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Wudang Zhao Temple (五当召)
About 70 km northeast of Baotou, Wudang Zhao is one of the four great lamaseries of Inner Mongolia — a Tibetan Buddhist monastery complex built between 1749 and 1835, during the height of Qing Dynasty patronage of Tibetan Buddhism.
The complex extends over a substantial hillside, with six large sutra halls, three living Buddha’s residences and numerous ancillary buildings rising up the slope. The architecture is a distinctive blend of Tibetan monastery style (whitewashed stone walls, gilt finials) with Chinese imperial influences — reflecting the Qing approach to integrating Mongolian and Tibetan Buddhism within the imperial system.
At its peak, Wudang Zhao housed over 2,000 monks. Today it maintains an active monastic community of several hundred monks, making it a genuine living religious institution rather than simply a heritage site.
What to see:
- Suchindur Dukhang (苏古沁独宫): The main assembly hall, housing a massive gilded statue and vibrant murals of the Tibetan pantheon
- Sandan Dukhang (三殿): A hall dedicated to philosophy and debate; large murals depicting Buddhist cosmology
- Living Buddha’s Residence: The traditional home of the monastery’s senior lama
Best visiting time: Early morning on weekdays, before tour groups arrive. Monk gatherings (puja) for major Buddhist festivals create extraordinary atmospheric scenes — check the Tibetan Buddhist calendar for major dates.
Tickets: ¥50 ($7). Open daily 08:00–17:30. Transport: Direct buses from Baotou East Bus Station, 1.5 hours, ¥30 ($4). Or taxi for ¥150–¥200 ($21–$28) one way.
Kubuqi Desert (库布其沙漠)
The Kubuqi Desert is China’s 7th largest desert, stretching along the north bank of the Yellow River south of Baotou. It has been the subject of China’s largest desert greening project, with 6,000 square kilometres of sand dunes having been stabilised or revegetated since the 1980s. The remaining dune fields provide spectacular desert landscapes accessible from Baotou within 1–2 hours.
The best areas for visitor access are around Ejin Horo Banner (鄂尔多斯市伊金霍洛旗) and the Seven Stars Lake (七星湖) resort area within the desert.
Activities:
- Camel riding (¥80–¥150 per hour)
- Sand-boarding on the big dunes (¥50–¥80)
- Desert camping overnight (packages from ¥300–¥600 per person including meals and tent)
- Sunset/sunrise photography from the ridge dunes
Getting there: Bus from Baotou to Ejin Horo or arranged tour from Baotou hotels (full-day tours from ¥350–¥500 per person including transport).
Yellow River Bend — Hetao Plain (黄河内蒙古段)
The Yellow River makes a dramatic northward bend through Inner Mongolia before turning south again, creating the Hetao Plain — China’s most productive irrigated agricultural area outside the Wei River valley. The river scenery in the Baotou section is impressive, particularly at the wetland areas where the river widens over sandy flats.
Sanshenggong Water Conservancy Area (三盛公水利枢纽): A large dam and reservoir on the Yellow River about 100 km west of Baotou, with a surrounding park that provides a good overview of the river’s scale. Open to visitors; tickets ¥20 ($3).
Meilidai Lake (梅力更水库区)
In the hills 30 km north of Baotou, this scenic valley combines a small reservoir, temple ruins (Meilidai Monastery, largely destroyed in the Cultural Revolution but partially rebuilt) and accessible forest walks. Good for a half-day escape from the city.
Baotou’s Rare Earth Story
Baotou sits above the world’s largest known rare earth deposit — Bayan Obo (白云鄂博) — which supplies approximately 40% of the world’s rare earth production. These elements are essential components in everything from mobile phone speakers to wind turbines to electric vehicle motors.
The rare earth industry has profoundly shaped Baotou’s landscape and ecology. The separation waste has created a large tailings pond north of the city that is visible from satellite imagery and has been the subject of significant environmental concern.
The Inner Mongolia Museum of Rare Earths in Baotou explains the industry’s history and importance; tickets ¥30 ($4). No tours of active mining or processing facilities are available to tourists.
Getting to Baotou
From Hohhot (Huhhot)
High-speed rail: Hohhot East to Baotou East, approximately 30–40 minutes; tickets ¥35–¥55 ($5–$8). Very frequent services. This is the main gateway for travellers arriving from Beijing.
Bus: Regular coaches from Hohhot to Baotou, 2 hours, ¥40–¥55 ($6–$8).
From Beijing
High-speed rail: Beijing to Hohhot (2.5 hours), then connecting service to Baotou. Total approximately 3.5–4 hours.
Overnight train: Direct sleepers from Beijing to Baotou; approximately 8 hours. Economical for overnight travel.
By air
Baotou Erlian Airport (BAV) has direct flights from Beijing (1.5 hours), Shanghai (3 hours), Chengdu, Xi’an and other major cities.
Where to Stay
Budget (¥100–¥200 / $14–$28): Chain hotels near the two main stations (Baotou Station and Baotou East Station). Hanting Express and 7 Days Inn are reliable options.
Mid-range (¥250–¥450 / $35–$63): Baotou International Hotel (保头国际大酒店) is centrally located. Hilton Garden Inn Baotou is a newer mid-range option with Western standards.
Near desert: Desert resorts around Kubuqi provide atmospheric glamping; from ¥400–¥800/night ($56–$112) depending on season and facility.
Best Time to Visit
Autumn (September–October): The best overall time — warm dry days, good visibility for photography. Desert dunes in autumn light are beautiful.
Spring (April–May): Desert wildflowers; fewer tourists.
Summer (June–August): Intense heat in the desert (up to 42°C at noon); desert visits best limited to morning/evening. Grasslands are green and accessible.
Winter: -20°C or colder. Not recommended for outdoor exploration; Wudang Zhao in snow is spectacular but logistics are challenging.
Inner Mongolia Cuisine
Baotou’s food reflects the Mongolian pastoral tradition alongside significant Han Chinese influence.
Must-eat:
- Mongolian barbecue (蒙古烤羊): Whole lamb or ribs roasted over charcoal
- Shaomai (烧卖): Inner Mongolian-style dumplings filled with mutton and onion — different from Cantonese dim sum with the same name
- Milk tea (奶茶): Traditional salted milk tea with roasted millet — served throughout the day
- Crispy roasted lamb (烤全羊): A celebratory dish; advance ordering usually required
Restaurants: The old town area around Qingshan District has concentrated authentic Mongolian restaurants.
Practical Tips
- Air quality: Baotou has industrial air quality issues. Check AQI before planning outdoor activities; avoid heavy exercise on high pollution days (common in winter and spring).
- Language: Mandarin Chinese is standard; very limited English. Some menus in tourist restaurants have basic English.
- Desert safety: The Kubuqi Desert is easily accessible from established resorts but can be genuinely disorienting away from marked trails. Don’t venture deep into unmarked desert without a guide.
- Combine with Hohhot: The classic Inner Mongolia circuit is: Hohhot (2 nights for the Museum of Inner Mongolia and Xilamuren Grassland) + Baotou (1–2 nights for Wudang Zhao and desert).
Final Word
Baotou won’t win beauty contests on its own terms — it’s an industrial city with some serious environmental issues. But as a base for two of Inner Mongolia’s most remarkable sites (Wudang Zhao and the Kubuqi Desert), it’s strategically essential. And the monastery alone justifies the trip: it’s one of the finest pieces of Tibetan Buddhist architecture in China outside of Tibet itself.