As capital of the autonomous region, Hohhot is relatively easy
to access due to its convenient transport systems. As
a result, the suggested Mongolian tour commences from this point. Day 1: If you do not have the time to head to Hailar (see below), then
visiting the grasslands from Hohhot is
our Day 1. This can be done independantly or through a Hohhot travel agency, either way it
is best to at least spend one night in a yurt. Day 2: Continue activities on the grasslands, then head back to Hohhot for the evening.
Check in to a local hotel. Day 3: In the morning, take bus No.1 to
Dazhao Temple. Have lunch
at one of the restaurants
close by. In the afternoon, first visit the Xilituzhao Temple and then the Five Pagoda Temple, both of which are
within walking distance from Dazhao. Day 4: (Perhaps by
bike) In the morning, first visit the Inner
Mongolia Museum and then the Great
Mosque. In the afternoon, take bus No.14 or cycle to the Tomb of Wang Zhaojun. Take an evening
train to Baotou (from
the Donghe Railway Station in the eastern section of town) and check in
at one of the local hotels. Day 5: In the morning, take bus No.7 to the Wudangzhao Monastery and spend the whole
morning here. Then go back to the eastern railway station
and have lunch. In the afternoon, take a long-distance bus to Dongsheng
and check in at a local hotel or guest house (see the end of the Genghis Mausoleum). Day 6: In the morning, take a bus to Genghis Khan"s Mausoleum. Then take the
same bus back to Dongsheng, from where you should embark on the tourist
train to the Resonant Sand Gorge
stop. In the evening, take the train back to Donghe Railway Station in Baotou. (Optional: Located in the deep northwest of Inner Mongolia, Hailar is a destination
mainly for those either on their way into Russia, along the Trans-Siberian Railway, or for
more hardy trekkers. It is the wilderness of old Mongolia as Kublai would have remembered
it and so we have seperated it from our itinerary. Day 1&2: On arrival head to the Hulunbuir Grasslands, either
independently or through a travel agent. It is worth spending at least one night here. On
the final day head back to Hailar and check in to a hotel. Day 3: Head to Manzhouli
early. First visit the Chinese Gate and then visit the Sino-Russian
Frontier Trade Market in the morning. After lunch, in the city center hire a car
to Hulun Lake and sample the exotic
fish banquet there. In the evening, ask the driver to take you to the Zhalainur
Railway Station and then take a train to Hailar. Check in at one of
the local hotels. You can then head off in whichever direction you wish. On the
Trans-Siberian into Russia, heading south back to Beijing or even eastwards towards
Dongbei.) |