standing here, my heart can't be proud of the colorful Matryoshka Square. I walk and watch, I don't feel tired, I just feel that my eyes are not enough. Color application is too bold, too dazzling, Manzhouli, full of vitality, worth walking!
No.
6
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Hulunbuir Grasslands
4.8
/5
2113 reviews
7.5
Based on 126 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Address: S201, Chenbalhu Banner, Hulunbuir City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region
Recommended sightseeing time: 1–6 days
Highlights:
Russian village's unique log cabins
Nadaam Festival on June 4th
Saved by 485 users1095 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
I went in mid-July, and the scenery was absolutely stunning. If you drive in on your own, there are touts charging me 150 yuan to get in. I'd like to ask if this is the only way to drive into the scenic area?
The shuttle bus is very convenient, with many round trips and many cars. The scenery is also very good, but you need to stay long enough to enjoy it. When you go there, the road is under construction and it is very bumpy and uncomfortable. Apart from this, everything else is acceptable. The overall experience is okay. The cattle, sheep and the winding river are still worth seeing. It is very good. You can come and experience it.
No.
7
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Xilitu Zhao Temple
4.7
/5
773 reviews
7.2
From IDR 56977
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 109 users506 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.
8
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Hongshiya National Ecological Park Inner Mongolia
4.5
/5
293 reviews
6.9
From IDR 132559
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8613604718773
Address: 内蒙古乌兰察布市卓资县红召乡官庄子村
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5–1 day
Highlights:
Yak feast & grassland festival
Horseback riding & archery adventures
258 positive reviewsRecently viewed by 1,000+ people
Verified user reviews
The sunset is beautiful, the alpine grassland is stunning, the scenic area is very convenient to drive by, the ticket is still a bit expensive, the scenery is still better in summer. Navigate to Tianci Grassland and drive all the way up. When you see the sign of Sky Grassland, go a little higher and you can watch the sunset. Remember to bring a down jacket
When Master Zhang contacted us one day in advance, he would tell us what you wanted to know. Thanks to Master Zhang's foresight, we successfully avoided the traffic jam. After the trip, the local food recommended by Master Zhang was also very good. Chartering a car really gives you a lot of freedom.
No.
9
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Laoniuwan Yellow River Grand Canyon Tourist Area
4.4
/5
424 reviews
6.9
From IDR 209303
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8604717914669
Address: Lao Niuwan Village, Shantaizi Township, Qingshuihe County, Hohhot City
Recommended sightseeing time: 1–2 hours
Highlights:
Yellow River & Great Wall intersection
Glass platform overlooks canyon views
Saved by 228 users283 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
It was amazing, so worth it! It's so much better than Laoniuwan in Shanxi. I also have to give a thumbs up to the friendly lady at the ticket office at the Big Pagoda. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
I've visited so many scenic spots, but I've never seen a restroom as clean and tidy as this one. In the Laoniuwan restroom, I encountered a white-haired grandmother 👵 cleaning it. The entire bathroom was spotless, without a single odor. Are Mongolians just that obsessed with cleanliness? So respectful. Thank you!
A special thank you to the scenic spot for offering free admission to police officers nationwide, and especially to a family member. Thank you! 🌹❤️ Thanks!
Laoniuwan has two main parking lots: Chengwan and Niuzhuanqiankun, about a dozen kilometers apart.
Most drivers park at Chengwan, then take a boat to Tieniu Square (the scenic area directly adjacent to Niuzhuanqiankun). From Tieniu Square, you can see the first bend of the Yellow River, then take a bus back to Chengwan to pick up your car.
However, every year in mid-to-late August, flood discharges cause the Yellow River water level at Laoniuwan to be very low, even drying up in some sections. Boat service is suspended, forcing you to go to Niuzhuanqiankun. From there, take a shuttle bus to the terminal, then walk 1.1 kilometers to Tieniu Square. This walk is lined with farmhouses and B&Bs, making it convenient for dining.
During flood discharges, the water level is low and yellow, severely impacting the landscape. I personally think the scenic area should offer discounted admission during this period.
No.
10
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Yulong Sand Lake
4.3
/5
1441 reviews
6.9
From IDR 139535
Based on 13 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8604765626777
Address: Ongniud, Chifeng, Inner Mongolia, China
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5–1 day
Highlights:
Pro off-road & surfing experience
Jade Dragon Discovery Site
743 positive reviewsRecently viewed by 1,000+ people
Verified user reviews
Yulong Sand Lake's yellow sands stretch like golden waves, nestled amidst a turquoise expanse. Any photo opportunity creates a breathtaking spectacle, and it also embodies the ancient heritage of "China's First Dragon."
The must-do desert buggy ride is thrilling, a 25-minute adrenaline-pumping experience. Paired with scenic views from the Bailong sightseeing bus and camel rides, the experience is a perfect balance of action and tranquility, ensuring a truly captivating experience. Highly recommended!
I drove over 200 kilometers specifically to experience Yulong Sand Lake, but overall, I was pretty underwhelmed.
The park is quite large, but the layout is illogical. The ticket prices are also quite confusing: 80 yuan for the entrance fee and 120 yuan for the lakeside train (including the entrance fee), effectively telling everyone to take the train. The scenery around the lake is rather monotonous and lacks any novelty. The sandboarding and camel rides are both fun and require additional fees.
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