Hohhot, meaning “Blue City” in the Mongolian language, is the capital of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Inner Mongolia itself covers an enormous expanse of land, stretching from the Gobi Desert in the west to the Argun River along the Sino-Russian border in the northeast. Some 15 percent of the region's population is made up of ethnic Mongols, the descendents of Genghis Khan .
Founded by Altan Khan in the 16th century, Hohhot gets its name of “Blue City” from the azure skies above it. Numerous temples and lamaseries sprang up around Hohhot over the centuries, and it now serves as the main starting point for grassland tours. It is also a great place to experience the most important traditional Mongolian festival of Naadam.
Of its temples, Dazhao Lamasery and Xilitu Lamasery are the best known. Located in the old quarter of Hohhot to the southwest of the train station, the Dazhao Lamasery is the city's earliest and largest lamasery. It's also known as the Silver Buddha Temple (Yinfo Si), called so after its 2.5-meter-high Buddha statue that was cast mostly from silver. Nine kilometers south of Hohhot is the tomb of Wang Zhaojun, one of Chinese four ancient beauties. She was a concubine in the Western Han Dynasty (206-25 AD) that later wedded Prince Huhanxie in a marriage of peace.
The Mongolian Naadam Fair takes place between July and August each year when the pastures are at their greenest. In Hohhot, the festival is held at horse racing grounds (saimachang). The fair features traditional Mongolian sports such as horse racing, wrestling, archery and other competitions as well as theatrical performances.
Hohhot food is perfect for meat lovers – it is often laden with mutton and lamb. The Mongolian hotpot is regarded as the pinnacle of local food – a large pot of seasoned boiling water is placed on a burner in the center of the table, and hunks of meat, tofu and vegetables are added and eaten when cooked. Roasted legs of lamb are also popular, as are hand-held mutton and oat flour.
There are dozens of local markets around the city, and there you can buy elaborately designed Mongolian daggers, Mongolian tents, cashmere sweaters, traditional Mongolian suits and camel hair products. All are available for the lowest possible price, and haggling is not just encouraged, it is obligatory!
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