 A
famous historical and cultural city along the north boundary, Hohhot
is home to more than 50 temples. Also, as a pearl of grassland,
the natural surrounding of Hohhot is particularly amazing.
Dazhao
Temple is in the old city of Hohhot. This is the earliest temple
in Hohhot with a history of over 400 years. The temple is entirely
patterned after Chinese temples except for the main hall, which
is patterned after a Tibetan Lama temple. In the middle of the Buddha
hall sits a silver Buddha statute, which provides Dazhao Temple
with its alternative name of Silver Buddha Temple.
Gegentala
Grassland is 145 kilometers (90miles) from Hohhot. Gegentala
Grassland means summer camp or a resort from the heat in Mongolian.
The travel resort is near where princes used to live. The Hohhot-Xilinhaote
provincial special line reaches Gegentala directly in 3.5 hours.
Tourists can enjoy the beautiful scenery of grassland, the hospitality
of herdsmen and the experience of camel riding, horse racing, archery,
wrestling, etc. As a 4A class tourism spot, Gegentala Grassland
tourism center has been well developed with accommodation gers,
restaurants and entertainment centers.
Xilamuren
Grassland is a typical altiplano prairie, with exuberant grass
and vigorous wildflowers in summer and autumn. Situated 100 kilometers
(62miles) from Hohhot, the grassland is also known as Zhaohe because
of its Lama Temple-Puhui Temple. Behind Puhui Temple flows Xilamuren
River, yellow river in Mongolian. Tourists can go across the bridge
to Abinlebao Hill to admire the boundless prairie.
Aobao,
a stone pile, was originally a land mark in the boundless grassland.
As the grassland was far away from mountains, people gradually began
to regard aobao as a mountain where they could worship gods. Such
worship ceremonies can last several days and are also used as an
opportunity for young people to date. The famous folk song Date
at aobao may be a product of this custom. It is also said that if
you pick up a stone and walk around aobao three times in a clockwise
direction, make a wish, and then put the stone back at aobao, your
wish will be fulfilled.
Zhaojun
Tomb is one of the eight major sights in Hohhot. It is located
near Hei He River, 9km (5.59 miles) from Hohhot. Zhaojun was one
of the four ancient belles. She was married to the King of Hun by
the Han Emperor for political reasons. Zhaojun Tomb is also known
as Green Tomb since story has it that every autumn the grass on
the tomb remains lush while all the rest dies with the season. The
scenery surrounding the tomb varies from morning to evening, adding
a touch of mystery to its beauty.
For those interested in history, the Inner Mongolia
Museum would be a good place to visit. Located at East Xinhua Street,
this museum covers an area of 5, 000 square meters (53, 821 square
feet). The collection here has distinctive ethnic and local features.
Cultural relics of Hun, Donghu, Wuhuan, Xianbei, Turki, Qidan, Nvzhen,
Dangxiang and Mongolian nationalities have a large share in the
total collection. Rare treasures include crown decorations of Hun
kings, headgear of Xianbei, etc.
Wanbu
Huayanjin Pagoda , Five-Pagoda
Temple and Xilituzhao
Palace are also among the most popular Buddhism resorts in
Hohhot. |