Best Self-Driving Routes in Hohhot

Nowadays, many friends choose self-driving tours when traveling. This gives you more time to explore! There are many self-driving routes in Hohhot, let’s take a look!

1. Route 1: “72 Hours” Grassland Horse Trail Self-Driving Trip

【Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei—Xilin Gol Zhenglan Banner—Yuan Shangdu Ruins—Taipusi Banner—Royal Horse Ranch—Gongbolalag Grassland】

【Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (Zhangjiakou)—Xilin Gol Zhenglan Banner (Zhangshi Expressway, Xizhang Expressway 250km 3h)—Yuan Shangdu Ruins (S308, G510 30km 0.5h)—Taipusi Banner (S308, Xizhang Expressway
120km 2h)—Royal Horse Ranch (Yingbin Road, Xihai Line 20km 0.5h)—Gongbolalag Grassland】

Core Experience

Taste the unique Zhenglan Banner delicacy “Milk Skin”;

Explore the Yuan Shangdu Ruins; Admire the beautiful scenery of Jinlianchuan Grassland;

Watch equestrian competitions at the Royal Horse Ranch, ride horses, and experience the charm of equestrian sports;

Visit the Royal Horse Ranch Museum, and learn about the history of horse culture;

Ride through the Gongbolalag Grassland, see the vibrant mountain lilies in summer, and enjoy the grassland flower sea;

Visit the historic Malagai Temple and trace the legends of Emperor Kangxi and the Gongbolalag Grassland.

The route passes through the Zhangshi Expressway and the Xizhang Expressway, with a total distance of about 450km.

Recommended Accommodation

Day1 Xilin Gol Zhenglan Banner; Day2 Gongbolalag Sumu

Recommended Food

Zhenglan Banner milk skin, milk tofu, hand-grasped meat

2. Route 2: “72 Hours” Nomadic Self-Driving Trip

【Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei—Ulanqab Ulanhada Volcano Geological Park—Huiten Xile Grassland—Hohhot】

【Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (Zhangjiakou)—Ulanqab Ulanhada Volcano Geological Park (G6 Beijing-Tibet Expressway 250km 3h )—Huiten Xile Grassland (G7 Beijing-Xinjiang Expressway, Keliang Line
80km 1h)—Hohhot (X560, G7 Beijing-Xinjiang Expressway 100km 1.5h)】

Core Experience

Experience the wonders of nature at the Ulanhada Volcano and stay at a volcano homestay to experience Inner Mongolian life;

Ride horses through the Huiten Xile Grassland in Ulanqab, and be captivated by the beautiful scenery of windmills and wild yellow flowers;

Visit the homes of local herders in the heart of the grassland and indulge in their delicacies: try homemade yogurt and drink mare’s milk wine;

Visit the Inner Mongolia Museum and encounter precious museum artifacts;

Wander through the “Old Street of the Northern Frontier” and discover the past of the Silk Road.

The route passes through the G6 Beijing-Tibet Expressway and the G7 Beijing-Xinjiang Expressway, with a total distance of about 400km.

Recommended Accommodation

Day1 Ulanqab City; Day2 Hohhot

Recommended Food

Chahar mutton, sheep offal soup

3. Route 3: “72 Hours” Grassland Geological Wonders Self-Driving Trip

【Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei—Chifeng City—Yulong Shahu—Keshiketeng Banner—Dalai Lake】 Departing from the surrounding areas of Gansu, Ningxia, Shaanxi, and Shanxi in central and western Inner Mongolia

【Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (Chengde)—Chifeng City (Changshen Expressway, Daguang Expressway 200km 2.5h)—Yulong Shahu (Danxi Expressway, Y313 120km 1.5h)—Keshiketeng Banner (Danxi Expressway, S204
200km 3h)—Dalai Lake (Jixi Line, Dadaline 100km 1.5h)】

Core Experience

At the birthplace of the “First Dragon of China”, Yulong Shahu, delve into the mysteries of the Hongshan Culture of the Neolithic Age, and experience thrilling outdoor activities like off-roading, sandboarding, etc.;

Explore the nearest primitive forest to Beijing, marvel at the Ashatu Stone Array, a Quaternary glacial relic in Keshiketeng Banner;

Experience the legendary Hot Spring Pond, where Emperor Kangxi is said to have bathed, and wash away your fatigue;

Reach the “Chinese Swan Lake”, Dalai Lake, explore the white birch forest in the Bayin Aobao sand dunes, and ride freely through the Gongger Grassland.

The route passes through the Daguang Expressway and the Danxi Expressway, with a total distance of about 650km.

Recommended Accommodation

Day1 Wengniute Banner; Day2 Keshiketeng Banner

Recommended Food

Wengniute beef, eight delicacies, Dalai Lake Huazi fish

4. Route 4: “72 Hours” Sea of Grassland Self-Driving Trip

【Shanxi—Ulanqab City—Liangcheng Daihai—Linhu Ancient Pass—Huiten Xile Grassland—Hohhot—Inner Mongolia Museum—Zhaoxun Museum】

【Shanxi (Datong)—Ulanqab City (Datong Ring Expressway, Erguang Expressway 130km 2h)—Liangcheng Daihai (G6 Beijing-Tibet Expressway, X552 80km
1.5h)—Linhu Ancient Pass (Keling Line, 71km 1.5h)—Huiten Xile Grassland (Keling Line, Yanghao Highway 80km 1.7h)—Hohhot (X560, G7 Beijing-Xinjiang Expressway
120km 2h)—Inner Mongolia Museum—Zhaoxun Museum (South Second Ring Road Expressway, Zhaoxun Road 20km 0.5h)】

Core Experience

Purify yourself in the natural hot springs of Liangcheng Daihai;

Travel to Huanghuagou in the Huiten Xile Grassland, ride horses through the vast grassland, and experience the life of herders in the depths of the grassland;

Enter Linhu Ancient Pass, experience the mystery of the grassland forest, and feel the continuation of ancient history;

Walk into the Inner Mongolia Museum and encounter precious historical artifacts;

At the Zhaoxun Museum, visit the Hunyu Great Tent and Zhaoxun’s residence, and imagine the grand marriage journey of the Xiongnu a thousand years ago.

The route passes through the Erguang Expressway, G6 Beijing-Tibet Expressway, and G7 Beijing-Xinjiang Expressway, with a total distance of about 500km.

Recommended Accommodation

Day1 Ulanqab City; Day2 Hohhot

Recommended Food

Chahar fried puppets, milk tea, steamed buns

5. Route 5: “72 Hours” Wild Sand Sea Self-Driving Trip

【Shaanxi—Ordos Genghis Khan Mausoleum—Kangbashi Tourist Area—Ordos Grassland—Xiangsha Bay】

【Shaanxi (Yan’an)—Ordos Genghis Khan Mausoleum (Baomao Expressway 400km
4.5h)—Kangbashi Tourist Area (Acheng Line, Century Avenue 33km 0.45h)—Ordos Grassland (Dongkang Expressway, Rongwu Expressway 130km 2h)—Xiangsha Bay (Wuman Line, Xingba Expressway 180km
2.5h)】

Core Experience

Visit the Genghis Khan Mausoleum and listen to the stories of the tomb keepers;

Admire the flowers and the beautiful city scenery (night views are even more beautiful) at the Kangbashi Tourist Area, watch the large-scale musical fountain show, taste local snacks, and stay in unique homestays;

In the Ordos Grassland, experience various entertainment activities like horseback riding and sledding, watch Ordos ethnic wedding performances, live equestrian shows, and flying grassland acrobatics, and experience a large-scale bonfire party at night;

At Xiangsha Bay, admire the desert scenery, listen to the natural music of the sand dunes, and experience activities like camel riding, sand surfing, sand sliding, and desert water park.

The route passes through the Baomao Expressway and the Yanxi Expressway, with a total distance of about 750km

Recommended Accommodation

Day1 Yijinhuoluo Banner; Day2 Ordos Grassland Tourist Area

Recommended Food

Shortbread, Ordos hand-grasped meat, mare’s milk wine

6. Route 6: “72 Hours” Sand Sea Exploration Self-Driving Trip

【Ningxia—Wuhai City Wuhai Lake Leisure and Vacation Tourist Area and the Contemporary Chinese Calligraphy Art Museum—Jinsha Bay—Ordos Grassland—Ordos Genghis Khan Mausoleum】

【Ningxia (Yinchuan)—Wuhai Lake Leisure and Vacation Tourist Area (G6 Beijing-Tibet Expressway 160km 2.5h)—Contemporary Chinese Calligraphy Art Museum (G6 Beijing-Tibet Expressway 180km 3h)—Jinsha Bay (Xinxi Line, Xinyi Line 30km
1h)—Ordos Grassland (G6 Beijing-Tibet Expressway, Rongwu Expressway 276km 3.4h)—Ordos Genghis Khan Mausoleum (Rongwu Expressway, Baomao Expressway 160km 2.4h)】

Core Experience

Explore the oldest human artistic creations in Wuhai, the “Tables Mountain Rock Paintings”, dating back 6,000 years;

Enjoy authentic delicacies, ride camels, sand slide, and drive desert off-road vehicles at Jinsha Bay, experiencing the desert spirit;

In the Ordos Grassland, experience various grassland entertainment activities like horseback riding and sledding, watch Ordos ethnic wedding performances, live equestrian shows, and flying grassland acrobatics, and experience a large-scale bonfire party at night;

Travel to southern Ordos and visit the Genghis Khan Mausoleum, listen to the stories of the tomb keepers.

The route passes through the Jingyin Line, Jingzang Line, Rongwu Expressway, and Baomao Expressway, with a total distance of about 600km.

Recommended Accommodation

Day1 Wuhai City; Day2 Ordos Grassland Tourist Area

Recommended Food

Mongolian meat pies, Zhamayuan, sour and hot soup, rice jelly

7. Route 7: “72 Hours” Desert Belly Exploration Self-Driving Trip

【Ningxia—Alxa League Tenggeridailai Moon Lake Desert Ecological Tourist Area—Alxa League Tonghu Grassland Tourist Area】 Departing from the surrounding areas of Liaoning, Jilin, and Heilongjiang in eastern Inner Mongolia

【Ningxia (Yinchuan)—Alxa League Tenggeridailai Moon Lake Desert Ecological Tourist Area (G307/Wuying Expressway 130km 2.5h )—Alxa League Tonghu Grassland Tourist Area (Bayin Expressway, X7511 89km
3h)】

Core Experience

Experience the beauty of the desert, the Gobi, and the fusion of primitive lakes in Moon Lake, see rare birds, sand peaks, and lakes reflecting each other;

Visit the Tonghu Grassland and admire the unique desert lake basin landscape, enjoy grassland delicacies, and experience Inner Mongolian culture.

The route passes through S102, Bayin Expressway, with a total distance of about 450km.

Recommended Accommodation

Day1 Moon Lake Scenic Area; Day2 Alxa Left Banner

Recommended Food

Hand-grasped meat, fried rice, sheep back

8. Route 8: “72 Hours” Sacred Origin Secret Realm Self-Driving Trip

【Liaoning—Kuerqin Left Wing Posterior Banner—Daqinggou—Tongliao City—Xiaozhuang Garden—Hammin Relic Park—Baogutu Desert—Mengjiaduan Wetland Tourist Area】

【Liaoning—Kuerqin Left Wing Posterior Banner (Danfu Expressway, Xinlu Expressway 180km 2.5h)—Daqinggou (S305 30km 1.5h)—Tongliao City (S305, Danhuo Line
120km 2h)—Xiaozhuang Garden (Entrepreneurship Avenue, Jingjia Line 50km 1h)—Hammin Relic Park (County Road 20Km 0.5h)—Baogutu Desert (Daguang Expressway, Jingjia Line
230km 3h)—Mengjiaduan Wetland Tourist Area (County Road 55Km 1h)】

Core Experience

Have fun at Daqinggou, experience Daqinggou sledding, dabulu, wetland birdwatching, and canyon rafting, and get close to nature;

Explore the birthplace of “Queen Dowager Xiaozhuangwen” of the Qing Dynasty and the prehistoric settlement ruins, and feel the history and culture of the Kuerqin that has lasted to this day;

Travel to the Baogutu Desert, ride desert camels, play desert off-roading, and experience the breathtaking scenery of rolling sand dunes and winding sand ridges;

Visit the Mengjiaduan Wetland Tourist Area, taste a full fish feast, and enjoy the fun of swimming and fishing.

The route passes through the Danfu Expressway, S305, and Daguang Expressway, with a total distance of about 650km.

Recommended Accommodation

Day1 Kuerqin Left Wing Posterior Banner; Day2 Tongliao City

Recommended Food

Kuerqin Mongolian meat pies, Tongliao beef jerky

9. Route 9: “72 Hours” Centennial Middle East Railway Self-Driving Trip

【Heilongjiang—Zhalantun City—Yakeshi City—Hailar District—Manzhouli City】

【Heilongjiang (Harbin)—Zhalantun City (Suiman Expressway, Jingjia Line 450km 5h)—Yakeshi City (S302, Suiman Line
150km 2.5h)—Hailar District (Suiman Expressway, Hailar Airport Expressway 80km 1.5h)—Manzhouli City (Hai Man Level 1 Highway 200km 2.5h)】

Core Experience

Explore the historical ruins of the Centennial Middle East Railway suspension bridge in Zhalantun;

Travel to Yakeshi and admire the beauty of the primitive forest in the Phoenix Mountain Scenic Area;

Walk into the Hulunbuir Ethnic Museum in Hailar and learn about the history and culture of Inner Mongolia;

Visit the Hulunbuir Ancient City, the Hailar National Forest Park, the Hulunbuir Ethnic Museum, and the World Anti-Fascist War Hailar Memorial Park, explore the urban cultural heritage of Hailar, feel the accumulation and sublimation of multi-ethnic and diverse cultures, combine learning with practice, let tourists think deeply, learn something, feel something from their journey, and gain something from their trip;

Look across the border at the exotic scenery from the Manzhouli National Gate, visit the Matryoshka Square, and taste Russian cuisine.

The route passes through the Suiman Expressway and the Hai Man Level 1 Highway, with a total distance of about 900km.

Recommended Accommodation

Day1 Hailar District; Day2 Manzhouli City

Recommended Food

Hand-grasped meat, Russian Western food

10. Route 10: “72 Hours” Forest and Grassland Self-Driving Trip

【Jilin—Ulanhot City—Arxan City—Arxan National Forest Park】

【Jilin (Changchun)—Ulanhot City (Hunwu Expressway, Hunwu Line 450km 5h)—Arxan City (S203, Wenquan Road 280km 4h)—Arxan National Forest Park (X407
70km 1h)】

Core Experience

Visit the May Day Site in Ulanhot and learn about the history of heroic struggle and the pursuit of liberation under the leadership of the Communist Party of China;

Travel to the Arxan National Forest Park, hike through the Stone Pond Forest Sea, admire the rhododendron sea at Dujuan Lake, experience the wonders of nature at Santanxia, and observe the volcanic dammed lake scenery at Tuofengling Tianchi;

Observe the exotic scenery of the border at the Arxan Port, listen to inspiring stories, taste the red culture, and relive red memories;

Soak in the natural hot springs of Arxan, and taste the clear spring water of Wuliquan;

Explore the dense forest at the Arxan Aolunbukan Scenic Area, stay overnight at the scenic self-driving camp, observe the stars, and listen to the birdsong, blend into nature, and relieve stress;

Climb to the top of Bailang Peak and see the magnificent and magnificent natural scenery.

The route passes through the Hunwu Expressway and S203, with a total distance of about 800km.

Recommended Accommodation

Day1 Ulanhot City; Day2 Arxan City

Recommended Food

Ox tongue shortbread, buckwheat haf crom, Xing’an roasted lamb legs, Arxan mountain and field twelve flavors