Expert: Tom Carter ~ Travel China Expert - 7/13/2008

Question
Me and a friend are currently in Hohhot (only for a week) and were looking for recommendations as to what to do. We really want to check out the grasslands and desert, but dont really want to go through a travel agency and dont want to see anything too commercialized. Which grasslands and desert would you recommend? How do we find a place to stay - can we just ask someone when we get there or would that be considered strange/rude? Also do you know a way to get to 希拉穆仁？Is there a train or bus? Anything else you've seen that you would recommend?

Thanks!
Dena

Answer
Hi Dena,
Had you postponed your trip one more week you would have arrived in Inner Mongolia just in time for the Naadam Festival, which is Mongolia's most important celebration.
But do not despair, as Inner Mongolia is one of China's most adventurous provinces and you'll have a fun time no matter your date or location.
You don't need to depend on any travel agency to visit the grasslands or deserts. Just go to Hohhot's main bus station on Chezhan Xijie (next to the train station) and ask to go to Gegentala. You'll have to change busses at one point, so you might want to ask the youth hostel attendant in Hohhot to explain the route to you. Once you arrive in Gegentala, there will be several options for you to camp out in yurt tents or go on horseback expeditions into the frontier. The locals will be preparing and practicing for the Naadam Festival, so you might even catch a glimpse of some of the games.
As for deserts, Resonant Sand Gorge is probably your best bet. Catch a bus from Hohhot to Dongsheng (Ordos), then at Ordos catch a shuttle to Yimeng Xiangshawan. You can also camp out in a yurt tent there (past the expensive hotels in the parking lot, down the slope and directly along the river).
As with any popular travel destination in China, you will encounter touts and independent entrepreneurs trying to enlist you in their tours or private excursions. Use your best judgement when deciding if they are legit or not, and always remember to negotiate.
Have fun!!!
Tom Carter
http://www.tomcarter.org
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