Hohhot

Hohhot, China

The region where Hohhot, the capital of northern China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, is located has been inhabited by the Mongolian ethnic group since ancient times. Historical buildings and sites that exude exotic Mongolian charms are strewn throughout this 400-year-old city.

It's difficult to keep a city clean in a region often buffeted by sandstorms, but interestingly Hohhot bucks the conventional wisdom. Street cleaners are always on patrol, keeping their eyes peeled for anything on the ground. No cigarette butts can escape their watchful eyes.

Jaunt into the wild outskirts. Imagine an endlessly extending green grassland sprinkled with peacefully grazing sheep and domed Mongolian tents. There's nothing out there but space. You could drift into a trance.

Getting around

• Dazhao Temple

  The earliest and biggest temple dedicated to Lamaism in Hohhot impresses with its regal, solemn-looking architecture.

• Tomb of Wang Zhaojun

  The girl of amazing beauty and exceptional wit was betrothed by the Han court (202 BC-220 AD) to the chief of a northern nomadic tribe as part of a truce deal. Her burial mound, now covered with trees and grass, is also known as “Qingzhong” (Green Tomb) because only the plants on the burial mound tend to thrive while other plants tend to wilt in cold months. Its top affords great views of entire Hohhot and the rolling mountains in the distance.

• General's Office

  The 132-room, 16,000-square-meter complex was used by the general appointed by the Qing court (1644-1911) to safeguard the kingdom's northern borders.

• Inner Mongolia Museum

  A walk through this exotic-looking, modern landmark will help you delve deeply into the history and culture of Inner Mongolia.

• Hasu Lake

  The 32-square-kilometer scenic lake is an appealing destination for day-trippers. Get onboard a boat for a tonic cruise through amazing vistas, with flocks of birds flitting frolicking on water for company.

  
  
  
• Baoerhan Pagoda

  It's a massive modern pagoda 82 meters high with a 6500-square-meter base. Doing circumambulations around it will ward off evils.