Highlights
- The classic 1-day grassland from Hohhot — yurts, horse riding and Mongolian feasts
- Xilamuren Grassland is wide and slow — the point is the horizon, the breeze and the nomad camps.
- Golden-hour photography is the payoff: grass turns amber at 18:00–19:30.
Grassland day loop
6 hours — Do viewpoints at morning light, horseback at noon, sunset over the ridge.
1h
Drive/transit to the grassland rim — first panorama
2h
Horse riding or hiking across the meadows
1h
Nomad camp — yurt visit, milk tea & culture
2h
Sunset viewpoint, then return drive with the sky show
What to know
Getting there
Fly/rail to Baotou, then 1–2 h drive to the grassland — hire a car or join a day tour (roads are empty).
Insider tips
- Altitude is 1,500–3,500 m — take it slow, carry water and sun protection.
- Yurt stays need a pre-booking; horse riding is safer with the ranch's own guide.
Where to stay
Stay in Baotou (mid-range ¥300–600; luxury from ¥800) — see the hotel map layer.