For our twelfth episode, we head to Inner Mongolia with WildChina’s own, Susan Li. Inner Mongolia is a long province stretching along China’s northern border. It’s home to vast swathes of grasslands and deserts, and now, cities as well.
On China’s northern edge there is a province that combines the wonder of the desert and the beauty of the grasslands for an experience that will take your breath away; this province is called Inner Mongolia. Similar to the legendary landscape of neighboring Mongolia, Inner Mongolia’s open spaces maintain a feeling of timeless tranquility unlike anywhere else in China.
In this episode, Mei interviews Susan on what it was like growing up in rural Inner Mongolia and how the province is positioned as a modern-day travel destination.
Listen to Episode 12:
Episode Overview:
- 01:47 – Susan’s story of growing up in Inner Mongolia
- 04:40 – Mongolian language and culture
- 08:45 – Inner Mongolia as a travel destination
- 12:43 – Hohhot travel advice
- 15:07 – Grassland recommendation near Hohhot
- 16:30 – How to plan accommodation
- 18:21 – Local products/crafts from Inner Mongolia
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Places, resources and tips mentioned in the podcast:
Grasslands in Inner Mongolia:
- Hulunbuir Grassland (呼伦贝尔草原)
- Horqin Grassland (科尔沁草原)
- Xilin Gol Grassland (锡林郭勒草原)
- Ulan Butong Grassland (乌兰布统草原) (in Chifeng) the south of Xilin Gol Grassland
- Ulan Qab Grassland (乌兰察布草原)
- Urad Grassland (乌拉特草原)
- Ordos Grassland (鄂尔多斯草原)
- Xilanmurn Grassland (希拉穆仁草原)
Hohhot Travel Recommendations
- Mongolian banquet restaurant to try:
- Mongolian cheese
- Mongolian milk tea
- Dazhao monastery (大昭寺)
- Saishang Old Street (赛上老街)
Inner Mongolia Accommodation Recommendations
- Hohhot hotel
- Hulunbuir Homestay with Wuvnen (无南民宿): Can be booked on airbnb or on ctrip
Local crafts and products specific to Inner Mongolia
- Leather painting
- Bloodstone/Heliotrope (鸡血石)
- Mongolian traditional clothes
