Flanked by the Yinshan Mountains, Baotou is the biggest city on the Mongolian border and features the only grassland in China to be found in the heart of a city.
In Mongolian, Baotou means ‘place where deer live’ and consequently this destination has been nicknamed ‘Deer City’. It offers a rich cultural and historical heritage since settlers moved here 6,000 years ago. Some 2,000 years ago, the Zhao and Qin states set up the Great Wall at this spot and relics in the city’s suburbs still show the significance of Baotou in ancient times.
Baotouzhao Lamasery, or Fuhui Temple, is the only Mongolian-style lamasery in Baotou, while the grand Baotou Great Mosque is another important structure built when Islamism approached the city.
Batou is a charming city that has been awarded the titles of ‘Garden City’, ‘National Civilized City’ and ‘National Excellent Tourist City’. Visiting the Mongolian yurts, eating mutton with your (right) hand and drinking a bowl of milk tea while enjoying the graceful Mongolian dancing and singing are great ways to take in the local customs.
Getting There & Away
Baotou’s modern airport provides scheduled flights to many bigger cities in China. Beijing is about 1 hour, 30 minutes. Major rail lines cross in the city, including Jingbao (Beijing to Baotou) and Baolan (Baotou to Lanzhou). Furthermore, rail service extends to Shanghai and Ningbo in the southeast, to Yinchuan in the west and to Taiyuan and Xian in the south. National highways 110 and 210 connect Baotou with various other cities, while the Hubao Expressway links Baotou with Hohhot, the capital of Inner Mongolia.
Things to Do
Baotou Attractions
- Fuhui Temple
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Also known as baotouzhao lamasery, this is the sole mongolian-
style lamasery in the city.