Inner Mongolia: Grasslands, Desert & Yurts in 6 Days
Sleep in a yurt on the steppe, ride horses across the grassland, then slide down the dunes at Xiangshawan — Inner Mongolia's best in a week, easy from Beijing.
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Inner Mongolia is China’s wildcard — a world of rolling steppe, camel caravans and the singing dunes, two hours from Beijing. This six-day route gives you the two essentials in one trip: a night in a yurt on the grassland, and a day in the sand sea of the desert.
The route at a glance
| Day | Stop | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hohhot | Arrive, old temple |
| 2 | Xilamuren grassland | Yurt, horses |
| 3 | Grassland → Hohhot | Sunrise, return |
| 4 | Xiangshawan desert | Camels, sandboarding |
| 5 | Ordos | Genghis Khan’s mausoleum |
| 6 | Depart | Back to Beijing or Hohhot |
Day 1 — Arrive in Hohhot
Take the train or flight to Hohhot, Inner Mongolia’s capital. Wander the Dazhao Temple (a working Tibetan-Buddhist temple) and the old street around it, and eat the local mutton and nai cha (milk tea) — Inner Mongolia’s answer to the steppe.
Day 2 — Xilamuren grassland
Drive out to Xilamuren (about 2 hours from Hohhot). Arrive, check into your yurt camp, and take a horse ride across the steppe. In the evening there’s usually a bonfire and a tasting of the local food — and the starfield above the grassland is one of China’s best.
Day 3 — Grassland sunrise, back to Hohhot
Catch the sunrise over the steppe (worth the early alarm), then head back to Hohhot in the afternoon. Evening free for the old town.
Day 4 — Xiangshawan desert
On to Xiangshawan (Resonant Sand Gorge) — a desert on the Yellow River with the famous singing sand. Ride a camel, try sandboarding, and stay for the desert sunset.
Day 5 — Ordos & Genghis Khan
From the desert, visit Ordos and the Genghis Khan Mausoleum — a striking site of memorial halls and a pilgrimage place for Mongol culture. Then return toward Hohhot.
Day 6 — Depart
Fly or take the train back to Beijing — or extend west toward the Ejina poplar forests (autumn) or the deep steppe if you have more days.
More time? Add a day for the deeper Gegentala grassland, or a night in a desert hotel for the dunes after dark. The Silk Road route is the natural way to continue west from here.
Practical tips
- Book the yurt camp and desert hotels ahead in July–August — they fill up fast.
- Pack for big temperature swings: the steppe is cold at night even in summer; bring a warm layer and a scarf for the wind and sand.
- Sunscreen and water are non-negotiable — both the high plateau and the desert are intense.
- Payment and data: Alipay and an eSIM cover everything; coverage is thin on the steppe, so download maps ahead.
Where this route fits
Inner Mongolia is a fantastic three- or four-day add-on to a Beijing trip — you can fly out of Beijing in the morning and be on the grassland by lunch. Build it into your overall itinerary.
FAQ highlights
- Is it safe to ride the horses? Yes — the tourist rides are guided and gentle; tell your guide if you’re a beginner.
- Do I need a guide? No — the grassland and desert both run as organized day trips from Hohhot.
- What about food? Expect lamb, dairy and the famous Inner Mongolian barbecue — a welcome change from the eastern cities.
Last updated: August 2026. Train and camp availability change — confirm before you travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get to Inner Mongolia from Beijing?
The easiest way is the high-speed train from Beijing to Hohhot (about 2.5 hours) or a short flight. From Hohhot, buses and organized tours reach the grasslands and the desert. Book rail with your passport. [How to book trains](https://chinotrips.com/how-to/train-tickets/).
Which grassland is best for a first visit?
Xilamuren (希拉穆仁) is the closest good grassland to Hohhot and the classic pick — yurts, horse riding, a sunset and a bonfire. Gegentala is further but wilder. Both are set up for visitors; the farther you go, the quieter it gets. For a one-off trip, Xilamuren is the practical choice.
When is the grassland green?
June to September is the green season — July and August are peak, with the steppe at its lushest and the Naadam festival (mid-July) a highlight. May and October are transitional (brown but quiet). Outside the green season the desert and the Hohhot sights still work well.
Is staying in a yurt comfortable?
The tourist yurt camps are comfortable — heated in cool weather, with private bathrooms at the better ones — though 'glamping' rather than authentic. It's the signature experience of the trip and well worth one night. Book ahead in July–August.
Can I do the desert and grassland in one trip?
Yes — they're about 2–3 hours apart via Hohhot, so a 5–6 day loop covers both comfortably. Xiangshawan (Resonant Sand Gorge) is the classic desert stop: camel rides, sandboarding and the singing-dunes phenomenon. See our [weather guide](https://chinotrips.com/how-to/weather-packing-by-season/) for desert packing.