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Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region
Basic Information:
Area: 1,180,300 sq. km
Capital: Hohhot
Population: Approximately 23.76 million
Language: Mongol and Mandarin
Religion:
Climate in Inner Mongolia is very different throughout the year. Winter is cold and can be very long, usually with frequent blizzards. Summer is typically short and warm. The climate changes from arid to semi-humid from west to east, and to humid in the northeast. The annual rainfall is about 80 - 450 millimeters, increasing from west to east. The main feature of the climate here is that the different in temperature between days and nights is significant, so tourists should wear layers of clothes when traveling here.
Inner Mongolia has a peculiar natural scenery, long history and unique culture. There are many historic sites in this area. Some of the key historic sites are:
The Wudangzhao Monastery in Baotou, is a vast complex and used to be the residence of the highest rangking lama in Inner Mongolia and now it is the only intact Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Inner Mongolia.
Inner Mongolia is the hometown of Genghis Khan (1162-1227), the great leader of Mongolians. His Mausoleum, located 185 kilometers south of Baotou, holds his clothing buried in his memory.
The Dazhao Temple is one of the biggest and best-preserved temples in Hohhot. Xilituzhao Palace is the largest surviving Lama temple in Hohhot. The Zhaojun Tomb, six miles to the south of Hohhot, is located on one of the most beautiful scenes of ancient times. A legend says that each year, when it turned cold and grass became yellow, only this tomb remained green and so it got the name Green Tomb (Qing Zhong). Wanbu Huayanjin Pagoda, also called White Pagoda, used to be a place where nearly ten thousand volumes of Huayan Scripture were preserved. It is an exquisite and magnificent brick-wood structure about one hundred and fifty feet tall.
What is most attractive about Inner Mongolia is its natural beauty. Vast grasslands, including the Xilamuren Grassland, Gegentala Grassland and Huitengxile Grassland are all good places for a grassland experience. The mushroom-like yurts, bright sky, fresh air, rolling grass and the flocks and herds moving like white clouds on the remote grassland, all contribute to making the scenery a very relaxing and soothing one. While visiting Inner Mongolia you may try different activities such as Mongolian wrestling, horse & camel riding, rodeo competitions, archery, visiting traditional families and enjoying the graceful Mongolian singing and dancing. The best time to visit the grassland is definitely during the traditional Mongolian Nadam Festival period when there is a better chance to both participate and feel the lively atmosphere of the grassland life.
You can also visit deserts in Inner Mongolia. The deserts are located in the western part of the province: the most famous and visited ones are the Badain Jaran Desert, Tengger Desert and Kubuqi Desert. Early fall is the best time to explore the desert as the climate is very gentle.
Major Attractions in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region
| tomb of zhaojun | xilamuren grassland | genghis khan's mausoleum |
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