Inner Mongolia

An autonomous region where northern grassland, desert and forest interweave — the heartland of Mongolian nomadic culture.

• History: Inner Mongolia spans Northeast, North and Northwest China; Hulunbuir, Xilingol and Ordos combine grassland, desert and lakes. Mongolians speak Mongolian as their own language; traditional festivals include the Naadam Fair (wrestling, horse racing and archery) and the White Festival (Mongolian New Year, the White Month around Spring Festival). Food divides into "red food" (meat) and "white food" (dairy); hand-held mutton, milk tea and milk curd are representative. Dazhao Temple in Hohhot is a Gelug Tibetan Buddhist temple; the Ewenki reindeer culture of Aoluguya continues around Genhe.
• Legend: Many stories about Genghis Khan's birth and upbringing on the grassland circulate widely in Inner Mongolia — their miraculous elements (such as heaven-sent signs) are legend, not reliable history. There are also several folk accounts of the origin of the oboo (stone cairn); these are legend, while in history an oboo is a stone-pile marker and sacrificial site on the grassland, with forms varying by place.

• Hulunbuir Grassland — Morigele River and Ergun wetland area.
• Xilingol Grassland — concentrated area for Naadam and herder-family experiences.
• Xiangshawan — Kubuqi Desert tourism area in Ordos; sand sliding, camel riding and more.
• Dazhao Temple, Hohhot — Tibetan Buddhist temple in Hohhot's old town.
• Aoluguya Reindeer Tribe, Genhe — Ewenki reindeer-herding culture; follow staff guidance when feeding reindeer.

Intercity travel is mainly by high-speed and conventional rail and air: Hohhot to Baotou, Ordos and Chifeng have bullet/high-speed trains, fares from tens to hundreds of yuan, subject to official publication. Hailar Airport in Hulunbuir, Manzhouli and other airports connect to city centres. Cities rely on buses, taxis and ride-hailing; buses are mostly one to a few yuan, payable by transit card or ride code. Grassland, desert and forest sites are far apart, mostly reached by chartered car or tourist line; a day's charter is mostly hundreds of yuan — agree route and price in advance. Self-driving into core grassland reserves is prohibited; use designated roads. Some border areas require border passes, subject to official publication. In winter roads ice over and snowstorms are heavy; self-drivers should carry snow chains and watch road-closure notices.

• Red Line: Do not trespass on herders' private pastures, startle livestock, light fires or litter in grassland reserves; in border areas do not cross boundaries or photograph military facilities.
• Taboo: ① On entering a ger (Mongolian yurt) do not step on the threshold, cut across in front of hosts or elders, or touch oboo offerings (follow local hosts' guidance); ② at temples and oboo ceremonies do not photograph or touch ritual objects and offerings without permission; ③ do not waste dairy or meat food; when hosts offer milk tea or alcohol, drink within your capacity and decline politely.
• Good Manners: Accept a khata (Khata) with both hands and give thanks; for horse riding, archery and similar experiences follow coaches and herder families and wear protective gear; speak softly on the grassland and do not chase wildlife.
• Common pitfalls for visitors: ① Thinking you can drive freely over grassland — it damages the ecology and may incur fines, the amount following local management rules; ② photographing herders' daily life or close-ups of children without permission easily causes offence — always ask first.

Best in the grassland season June–September and the autumn-colour season September–October. Grassland day-night temperature swings are large, so bring a jacket even in summer. Mosquitoes are numerous in summer — bring repellent. Naadam mostly falls in July–August, with dates varying by place, subject to local notices.