Travel Destinations: Baotou, Inner Mongolia, China

Baotou is the biggest city in Inner Mongolia, one of the largest provinces in China. Not only this, but it is one of the drabbest cities in the province, being a dreary industrial city. There may not be much to see and do in this particular city, but most people travel here as a gateway and transit point to Mongolia and other cities in the province.

Baotou is around 20km in size and is separated into east and west. Most travellers will opt to stay in the eastern area called Donghe despite the western districts, named Kundulun and Qingshan, having more and better services.

Although Baotou itself doesn’t have much in the way of interesting and cultural attractions, there are a few things to see just outside of the city. Start with a trip to Resonant Sand Gorge (Xiangshawan). It seems to be a cross with Inner Mongolian grasslands with the Sahara Desert.



The impressive gorge is part of the Kubuqi desert, complete with dramatic sand dune reaching a height of 110m. You can come here for a day trip from Baotou and experience camel rides and an exciting sand slide, as well as appreciating the beauty of this remarkable desert. The admission fee includes a wonderful cable car ride to and from the entrance, Inner Mongolia’s oldest cable car.

If coming here, it is advisable that you bring plenty of bottled water, sunscreen, sunglasses and cover-ups if you burn easily. Your feet and legs will also need protecting and you can rent some funny looking red booties here to protect you.

The gorge is located about 60km south of Baotou; there are regular buses to here departing from the city’s long distance bus station. The bus will drop you off at Daqi, the nearest town to the gorge, and then you have to hire a taxi to take you directly to the gorge. Alternatively, you can hire a taxi from Baotou but this will set you back Y300.



Wudang Lamasery (Wudang Zhao) was once one of the largest of its king in Inner Mongolia. It was built in 1749, being the home of more than 1200 Tibetan Buddhist monks who belonged to the Gelugpa sect. Come here to admire some beautiful Qing Dynasty murals in the main prayer hall. You can also admire the amazingly beautiful scenery here as well.

You can get to the monastery by catching an air-conditioned bus from outside East Baotou’s long distance bus station which will take you directly to the monastery.