Inner Mongolia extends across northern China from the eastern edge of Xinjiang Autonomous Region to the western edge of Heilongjiang Province. Chinggis (Genghis) Khan is revered here. Several branches of China’s Great Wall run through the region. The vast expanse that is Inner Mongolia includes mountains, deserts, and grasslands. At the heart of this vast expanse are Hohhot (the capital of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region) and Baotou (Inner Mongolia’s largest city).
I’ve taken previous trips to parts of eastern Inner Mongolia; specifically, Manzhouli and Hailar (along with the surrounding Hulunbuir Grasslands); Jiagedaqi is technically in Inner Mongolia, but it’s the seat of Heilongjiang Province’s northernmost region. This time, though, I wanted to see the another part of Inner Mongolia: its heart - the cities of Hohhot and Baotou - both of which are must-see places.
Hohhot, the provincial capital of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, is located in the south-central part of the region. It is most notable for its Buddhist temples and an area with old-style Chinese architecture that includes a pedestrian street where you can buy brassware, animal skins, Mongolian decorative items, jewelry, and leather goods, among other things. I bought a pair of Mongolian-style leather boots there. Also in the city is an Islam-style street with various meat and baked-goods shops. Near this is an indoor bazaar, where you can buy mainly clothes and household fabrics (curtains, quilts, sheets, and so on). There are also museums and abundant shopping centers. While out walking, I found this wonderful little place that sold cigars, whisky, and desserts. Above the entrance is pi to several places.
Baotou, Inner Mongolia’s largest city, is west of Hohhot and sits on the banks of the Yellow River. I went there for one reason: to see the ruins of the Great Wall that are here - and I do mean ruins as it looks like nothing more than a long mound of dirt. There are other things to see here, but this was the only thing I wanted to see.
Inner Mongolia is a great place to experience Mongol culture. This autonomous region of China still preserves elements of Mongol culture, such as Mongol Script (written characters). Signs throughout the region are written both in Chinese and Mongol Script (some areas, such as Manzhouli and Hailar, include Russian along with Chinese and Mongol). It should be noted that Mongolia itself (the country north of Inner Mongolia) still uses the Cyrillic alphabet and has not reverted to Mongol Script. While the population of Inner Mongolia is more than 90 percent Han Chinese, ethnic Mongols (from different tribal groups) also live here and keep their respective cultures alive.
Visit Hohhot and Baotou, the heart of Inner Mongolia.
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