Baotou Citywalk: 3-Day Itinerary — Nomadic Soul of the Grassland Steel City
Schwarz
Baotou Citywalk: 3-Day Itinerary — Nomadic Soul of the Grassland Steel City
Overview
Baotou, meaning "place with deer" in Mongolian, is Inner Mongolia's largest city — where steel mills meet grasslands, and Tibetan Buddhism meets nomadic culture. Three days to explore the Wudangzhao Lamasery (Little Potala Palace), gallop across Xilamuren Grassland, and taste steaming shaomai with milk tea.
Best Season: Jun–Sep | Budget: ¥1,200–2,000 Transport: 3 hrs from Beijing by HSR, 1 hr from Hohhot
Day 1: Tibetan Buddhism × Urban Grassland
Morning: Wudangzhao Lamasery
One of China's three great Tibetan Buddhist monasteries. White-walled, gold-roofed, cascading down a mountainside. 6 halls with thangkas, murals, and bronze mandalas. ¥60, 1.5 hrs by car.
Afternoon: Saihan Tara Ecological Park
Asia's largest urban grassland — 770 hectares in the city center. Horse riding, camel rides, Mongolian milk tea in a yurt. Free, 10 min taxi from downtown.
Evening: Baotou Shaomai
Paper-thin steamed lamb dumplings (~¥25/basket). Try Laosuiyuan Shaomai House.
Day 2: Grassland Day
Full Day: Xilamuren Grassland
90 km from Baotou, the nearest accessible grassland. Horseback riding (¥100–200/hr), yurt stays, Mongolian wrestling and horse-racing shows. Evening bonfire + whole roast lamb (¥800/8 people). Yurt stay ¥200–400 with breakfast.
Day 3: Weapons City × Yellow River Wetlands
Morning: Northern Weapons City
China's only military weapons theme park. Climb into real tanks, pose with cannons and fighter jets. ¥30.
Afternoon: Nanhai Wetland (¥40) + Meidaizhao Lamasery (¥30)
Nanhai: Yellow River oxbow lake wetlands — lotus, reeds, migratory birds. Meidaizhao: Ming Dynasty Tibetan Buddhist temple with exquisite murals.
Food List
- Hand-grabbed lamb: Boiled mutton with chive flower dip
- Roast lamb leg: ¥120
- Milk tea + cream skin + fried millet — Mongolian breakfast trio
- Oat noodles (Youmian): Dipped in lamb soup
Practical Info
- Airport: Baotou Donghe, flights from Beijing/Shanghai
- HSR: Baotou Station, 3 hrs from Beijing
- Stay: Shangri-La/Wanda ¥400–800; yurts ¥200–400
- Grassland: big day-night temperature gap, bring jacket
- No photos inside temples, remove hats and shoes