Rough Guide to Hohhot Travel

Rough Guide to Hohhot Travel

Hohhot is the capital of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China, usually referred to as Inner Mongolia. It sits in vast grasslands to the south of the central portion of the region, and has been a popular destination for Mongol nomads for over a thousand years.

The city is growing into a modern capital, though much of its charm comes from the close connection it has to its Mongol traditions. The largest industry in Hohhot is the dairy industry which sprung up from the expertise of local herdsmen in the area and it has earned Hohhot the nickname ''the capital of milk''. The two largest dairy brands in China are based here (Yili and Mengniu) producing milk, yoghurt and cheese for the entire country. Proximity to coal deposits places power generation high on the list of the city's revenue earners, and Hohhot is also developing considerable capacity in electronics, IT, pharmaceuticals, metallurgy and chemicals.

For the most part though, Hohhot remains much the same as it has been for centuries: this is especially true away from the urban areas. Any visitor to Hohhot should be sure to spend some time in the grasslands to the north of the city. Several areas have been developed by the local government in recent years, and though these spots lose a little authenticity, they make up for it in breadth of experience. Visitors can ride with herdsmen, sample traditional foods such as roasted mutton and milky bean-curd and watch displays of archery, dancing and wrestling. Staying in a yurt with a local Mongol family is the highlight of a trip to the grasslands:

The annual Nadam Fair has been a feature of life in the grasslands around Hohhot for over seven centuries. It brings together nomadic peoples from all over the region to compete in traditional sports, celebrate through dance and song and discuss the business of survival in the grasslands.

The Mongol people have been producing cheese and yoghurt for centuries. Mare's milk from Mongolian horses is a local delicacy and regarded as especially precious, doubly so once it has been fermented to produce a slightly pungent alcoholic drink called koumiss. The milk is reputed to have beneficial effects including increased circulation and helping to fight off the effects of cold weather. The menu in Hohhot is dominated by mutton. The most typical dish is a roasted whole sheep: a delicacy that could once only be enjoyed by Khans (rulers) due to the expense and complicated cooking process. Smaller chunks of mutton are roasted, boiled and stewed, served up alongside fried rice and milky tea to provide nourishing and delicious meals.

The transport network in Hohhot is small but perfectly formed, allowing visitors to tour the city easily. Hotels and shopping centers have sprung up in the city centre, where a vast array of Mongolian products comes together in an Aladdin's cave of knickknacks and souvenirs. Mongolian silverware and woven carpets are particularly well regarded, but clothes made from local cashmere as well as various leather goods may be easier to transport home.

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