Hohhot
Hohhot, formerly known as Guihua or Kweisui (Guisui), is the capital and largest city of the northern Chinese autonomous region of Inner Mongolia, serving as the region's administrative, economic and cultural center.
Its population was 3,446,100 inhabitants as of the 2020 census, of whom 2,944,889 lived in the metropolitan area consisting of 4 urban districts plus the Tumed Left Banner.
Getting to Hohhot
- 01Hohhot Baita International Airport
It is one hour outside of Hohhot; regular flights are available to Beijing, Chifeng, Guangzhou, Hailar, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Shijiazhuang, Tianjin,Wuhan, Xi'an, and Xilinhot.
Worth seeing
- 01Da Zhao Temple
- 02Inner Mongolia Museum
- 03Tomb of Princess Zhaojun
The resting place of Han princess who voluntarily married a nomad Hun chief to secure peace.
- 04Great Mosque of Hohhot
28, Tongdao South Road, Huimin District (walk north for about 10 minutes from Da Zhao along the main road, it's on the right side).
- 05Hohhot Museum
- 06Inner Mongolia Art Museum
Things to do
Dazhao Temple Festivals. Songjing Da Fahui (8th-15th of the 1st and 6th lunar months), Songbalin (14th day of the 1st and 6th lunar months), Liang Dafo (15th day of the 1st and 6th lunar months), and Mani Hui (14th-17th day of eighth lunar month). Get to the mountains (take bus 54 north until it ends at the edge of town; this bus can be easily caught along the north side of Xinhua Square heading west).
Where to eat
Those looking for halal food will find it in restaurants with green or yellow signs, most of which are halal. To be sure, look for the Arabic word حلال on the sign. Bei Guo Zhi Chun (The Garden Restaurant). A greenhouse/warehouse turned into a massive eatery where plants are abundant as well as water features, indoor yurts, and private space. Great for parties or intimate dinners. The menu is very comprehensive.
Text adapted from Wikipedia and Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photograph: Wikimedia Commons (see file page), Wikimedia Commons.