Cool, cool Hohhot in Inner Mongolia

In a land of ancient tales, Inner Mongolia is a surreal habitat where grasslands and deserts lie side by side with history and culture that date back thousands of years. Inner Mongolia is known as the pearl of northern China with four core tourist regions of Hohhot, Baotou, Ordos and Bayannur.

Like an eagle flying across north of China, Inner Mongolia, an autonomous region, looks like a long, narrow and colorful picture scroll threading together the east and the west, revealing its splendor and grandeur. Here, grassland and desert are harmoniously combined with historical sites, lakes and industrial tourism.

Our tour group (spearheaded by Air China and Shangri-La hotels) was led to visit Hohhot and Baotou. I wrote in my last column about the singing dunes of Baotou. This time, let me tell you about the grandeur of the grassland of Hohhot. The grandeur of Hohhot’s grassland is integrated with the elegance of lakes and rivers.

The best time to visit Hohhot is in summer and autumn. At this time of year, the pleasant climate, the blue sky and white clouds, the rolling grass, the wandering flocks and herds, the passionate herdsmen and their Mongolian food will undoubtedly leave you with a deep impression. 

When we arrived in Hohhot, our bus driver gently drove through the driveway of Shangri-La Hohhot, a five-star resort complex in the middle of a bustling city.

Take a dip in their exquisite pool area.

The hotel complex will mesmerize you. Your eyes will traverse the hotel’s height to the top. Its peak seems to make love to the clouds. The resort hotel is a prime yet tranquil location. From the lobby, you admire the landscaped gardens. Without a doubt, you make a mental note to stop here for a drink later on. A friendly porter takes you to your room. Lush finishes complement contemporary furnishings. The view outside is captivating with a lively gathering of families at Qingcheng Park in the distance. Contented where you are, you’ll likely want to stay in your room for the rest of your holiday. Alas, hunger brings you back to reality.

Downstairs, Xin Café receives you. The open theater kitchen concept is the first of its kind in Hohhot. Its delectable offerings are just as unique, stimulating all your senses.

The afternoon welcomes you to promenade to nearby scenic spots. Zhaojun Temple, Genghis Khan Mausoleum and the famous Buddhist Temple, also known as Temple of the Five Pagodas. You will be presented with ancient history and long-forgotten tales; they are everywhere in Hohhot. You immerse yourself in the stories of this magical place. You won’t mind getting lost. You’ll find yourself again refreshed with knowledge and allure that Hohhot has to offer.

By early evening, you have freshened up. A quick pre-dinner drink at Lobby Lounge makes certain of that. You step out for an evening of cultural folk music and dance at the local theater. Glancing back at the hotel as you head out, you know you want to come back soon — for everything about Shangri-La Hotel, Hohhot makes you feel singularly special.

Our rambunctious group was led to visit the Xilamuren Grassland just a few hours from Hohhot. Our trip to Inner Mongolia began with a comfortable five-hour trip aboard Air China from Manila to Beijing. From Beijing, after an hour and a half, we landed in the Hohhot. With me in the fun group were travel agents from Binondo, Manila, namely Gene Gan of Everyday Travel, Angeline Ymaz of Goldlink Travel, Raymond Michael Tee of Horizon Travel, Cherie Bautista of Pan Pacific Travel, Irene Jean Chua of Panda Travel and Cheng Yuefeng of SOTI Travel. We were feted by the glorious combination of Air China and Shangri-La Hotels. Glenn Pineda of China Air and Sharon Yau of Shangri-La Hotel Hong Kong led our group to Xilamuren Grassland.

Lying about 90 kms. north of Hohhot, Xilamuren Grassland is the first grassland tourist attraction opened in Hohhot. Xilamuren means “yellow water” in Mongolian.

Inner Mongolia Museum is a regional museum in the city of Hohhot.

In Xilamuren Grassland, there is a Lama Temple built in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). It is Puhui Temple, which should not be missed on your trip. Originally it was the temporary palace for the sixth Xilituzhao living Buddha. Now it is a complex of three halls with carved ceilings and painted beams. The beautiful Xilamuren River surrounds the temple, presenting a peaceful and harmonious atmosphere. Don’t hesitate to pay a visit to Xilamuren Grassland. It won’t disappoint you!

Gegentala Grassland is to the north of Hohhot, within the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. It is the largest and a unique scenic spot bearing the Mongolian ethical features of China. “Gegentala” means a summer resort or the place of grazing in summer. On the grassland, the weather is cool and the natural scenery is fascinating. With thriving grass and abundant water, the green of the grassland reaches out as far as your eyes can see. Colorful wild flowers and flocks of sheep that look like masses of cloud make the scene absolutely beautiful.

Besides the amazing natural scenery, visitors can also taste traditional Mongolian food and take part in local activities. While listening to the melodious toasting songs and appreciating traditional Mongolian dances, visitors have the opportunity to taste kumiss, roasted whole sheep and shouba rou (boiled mutton eaten with hands). In traditional Mongolian clothes, visitors can take part in a horse race, wrestling and archery, which have been popular on the land for thousands of years. At night, people sit around bonfires singing and dancing to their hearts’ content.

The grasslands and desert lands in Inner Mongolia prove that the old traditions can be married with luxurious modern developments in the middle of the desert or felt in the grassland. What a symbiotic combination for old and new to co-exist for a country whose philosophy is to build, expand and progress against all odds. This is what Inner Mongolia represents, this is what Inner Mongolia stands for.

To enrich the tourist experience, modern facilities, such as nightclubs and luxurious Mongol gers (round tents) have been established. Every July or August, when flowers are in full bloom and sheep and horses are in their best condition, a tourism festival called Nadam Fair is held (Nadam Fair means entertainment and amusement in Mongolian. It is a traditional grand meeting and also an annual gala event for the local). This period is also a favorable season for travel.

Mornings in Hohhot are very cool while the average temperature from July to August is 18°C  to 21°C in the Xilamuren Grassland. There is a saying which reflects the climate changes in the Xilamuren Grassland: “People wear cotton-padded jackets in the morning while they wear gauze clothing at noon. People eat watermelons beside the fireplace at night.” There is a great daytime to nighttime temperature difference in Hohhot. You may feel like you are visiting in cool autumn when you are actually there during a summer night.

 During springtime, we were told, it is windy. In autumn and winter, it is cold. In summer, it is cool and the grass looks like a carpet. Therefore, summer is the best season for you to visit.

Let me add that during the Nadam Festival held every summer, tourists can enjoy a series of different activities, including camel riding, horse racing, wrestling, archery, a campfire party with singing and dancing. You can even take part in some of the competitions, if you are interested. A big surprise is probably waiting for you!

There is also the Aobao Festival usually held between late May and early June. Aobao means duizi in Mongolian, which is a conical stage shaped by stones with prayer flagpoles (or religious flagpoles) and branches standing upright on it. When the festival is finished, traditional activities are performed, such as horse riding, wrestling among others.

The climate of Hohhot is a tourist come-on. As there is such a great temperature difference between day and night, you’d better take your coat and trousers with you when you visit the grassland. At the same time, owing to its shifting climate, you’d better also have a raincoat ready. Inner Mongolia is located in the plateau area which has long periods of sunshine and strong sunlight. Therefore, you’d better be prepared with a sunhat, sunglasses and sun-blocking cream.

Hohhot’s grassland — with its weather that makes your body, mind and soul comfortable at every turn — is a treat to the senses. For that, Hohhot is a sanctuary, a balm to the wanderlust that craves nature’s optimum delight. It’s very easy to be happy and content in Hohhot. Here, you are treated to the storied tales of the past yet you feel vibrant with the many promises of its modernity. Hohhot keeps its promise to beguile you with every glance.

The grandeur of Shangri-La Hohhot lobby

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For more information, call Air China at 632-808-2311 or e-mail mnl-sales@airchina.com or visit its website www.airchina.com.