Tongliao 3-Day Guide: Pearl of the Horqin Grassland, Hometown of Empress Xiaozhuang
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Tongliao 3-Day Guide: Pearl of the Horqin Grassland, Hometown of Empress Xiaozhuang
Tongliao, located in eastern Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region at the heart of the Horqin Grassland, is the hometown of the legendary Empress Xiaozhuang Wen of the Qing Dynasty. Here you'll find boundless grasslands, magnificent deserts, pristine forests, and deep Mongol cultural traditions — a severely underrated travel destination. In just three days, we'll guide you through this "Green Pearl of the Horqin Sandy Land."
🌤️ Best Time to Visit
June–August (Golden Season): The grasslands are at their greenest and most picturesque, with temperatures of 20–30°C. Perfect for horseback riding, camping, and catching the Naadam Festival. Book yurt stays well in advance during peak season.
September–October (Maple Season): The Wudantala Five-Pointed Maple Forest Park bursts into vibrant color — home to Asia's largest five-pointed maple forest at its prime viewing period. The desert and grassland landscapes take on rich, layered hues.
December–February (Ice & Snow Season): Experience the Winter Naadam Festival during the Ice and Snow season. Temperatures can drop below -20°C, so pack accordingly!
🚄 Transportation Guide
Mode
Details
Estimated Cost
✈️ Flight
Tongliao Airport serves direct flights to Beijing, Hohhot, Shenyang, Harbin
Beijing→Tongliao ¥400–800
🚄 High-Speed Rail
Tongliao Station connects to Shenyang (~1.5h), Chifeng, Hohhot
Shenyang→Tongliao ¥100–150
🚗 Driving
~700km from Beijing, ~7–8 hours via expressway
Fuel + tolls ¥400–600
🚙 Local Car Rental
Attractions are spread out — renting or hiring a car is highly recommended
¥400–600/day
🚌 Public Transport
Train from city to Ganqika Town, then minibus to Daqinggou (~1.5h)
¥20–30
Tip: Strongly recommended to rent or charter a car. Grassland and desert sites are far apart with limited public transit options. Minibuses to Daqinggou depart from Ganqika Railway Station.
🍜 Must-Eat Local Foods
Dish
Description
Price
Where to Find
🥩 Hand-Pulled Lamb (Shouba Rou)
Boiled lamb in its purest form, dipped in chive flower sauce
Stuffed with lamb and sand onion, crispy outside and juicy inside
¥15–25 each
Hajiuhei Old Shop
🍖 Tongliao BBQ
Lamb tail tip, grilled milk tofu, and sand onion lamb skewers are the holy trinity
¥40–80/person
Yongqing Street Night Market (after 8pm)
🥛 Mongol Morning Tea
Salty milk tea with fried millet, milk skin, and beef jerky — an authentic breakfast
¥25–40/person
Talin Aili Restaurant
🥟 Mongol Steamed Buns
Large buns packed with pure lamb filling, thin skin and abundant meat
¥3–5 each
City Mongolian restaurants
🥡 Beef Jerky
The "Horqin" brand is the most authentic — the #1 souvenir from the grassland
¥80–150/jin
Specialty shops / supermarkets
Heads-up: "Whole Lamb Feasts" at scenic area entrances often use frozen meat — not recommended. Look for the "Horqin" brand when buying beef jerky. Mongol milk tea is salty — give your taste buds a moment to adapt!
📅 3-Day Itinerary
🚶 Day 1: Gallop Across the Grassland, Stars Above a Yurt
Morning: Horqin Grassland / Zhurihe Grassland Tourist Area
Head straight to the grassland upon arriving in Tongliao. Zhurihe Grassland preserves an untouched, wild beauty. Try the "Three Manly Arts of the Mongols" — horseback riding, archery, and wrestling — all in one stop. Professional instructors are on hand, so even beginners can ride safely. The endless grassland under blue skies and white clouds is pure magic for photography.
🎫 Entry: ¥50–80 | Horse Riding: ¥100–150/hour
Lunch: Grassland Yurt Restaurant
Enjoy lunch inside a traditional yurt within the scenic area. Hand-pulled lamb with chive flower sauce is a must-order, paired with a pot of salty milk tea for the most authentic Mongolian dining experience. ¥80–120 per person.
Afternoon: More Grassland Adventures
Catch a Naadam performance (summer only) or ride deeper into the grassland hinterlands. The scene of cattle and sheep grazing amidst wind-swept grasses is iconic Inner Mongolia — every snap is a postcard.
Evening: Overnight in a Grassland Yurt
Both Zhurihe and Horqin Grasslands offer yurt accommodations. At night, look up and you'll see the Milky Way. Yurts are heated, so no need to worry about the cold.
🏕️ Yurt stay: ¥300–500/night (breakfast included)
🚶 Day 2: Primeval Forest + Empress Xiaozhuang's Legacy
Morning: Daqinggou National Nature Reserve (8:00 AM entry)
A true miracle in the Horqin Sandy Land — a deep, beautiful, lush primeval forest gorge known as the "Green Pearl of the Sandy Land." Follow the wooden boardwalk through the subterranean virgin forest, spot the Husband-and-Wife Tree and Five Brothers Tree, and explore the Gadameilin Trail. The reserve also offers rafting and sand sliding.
🎫 Entry: ¥50 | Rafting: ¥60–80
🚗 ~2 hours' drive from Tongliao city center (navigate to "Daqinggou South Gate")
⏰ Recommended time: 3–4 hours
Lunch: Local Farmhouse Restaurant near Daqinggou
Savor rustic farmhouse dishes — braised free-range chicken, scrambled eggs with sand onion, wild mushrooms. ¥40–60 per person.
Afternoon: Xiaozhuangyuan Cultural Tourism Area (14:00–17:00)
Head back toward the city and visit the former residence of Empress Xiaozhuang Wen. The Qing Dynasty princely mansion architecture is grand and imposing, while the holographic theater show vividly recreates Xiaozhuang's legendary life. Wearing Hanfu traditional dress here makes for stunning time-travel photos.
🎫 Entry: ¥60–80 | Hologram Show: ¥50
⏰ Hours: 9:00–17:00
Evening: Yongqing Street Night Market
Tongliao's nightlife starts with barbecue. Lamb tail tips grilled to a smoky crisp, grilled milk tofu crispy outside and chewy inside, and sand onion lamb skewers tender and juicy — all washed down with an ice-cold beer. ¥50–80 per person.
🚶 Day 3: Desert Adventure + Museum Finale
Morning: Tamin Chagan Desert (Depart 8:00 AM)
"Tamin Chagan" means "Devil's Sand" — it's the largest desert in Northeast China. Desert off-road dune bashing, camel trekking across sand ridges, sand sliding… thrilling and incredibly photogenic. Go early to beat the midday heat.
Lunch: Back in the City
Grab a Horqin meat pie and some Mongol steamed buns — simple but deeply satisfying. ¥30–50 per person.
Afternoon: Tongliao Museum (Free, closed Mondays)
Dive into the history and culture of the Horqin Grassland from ancient times to the modern era. Rich collections make this a perfect finale stop. ⏰ Last entry at 16:30; recommend visiting 14:00–16:00.
Before Departure: Souvenir Shopping
Beef jerky (Horqin brand), milk tofu, sea buckthorn jelly, and wild mushroom paste all make excellent gifts. Available at city supermarkets and specialty shops.
💡 Practical Tips
Big Temperature Swings: Day-night temperature differences on the grassland can exceed 15°C. Bring a windproof jacket even in summer.
Sun Protection Essentials: UV radiation is intense on both grassland and desert. Sunglasses, sunscreen, a wide-brim hat, and a scarf are non-negotiable.
Book Ahead: During peak season (July–August), book yurts and hotels 3–7 days in advance. Availability tightens further during Naadam.
Respect Local Customs: Don't step on the threshold when entering a yurt, don't point at Buddhist statues, and accept toast offerings from hosts with both hands.
Carry Some Cash: Mobile signal can be unreliable in grassland scenic areas — keep some cash handy.
Insect Protection: Summer brings plenty of mosquitoes and bugs on the grassland. Bring repellent.
Dress Smart: Wear long pants and sports shoes for horseback riding; high-top shoes for the desert to keep sand out.
Budget Estimate: Excluding long-distance transport, budget approximately ¥1,000–1,500 per person for three days (covering accommodation, meals, entry fees, and local transport).
Tongliao is more than just the hometown of Empress Xiaozhuang — it's a pastoral sanctuary where you can slow down, breathe in the boundless grassland, and immerse yourself in authentic Mongol culture. Three days may not be long, but it's enough to fall in love with this land.