Discover the rich cultural and historical heritage of Hohhot with this 2-day itinerary, designed to take you through the heart of Inner Mongolia’s fascinating landmarks. From the stunning displays at the Inner Mongolia Museum to the tranquil Five Pagoda Temple, this itinerary offers a perfect blend of historical exploration and cultural immersion. Experience the Islamic charm of Hohhot’s Muslim Quarter, marvel at the architectural beauty of the Suiyuan General’s Yamen, and explore the spiritual significance of the region’s sacred sites. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a culture seeker, or a photography lover, this 2-day journey will provide you with unforgettable memories of Inner Mongolia’s captivating past.
DAY 1: Islamic Style Street > Great Mosque > Xilituzhao Temple > Dazhao Temple > Old Street of the Frontier
First Stop: Islamic Style Street ⏱ 1.5h
Hohhot is a city with a diverse population, and one of its highlights is the Hui Muslim community. Islamic Style Street is a place where many Hui people live, and the architecture here is distinctly Islamic. You’ll notice rounded domes with deep green or yellow colors, as well as tall, columnar minaret towers. Strolling along the street, you’ll find many small shops selling dried beef and other Islamic snacks. In the center of the street, there’s a small square with a golden Aladdin’s lamp. It is said that if you rub the lamp, a genie will appear to grant you three wishes. This has become a popular spot for tourists to take photos, and you’ll often see long queues at the square.
Second Stop: Great Mosque ⏱ 1h
After exploring Islamic Style Street, you can walk to the Great Mosque. This mosque is the oldest and largest of its kind in Hohhot. While it is a mosque, its architecture also blends traditional Chinese elements. Visitors can explore the temple’s halls and pavilions along the central axis, as well as admire the brick carvings that showcase Hui and Islamic culture. On the southeast side of the mosque, there is a Moon Viewing Tower. From the top, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of Hohhot, where the architectural features of the Mongol, Han, Tibetan, Hui, and Manchu peoples come together.
Third Stop: Xilituzhao Temple ⏱ 2h
From the Great Mosque, take bus routes 59 or 6, which will get you to Xilituzhao Temple in about 20 minutes. The main hall of Xilituzhao is situated in front of a monument commemorating the Qing Dynasty’s pacification of the Zunghars. This monument symbolizes the central government’s determination to suppress rebellion and maintain national unity. Xilituzhao is less crowded, providing a peaceful environment to listen to the lamas chant prayers. The temple also houses a longevity Buddha pagoda made of white jade, and visitors can walk around the pagoda in a clockwise direction to pray for safety and peace.
Fourth Stop: Dazhao Temple ⏱ 2h
From Xilituzhao, you can walk to Dazhao Temple. Dazhao Temple is a Tibetan Buddhist temple. It is known as the “Royal Temple” because both Emperor Shunzhi and Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty stayed here. The temple’s “Three Wonders” include a silver Buddha, a dragon sculpture, and the murals. Every year on the 15th of the first lunar month and the 15th of the sixth lunar month, the temple hosts the Buddha exposition ceremony, where those with wisdom can visit to observe and meditate.
Fifth Stop: Old Street of the Frontier ⏱ 1h
After visiting Dazhao Temple, you can walk to the Old Street of the Frontier, a commercial street built in the style of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. It is filled with small shops selling a variety of trinkets and souvenirs, perfect for tourists looking to pick up a few keepsakes.
DAY 2: Inner Mongolia Museum > Suiyuan General’s Yamen > Five Pagoda Temple
First Stop: Inner Mongolia Museum ⏱ 3h
The Inner Mongolia Museum has four main exhibition areas: “Paleontological Fossils of Inner Mongolia,” “Historical Relics of Inner Mongolia,” “Ethnological Artifacts of Inner Mongolia,” and “Revolutionary Artifacts of Inner Mongolia.” Among them, the paleontology and ancient history exhibits are particularly popular. The highlight of the Paleontological Fossil Exhibit is the giant fossil skeletons of prehistoric animals, such as the Chagan Nor Dragon and the Mammoth. Visitors often stop here to take photos. The Historical Relics Exhibit displays cultural artifacts from several ancient regimes in the Mongol region, including those of the Xiongnu, Xianbei, Turkic, Khitan, and Mongol people. Many of these cultures favored the use of gold, so the collection of gold artifacts is especially rich.
Second Stop: Suiyuan General’s Yamen ⏱ 1h
After visiting the Inner Mongolia Museum, take bus routes 5, 23, or 97 to the Suiyuan General’s Yamen, a 25-minute ride. Hohhot has always been an important frontier military town for the Han Chinese dynasty in the northwest. During the Qing Dynasty, the Suiyuan General was appointed to govern the northern frontier, and the Suiyuan General’s Yamen was known as the “First Mansion South of the Desert.” Within the Yamen, visitors can explore the general’s conference hall, the offices of officials, and the officers’ quarters, offering a glimpse into the Qing Dynasty’s frontier governance system.
Third Stop: Five Pagoda Temple ⏱ 1.5h
After visiting the Suiyuan General’s Yamen, take bus route 56 to the Five Pagoda Temple, a 30-minute ride. The Five Pagoda Temple is a Tibetan Buddhist temple in the Mongol region. The most popular attraction at the temple is the Vajrasana Relic Pagoda, which is decorated with Tibetan Buddhist elements such as copper statues, murals, thangka paintings, and various gilded ritual implements. Inside the pagoda are two relics, and there are niches housing small gilded Buddha statues. The pagoda is inscribed with the “Diamond Sutra” in Mongolian, Tibetan, and Sanskrit.
