Inner Mongolia
This spectacular Tibetan Buddhist temple is the oldest and largest temple in the city. Also called 'Immeasurable Temple' (无量寺, Wúliàng Sì) in Chinese, the…
Must-see attractions in Inner Mongolia
Inner Mongolia
Rising up at the rear of the Five Pagoda Temple, this striking, Indian-influenced, five-tiered pagoda was completed in 1732. Its main claim to fame is the…
Inner Mongolia
This superb museum affords a fascinating insight into Alashan and Mongolian culture. English captions are sporadic, which is a shame, but there's a wealth…
Inner Mongolia
This fabulous courtyard palace is the former home of the local prince, the Alashan Qin Wang. A well-restored, Qing-era complex of buildings and courtyards…
Inner Mongolia
This long wooden walkway winds its way along the north border of town with long panoramas over the Ergun River, running from where the horse rides starts…
Inner Mongolia
The remote but stunning Badain Jaran Desert (the world's fourth-largest desert) is a mysterious 49,000-sq-km landscape of desert lakes, Buddhist temples…
Inner Mongolia
This ruined Tangut city was built in 1032 and captured by Genghis Khan in 1226 (his last great battle). Khara Khoto continued to thrive under Mongol…
Inner Mongolia
Located 130km south of Baotou in the middle of nowhere is the Genghis Khan Mausoleum, China’s tribute to the great Mongol warlord. Unfortunately, old…
Inner Mongolia
Once one of the most magnificent monasteries in Inner Mongolia, Guǎngzōng Sì has a stunning setting in the Helanshan mountain foothills 38km south of…
Inner Mongolia
Lying on the pilgrim route from Tibet to Outer Mongolia and established in 1749, at its height this handsome monastery was the largest monastery in Inner…
Inner Mongolia
The remote, little-visited Cave Temple is one of the oldest monasteries in Inner Mongolia. Construction began in the mid-17th century and was expanded in…
Inner Mongolia
The original Mongol town of Bayanhot was centred on this 18th-century temple. Completed in 1742, it once housed 200 lamas; around 30 are resident here now…
Inner Mongolia
Its colossal halls capped in saffron tiles visible from a huge distance away, this massive temple is dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy, Guanyin. The vast…
Inner Mongolia
Surrounded by the Jinlianchuan Grasslands, there is not a huge amount to see of the palace remains. From the yurt where you buy your ticket, it’s another…
Inner Mongolia
Half of town decamps to this high point at sunset for some astonishing views (if the weather obliges) and spectacular evening fountain shows. Beyond the…
Inner Mongolia
East across the road from the Dà Zhào temple is this simple, peaceful monastery, which is also known as Xiǎo Zhào or Yanshou Temple (延寿寺, Yánshòu Sì). The…
Inner Mongolia
This museum is very important to visit for the scale models that give a realistic impression of the sheer ambition of Shangdu, as well as for relics from…
Inner Mongolia
For some rather tame borderland frisson and a closer look at Russia – the world's largest country – walk to the Friendship Bridge. Tourists can pose for…
Inner Mongolia
This grassland area caters largely to the burgeoning domestic market, with dozens of faux concrete yurt camps and a commercialised feel in pockets that…
Inner Mongolia
In the mid-1930s, during the Japanese occupation of Manchuria, this network of tunnels was constructed by the Japanese army in the grasslands north of…
Inner Mongolia
Roughly 20,000 Ewenki people live in northern Inner Mongolia, most of them in the Hulunbei’er Grasslands surrounding Haila'er. Glimpse some of their…
Inner Mongolia
This bizarre and astonishing park is filled with giant Russian matryoshki (nesting dolls), some bearing portraits of famous historical figures. The…
Inner Mongolia
In the middle of the fields, 7km east of the airport (about 22km from Hohhot), is this striking seven-storey octagonal tower built during the Liao dynasty…
Inner Mongolia
Occupying an enormous 2339 sq km and one of China's largest freshwater lakes, Hulun Lake, called Dalai Nuur (Ocean Lake) in Mongolian, unexpectedly pops…
Inner Mongolia
This restored and preserved Russian street and square from the early 20th century has been done up and affords a walk-through snapshot of yesteryear…
Inner Mongolia
In a traditional wooden building with a Russian Orthodox chapel topped with a bronze roof and a cross, this sweet museum has a charming collection of…
Inner Mongolia
This massive museum in the northeastern section of town has a distinctive sloping roof supposed to resemble the vast steppes of Mongolia. It’s one of the…
Inner Mongolia
North of the old town is the Great Mosque. Built in the Chinese style, it dates from the Qing dynasty but has been modernised. You can look around as long…
Inner Mongolia
Detached and alone, this twin-spired, brick-built church is quite a sight as you head towards town from the long-distance bus station. Of recent…
