Attractions · Hohhot

Dazhao Temple was first built during the Wanli era of the Ming dynasty and is the earliest Tibetan Buddhist temple in Hohhot. Its silver statue of Shakyamuni is 2.55 metres tall and used 30,000 taels of silver — the temple's greatest treasure. The buildings are richly painted and blend Han, Mongolian and Tibetan artistic styles. Highlights include the silver Buddha, dragon carvings, murals and the Mahavira Hall. Hohhot's earliest Tibetan Buddhist temple, known for its silver statue of Shakyamuni, with richly painted buildings and throngs of worshippers. Tip: visit in the morning for better light. Practical info: located at Dazhao Front Street, Yuquan District, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia; ticket ¥35; opening hours 08:00–18:00. Best season: summer and autumn (Jun–Sep) bring lush grass and the finest grassland scenery; in winter you can experience Mongolian New Year customs. Combine with Wuta Temple (Vajra Seat Stupa), Xilamuren Grassland and the Inner Mongolia Museum in Hohhot for a half-day or full-day itinerary. Check the day's opening and reservation rules before you go, and allow enough time to explore.

Tip: Visit in the morning for better light.

• Address: Dazhao Front Street, Yuquan District, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia
• Ticket: ¥35
• Opening: 08:00–18:00

Wuta Temple was first built during the Yongzheng era of the Qing dynasty as a Vajra Seat Stupa. The stupa is about 16 metres tall and carved with 1,563 Buddha images, earning it the name 'Stupa of a Thousand Buddhas'. Behind the stupa is a Mongolian astronomical chart, a rare example in the world. Highlights include the Buddhist reliefs. A Qing dynasty brick-and-stone stupa carved with Buddhist motifs and an astronomical chart, it is an important historic building in Hohhot; the south face bears a Mongolian astronomical chart, a rare stone-carved example in China. Tip: visit together with Dazhao Temple, which is close by. Practical info: located at Wuta Temple Back Street, Yuquan District, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia; ticket ¥35; opening hours 09:00–17:00. Best season: summer and autumn (Jun–Sep) bring lush grass and the finest grassland scenery; in winter you can experience Mongolian New Year customs. Combine with Dazhao Temple, Xilamuren Grassland and the Inner Mongolia Museum in Hohhot for a half-day or full-day itinerary. Check the day's opening and reservation rules before you go, and allow enough time to explore.

Tip: Visit together with Dazhao Temple, which is close by.

• Address: Wuta Temple Back Street, Yuquan District, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia
• Ticket: ¥35
• Opening: 09:00–17:00

Xilamuren Grassland lies north of Hohhot, about 80 km from the city, and is the grassland tourist area closest to Hohhot. In summer the green waves stretch endlessly, and visitors can ride horses, stay in yurts, taste hand-grabbed mutton and watch Mongolian song and dance performances. Highlights include horse riding, yurt stays, Naadam performances and the grassland night sky. A well-known grassland close to the city, where you can ride horses, visit herders and watch song and dance; in summer the green waves stretch to the horizon under brilliant stars. Tip: go in summer for the finest grassland scenery. Practical info: located at Xilamuren Town, Darhan Muminggan Joint Banner, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia; free entry (horse riding and other activities charged separately); open all day. Best season: summer and autumn (Jun–Sep) bring lush grass and the finest grassland scenery; in winter you can experience Mongolian New Year customs. Combine with Dazhao Temple, Wuta Temple (Vajra Seat Stupa) and the Inner Mongolia Museum in Hohhot for a half-day or full-day itinerary.

Tip: Go in summer for the finest grassland scenery.

• Address: Xilamuren Town, Darhan Muminggan Joint Banner, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia
• Ticket: Free (horse riding and other activities charged separately)
• Opening: All day

The Zhaojun Museum lies on the bank of the Dahei River in Hohhot's southern suburbs, centred on the tomb of Wang Zhaojun. The tomb, also called the 'Green Tomb', is said to be named for the grass that stays green on it all year, and is an important relic of the Han dynasty marriage alliance. The museum was expanded around it and includes the tomb, the Xiongnu Culture Museum, the Chanyu Tent and the Peace Garden; its displays tell of Wang Zhaojun's journey beyond the frontier, Han–Xiongnu relations and the grassland Silk Road, making it an entry point for understanding Inner Mongolia's history and ethnic integration. A dedicated museum centred on the 'Green Tomb' of Wang Zhaojun, telling the story of her journey beyond the frontier and the Han–Xiongnu marriage alliance; the grounds also hold the Xiongnu Culture Museum, the Chanyu Tent and the Peace Garden, making it the most historically layered stop in Hohhot's southern suburbs. Highlights include the Tomb of Wang Zhaojun (Green Tomb). Tip: visit separately from the Inner Mongolia Museum — this is more a historic site; free but reservation required, closed Mondays, about 20 minutes by taxi from the city centre. Practical info: located at Zhaojun Road, Yuquan District, Hohhot; free entry (reservation required; subject to official notice); opening hours 09:00–17:00 (closed Mondays, last entry 16:30).

Tip: Visit separately from the Inner Mongolia Museum — this is more a historic site; free but reservation required…

• Address: Zhaojun Road, Yuquan District, Hohhot
• Ticket: Free (reservation required; subject to official notice)
• Opening: 09:00–17:00 (closed Mondays, last entry 16:30)

The Inner Mongolia Museum is the largest comprehensive museum in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, with a collection of more than 100,000 artefacts illustrating the region's history, nature and ethnic cultures. Dinosaur fossils, Liao dynasty artefacts and Mongolian costumes are especially precious. Highlights include the dinosaur fossil exhibition and the grassland culture exhibition. A showcase of grassland civilisation, dinosaur fossils and Khitan Liao artefacts, it is a window onto Inner Mongolia's history and nature; the dinosaur fossil hall and the Khitan Liao and Jin relics are the highlights. Tip: closed on Mondays. Practical info: located at 27 Xinhua East Street, Xincheng District, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia; free entry; opening hours 09:00–17:00 (closed Mondays). Best season: summer and autumn (Jun–Sep) bring lush grass and the finest grassland scenery; in winter you can experience Mongolian New Year customs. Combine with Dazhao Temple, Wuta Temple (Vajra Seat Stupa) and Xilamuren Grassland in Hohhot for a half-day or full-day itinerary. Check the day's opening and reservation rules before you go, and allow enough time to explore.

Tip: Closed on Mondays. Allow 2–3 hours for your visit.

• Address: 27 Xinhua East Street, Xincheng District, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia
• Ticket: Free
• Opening: 09:00–17:00 (closed Mondays)