How to Plan a Trip to Inner Mongolia | Inner Mongolia Trip Planning Guide 2024

The widely spanning Inner Mongolia has cool summer and cold winter and also big temperature drops from day to night. Weather in the eastern part also usually differs a lot from that in the western part. For the entire prefecture, July is the hottest month, while January is the coldest one. And there is a little and uneven rainfall. But sunshine is abundant for a need of sunblock.

To travel in Inner Mongolia, you need to know the best time of different regions. Briefly divided into the east, middle and west parts. Usually, the best time to enjoying grasslands is from June to September or early October, which is various for different areas. Late July to early August is the event for the grand Naadam Festival of Mongolian people. And for visiting deserts there, spring to autumn is better but avoid too hot summer. And for visiting urban cities, it is usually suitable all around the year, especially April to October.

Below are the recommended best time to visit the popular destinations in Inner Mongolia for reference.

• Hohhot, Ordos, Baotou & Ulanqab - May to October for most highlights, usually June to September for grasslands; May, June, September and October is best for Kubuqi Desert;
• Hulunbuir - May to September for Hulunbuir Grassland and other major sightseeing; December to February is great for the forest snow scenery; December is best to enjoy the Winter Naadam Festival;
• Badain Jaran Desert - spring, autumn & winter; especially June, September and October;
• Ejina - late September to middle October for fabulous golden populus euphratica forest photography;
• Arxan - all year round; flowery spring, emerald & cool summer, splendid colorful winter and snow-covered winter with ski field and hot spring; But winter is very cold;
• Xilingol - May to September;
• Chifeng & Tongliao - summer and autumn, especially July and August for grasslands and lake view;
• Bayannur - summer and autumn.

Check more about Inner Mongolia Weather & Best Time to Go.

After landing in Inner Mongolia, how to transfer among each hot places, such as Hohhot, Ordos, Baotou, Ulanqab, Hulunbuir, Arxan, Badain Jaran, Ejina, etc.? Within this prefecture, you can make fully use of the flights, car, private car, etc.

• Hohhot - Ordos (distance: 215km): it needs 3.5-4 hours (270km) by car driving; 1.5-2 hours by bullet train and 3.5-4.5 hours by normal train.
• Hohhot - Baotou (distance: 153km): it takes 2-2.5 hours (170km) by car driving; 1-1.5 hours by bullet train and 1.5-3 hours by normal train.
• Baotou - Ordos (distance: 114km): it needs 1.5-2 hours (130km) by driving; 1.5-2 hours by normal train.
• Hohhot - Hulunbuir (distance: 1,120km): It takes 2 hours by flights from Hohhot to Hailar and Manzhouli.
• Hailar - Arxan (distance: 220km): it needs 4-4.5 hours (290km) by driving.
• Badain Jaran - Ejina (distance: 310km): it takes 6.5 hours by car.

Recommended Local Private Car Transfer Service

As the travel region is large in Inner Mongolia and network of high speed trains within there is not so great as other developed areas in China, to help you easily transfer between those destinations, such as Hohhot - Ordos - Baotou - Ulanqab, Hailar - Ergun - Genhe - Manzhouli, Badain Jaran region, Xilingol region, etc., we recommend you travel with our local private car transfer service. Our local tour guide and driver will escort you from your accommodation to each scenic area, between those neighboring cities easily by the non-smoking comfortable licensed private vehicle from China Discovery. So you can have more time and attention on the highlights of Inner Mongolia instead of the navigation and hard communication with locals not speaking much English. Please contact us if you need any help!

Check more about How to Get to & Around Inner Mongolia

Besides being the convenient capital of Inner Mongolia, Hohhot is the most chosen gateway to chase the breeze on the endless emerald grasslands in nearby Baotou and Ulanqab, which makes an Inner Mongolia grassland quite easy and memorable. More than that, Hohhot preserves excellently the exquisite centuries-old Dazhao Temple with three treasures and the valuable collections in Inner Mongolia Museum to help everyone have the best understanding of the important Tibetan Buddhist culture, staged historical development of Inner Mongolia area and the ideal nomadic life theory on the prairie. A classic Inner Mongolia tour shall not omit Hohhot! More about Hohhot >>

Highlights: Inner Mongolia Museum, Dazhao Temple, Five Pagodas Temple, Zhaojun Museum, etc.

Best Visiting Time: May to October, especially June to September

Itinerary: 1-3 days

As boasting the best and most beautiful grassland in China, Hulunbuir is the darling for grassland fans. Most areas within Hulunbuir show you the real look of an idyllic fairyland with pasture melody, like the winding river on the prairie, wetland with grazing cattle, dense forest, peaceful mixed border towns. All are the fabulous authentic nature gifts. Furthermore, the architectures of various shapes and retained tribes and villages scattered around hide the rising and declining secretes of those once strong ethnic tribes in the northern China. More about Hulunbuir >>

Highlights: Hulunbuir Grassland, Ergun Wetland, Shiwei Russian Town, Moerdaoga Forest Park, Manzhouli Matryoshka Square, etc.

Best Visiting Time: May to September

Itinerary: 4-6 days

Badain Jaran Desert as the most beautiful desert in China is the most popular among adventurers. Covering 49,200 s. k. m., it is the idyllic nature playground to enjoy sightseeing, photography, hiking, off-road driving, camping, and more fun with its featured five wonders of sandy peaks, singing dunes, colorful lakes, clear springs, and ancient temple. Its world highest sand dune of 1,617meters above sea level praised as the “Mount Everest in the Desert” gives you a brand-new terrific admiration of the wild desert beauty. Also, the over 140 lovely lakes changing colorful lights under sunshine makes Badain Jaran the sacred wonderland for visual and spiritual pleasure! More about Badain Jaran >>

Highlights: Badain Lake, Nortu Lake, Sumin Jaran Lake, Badain Jaran Temple, Bilutu Peak, Haisenchulu

Best Visiting Time: spring, autumn & winter, especially June, September and October

Itinerary: 2-6 days

Together with Hohhot and Baotou to be praised as the “golden triangle” of Inner Mongolia, Ordos is far more famous for its global cashmere brand. Boasting the holy and treasurable Mausoleum of Genghis Khan and other themed sites about Genghis in the city, Ordos is one of the top place to seek the trace and pay respect to that once world influential great founder of Mongolia Empire in Yuan Dynasty 600 years ago. Besides, the China’s seventh largest desert - Kubuqi Desert preserves the authentic, successfully greening, entertaining, and more wilder types for your escape from the noisy urban to the far boundary. More about Ordos >>

Highlights: Mausoleum of Genghis Khan, Yemingsha, Xiangshawan, Kangbashi District, etc.

Best Visiting Time: May to October, especialy May, June, September and October for Kubuqi Desert

Itinerary: 2-3 days

Baotou is not only the excellent industrial city for Inner Mongolia profit, but also the habitable new city with pleasant Xilamuren Grassland for both nature and fun on the green carpet. Besides that popular prairie, Baotou boasts the top favored temple clusters to show the rich Tibetan Buddhist culture with Mongolian features in Inner Mongolia, including the sacred Wudangzhao Lamasery and Meidaizhao Monastery. Thus, Baotou is talent to make great balance between nature, culture and development in the modern 21st century, which worthy for your exploration and analysis! More about Baotou >>

Highlights: Xilamuren Grassland, Wudangzhao Lamasery, Meidaizhao Monastery, Baiyun Ebo, Saihantala Park, etc.

Best Visiting Time: May to October, especially June to September

Itinerary: 2-3 days

The large Xingol attracts lots of travelers for its fabulous Xilingol Grassland with scattered grazing flocks and herds and luxurious grass for the authentic poetic grassland spectacular, especially the picturesque Xilingol Nine Bends. Also, it has a vital statue among Inner Mongolian culture and history for the remaining of the only Site of Xanadu as the precious state capital city of the significant Mongolia Empire, which is so treasurable for seeking the history and culture of that globally influential kingdom in past China. Furthermore, the annual Naadam Festival held around Wuzhumuqin Grassland is the highlight to show the talent of Xingol men on grassland. More about Xilingol >>

Highlights: Xilingol Grassland, Site of Xanadu, etc.

Best Visiting Time: May to September

Itinerary: 1-2 days

Ejina is not known much, but its Ejina populus euphratica forest turns into resplendent golden color every autumn makes it an extremely hot destination for nature appreciation and photography. Pretty and charming populus trees show various graceful poses on the lake, under the sunshine, in the desert, etc. for the special enjoyment of the vitality of the wild barren land. Do not miss Ejina if you are shutterbugs. More about Ejina >>

Highlights: Ejina Populus Euphratica Forest, Heicheng Ruins, strange Forest, Juyan Lake, Ruoshui Populus Euphratica Forest, etc.

Best Visiting Time: late September to middle October

Itinerary: 3-4 days

Where to start or end your trip in Inner Mongolia depends on which area you are going to discover.

For a classic Inner Mongolia discover to the middle part, Hohhot is mostly planned as the gateway city with most convenient and frequent flights and bullet train connection with other major destinations in China. Thus, you can easily visit to the nearby grasslands, Kubuqi Desert and best highlights in Baotou and Ordos. And Ordos is a wise and saving choice to complete such an itinerary.

For a discovery to the west part like Badain Jaran, Ejina, etc., it is more suggested to fly to the nearby traffic hub cities in Gansu, Qinghai or Ningxia and then arrive in the previous destinations in Alxa with a road discovery. It takes too long time to drive from Hohhot to Badain Jaran.

Moreover, to explore the east region like Hulunbuir, Arxan, etc. Hailar and Manzhouli are both convenient with flights.

You can check more arrangement of arrival and departure from our Inner Mongolia tours.

Length: 2-3 days

Itinerary: Hohhot - nearby grassland

Such itinerary takes you to jump into the soft and emerald representative grassland wonderland from the nearby convenient Hohhot capital for about 2 days. And before that, enjoy a classic discovery of Hohhot city highlights about Inner Mongolia culture & history.

Recommended Tours:

☛ 3 Days Best Hohhot Grassland Tour with Huitengxile Landscape

☛ 2 Days Huitengxile Grassland Tour from Beijing by Bullet Train

Length: 5-6 days

Itinerary: Hohhot - Baotou - Ordos

This itinerary will let you Get to Hohhot easily and quickly run to the refreshing nearby grassland for 2 days. After a comprehensive Inner Mongolia preview with the popular museum and temple, go to visit the famous Tibetan Wudangzhao Lamasery and transfer to Kubuqi Desert for adventure. On the last day, explore Genghis Khan culture and new city appearance in Ordos.

Recommended Tours:

☛ 5 Days Classic Inner Mongolia Tour

☛ 6 Days Inner Mongolia Bests Discovery Tour

Length: 4-6 days

Itinerary: Hulunbuir (Hailar - Ergun - Genhe - Manzhouli)

This itinerary takes you to explore the primitive poetic sightseeing of famous Hulunbuir Grassland and more stunning authentic wetland, forest, lakes, rivers, etc. on the large and fabulous Hulunbuir. The scenic driving road leads you to the peaceful villages of Russian, Ewenki and other ethnic minorities and tribes living on the border of China, Russia and Mongolia. And you can explore deeper to the white birch forest covered village to seek the reindeer tribe life. Finally, after a sightseeing driving along the border river, arrive in Manzhouli to catch the Russian flavor for the tour end.

Recommended Tours:

☛ 5 Days Best Hulunbuir Tour

Length: 3-6 days

Itinerary: Badain Jaran Town - Badain Jaran Desert

If you are seeking the wild adventure and escaping to the real wide nature, head to Badain Jaran Desert in the west Inner Mongolia. Visit Badain Jaran Geo-park Museum to culture implement and then hop on the cool desert Jeep to start your cool off-driving in the vast desert sea and admire the beauty of Badain Lake, Daetu, Yinderitu Spring, Bilutu, Badain Jaran Temple. Catch the sunset and the following sunrise on the golden desert and continue your safari to Barun Jaran, Bayunyikeri, Heavenly Lake, etc. for a classic Badain Jaran exploration. Of course, you can add more days for deeper hiking experience based on your interests and physical condition.

Recommended Tours:

☛ 3 Days Badain Jaran Desert Camping Tour with Jeep Safari

☛ 5 Days Danxia Badain Jaran Desert Tour from Zhangye

Besides, if you want an Inner Mongolia grassland and desert tour, plan about 6-7 days Hohhot - Baotou - Ordos - Hulunbuir tour. If you like Arxan, take the 9-day Hulunbuir & Arxan tour for reference. Also, if you are photography lovers, plan 3-4 days to Ejina Populus Euphratica Forest. If you like more authentic scenery or Inner Mongolia ancient culture, arrange 4-5 days to Chifeng and Xilingol. If you have more interested Inner Mongolia places to visit or any ideas, feel free to contact us to help you plan or customize your trip!

Recommended Tours:

☛ 9 Days Hulunbuir & Arxan Geopark Tour

☛ 4 Days Ejina Populus Euphratica Forest Photography Tour

☛ 5 Days Primitive Inner Mongolia Tour to Xilingol

☛ 5 Days Classic Hexigten Scenic Tour with Wulan Butong Grassland

Traveling Inner Mongolia alone is far from enough to have a good savory of the north and west part and entire China. Adjacent to Gansu, Qinghai, Ningxia, Shanxi, etc. Inner Mongolia is often planned in a 5-8 days tour to the Silk Road (Dunhuang, Zhangye, Lanzhou, Jiayuguan, etc.), Xining, etc. And people interested in the Chinese ancient history and grassland view prefer a 5-7 days trip to Beijing and Inner Mongolia. Also, if you have a longer vacation, it is a super great idea to extend your trip to more popular appealing destinations in other parts of China, like Shanghai, Xian, Chengdu, Guilin, Yangtze River, Zhangjiajie, Huangshan, Yunnan, Tibet, Xinjiang, and so forth to discover more and save more! Here are some top popular tour packages for your inspiration!

If you have other travel ideas or any questions, please feel free to contact us and our experienced travel consultants will customize a satisfactory for you.

Recommended Tours:

☛ 7 Days Qinghai Lake Zhangye Danxia Badain Jaran Desert Wonders Tour (Xining - Zhangye - Badain Jaran)

☛ 8 Days Best of China Tour (Beijing / Xian / Shanghai)

☛ 12 Days Wonders of China Tour (Beijing / Xian / Guilin / Zhangjiajie / Shanghai)

☛ 10 Days Classic Silk Road Tour (Xian/Dunhuang/Turpan/Kashgar)

☛ 7 Days Miraculous Land Tour from Dunhuang to Zhangye Xining (Dunhuang - Jiayuguan - Zhangye - Xining)

☛ 9 Days East China & Mt. Huang Tour by High Speed Train (Shanghai / Suzhou / Hangzhou / Huangshan)

Within Inner Mongolia, you can find diverse accommodations from the starred luxury hotels, comfort hotels, to budget hostels, themed boutique hotels, and ethnic featured homestays, etc. for your trip there. You will have no worry, especially in Hohhot, because it provides the best and most choices of diverse levels and the accommodations in the downtown are usually the best for your high demands. Besides, Hulunbuir, Ordos, Baotou, etc. also offer a large number of luxury to cost-efficient choices for you. While, grassland and desert areas not only provides great hotels, but some special Mongolian yurts or camping experience for your new try. Check the detailed recommended areas to stay and accommodation types of each tip popular travel destination in Inner Mongolia at below for your reference.

Have your own ideas of where and what to discover in Inner Mongolia? We China Discovery offers many popular and valuable private Inner Mongolia tour packages taking you to enjoy wonderful exploration of the best highlights of Hohhot, Hulunbuir, Ordos, Baotou, Badain Jaran, Ejina, etc. And our professional travel team with experienced travel expert, local English-speaking travel guide and driver and non-smoking comfortable licensed private vehicle will help you throughout the trip from the planning, navigation, hotel arrangement and scenic spot visiting. So you will have the much better travel experience in the large and beautiful Inner Mongolia. You can check our tour packages to get some inspiration. All tours can be tailor-made according to your group size, time, physical condition, plan, interests, budget and any other special need! Please feel free to contact us to customize your own Inner Mongolia trip or if you need any help!