Hohhot, the Green Pastures of the North        2008-6-22 11:29:37

es were herded over his tomb and once the grass had returned, the 2,000 laborers who built his tomb were killed by 800 soldiers, who in turn were executed to keep the location a secret.

The Genghis Khan Mausoleum isn't close to Hohhot, but it deserves special mention. The mausoleum is best reached by long-distance buses; the closest cities are Baotou and Dongsheng. The towering blue roofed domes of the three yurt-like structures will rise about the plain long before you actually arrive. A massive 5m tall statue of the Khan on horseback gazes out over the grasslands he once roamed and ruled. Though his remains aren't actually housed in the mausoleum, there are enough artifacts here to keep any would-be world conqueror occupied. Weapons, saddles and numerous other

The Mausoleum of Genghis Khan honors the ethnic Mongolian's most reverved ancestor

artifacts including replica of his, his wives' and brothers' coffins around displayed throughout the mausoleum.

The mausoleum is an important pilgrimage destination for ethnic Mongolians and chances are you'll meet groups of Mongolians who've come here to pay their respects to their most famous kin.

About 90km away from Hohhot is Xilamuren, where the Great Wall runs across Inner Mongolia. Here one can experience life on the grasslands and in a yurt, a traditional Mongolian tent-like structure made from sheep's hide. While it isn't completely authentic, it's a resort after all, on the flipside; the rough living of nomadic life has been toned down in favor of comfort and convenience. Horseback riding, performances by traditional dancers and singers as well as treks into the hinterland are all available. The more adventurous might want to try some camel riding or how about going head-to-head with a Mongolian wrestler?

Visiting a Mongolian family inside on their yurts offers an interesting glimpse into a rapidly changing lifestyle. Mongolians are famous for their hospitality (despite what you may think of Genghis) and many tour packages include a stay with a family. A small gift is a great ice-breaker; tea is an always welcomed gift.

A great time to visit Inner Mongolia is during Nadaam Festival  when traditional Mongolian competitions such as wrestling, archery and horse and camel races occur. The festival is the high point for the Mongolians and every year families from throughout the region congregate around Hohhot in a makeshift campground. The festival's date depends on the Mongolian lunar calendar, but usually
falls from mid-July to mid-August.

Memorable Experiences
Riding on a galloping horse as he decides to ignore my instructions and takes off on his on volition, leaving me to sit on the saddle and hope he knows where he's going.
Spending a night in a yurt while eating and drinking with a voluble Mongolian family.

Practical Tips
The best travel time is from July to September. The weather is mild and the animals most active.

Tranportation
Airport -Baita Airport is east of Hohhot, about 9kin from downtown. It takes 15 minutes by taxi or 30 minutes by airport shuttle bus from the airport to downtown.

Taxi - Flag-fall is RMB 6.

The Best of Hohhhot
Dazhao Temple
Add:  Dazhao Qian Jie, Yuquan District
Open Time:  8am to 6pm
Charge: RMB 10

Tomb of Wang Zhaojun
Add:  6km south of Hohhot
Open Time:  8am to 6pm
Charge: RMB 18

Hotels
inner Mongolia Hotel  ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï
Add: Wulanchabu Xi Lu
Charge: 788 - double room

Mongolian wrestling during the Nadaam Festival

Phoenix Hotel  ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï
Add:  Xincheng Bei Jie
Charge:  600 - double room

Yitai Hotel ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï
Add: 69 Dongying Nan Jie, Saihan Lu
Charge:  688 - double room, peak-season
         383 - double room, off- season

Pearl Inner Mongolia Hotel 
Add:  2 Xincheng Bei Jie гDZ±½Ö2ºÅ
Charge:  600 - double room, peak-season
         560 - double room, off-season

Zhaojun Hotel               
Add:  53 Xinhua Da Jie 
Charge: 600 - double room, peak-season
        260 - double room, off-season
 
Food £¦ Restaurants
The food of Hohhot combines is a mixture of northern Chinese and ethnic Mongolian flavors. Traditional Mongolian dishes include roasted whole sheep , milk tea  and oat flour noodles. For you gluttons, the roasted sheep is daubed with salt then coated with a mixture of chopped ginger, scallions and pepper. It's then roasted in an oven for about an hour when it turns golden brown. Milk tea is a traditional favourite of the Mongolians. It's made with hot tea and fresh milk; some like to add a little salt, butter or cooked millet to the tea. Shoupa rou is a popular traditional dish that has been enjoyed for thousands of years. Mutton is simply boiled and when it's cooked, diners help themselves using their hands or small knives. Shao mei  is a kind of steamed dumpling that's a local delicacy, with an irresistible aroma.

Visiting a traditional yurt and having a down-home traditional Mongolian meal is