Hohhot is the capital of Inner Mongolia, a city of temples and historical sites set on a plain between the Daqing Shan mountains to the north and the Hetao Plateau to the south. It is known across China for its cultural background and its role in the dairy industry, and it draws travellers interested in Mongol and Buddhist heritage.
For a visitor, the useful geography is simple: the old temple core and the historic fortress town sit close together at the centre, the main railway station and university area lie to the north and east, and newer development spreads eastward, including an administrative quarter built around an artificial lake. This guide covers which areas make a practical base, and what kind of accommodation you will find in each.
Best areas to stay in Hohhot
1. Downtown Hohhot
The bustling downtown area is the most convenient base for a first visit. It puts you within reach of the city's historical sites and temples, which are the main reason most travellers come, and it is where the city's best-known luxury accommodation is concentrated, alongside restaurants and bars serving Chinese and Western food.
It suits first-time visitors and anyone who wants to walk out of their door into the thick of things. If you are relying on public transport, note that some of the budget and mid-range options elsewhere in the city sit on bus routes into the centre rather than in it.
2. Xincheng District
Xincheng District lies to the north and east of the centre and includes the area around Inner Mongolia University of Technology. It is the most practical choice for backpackers and budget travellers, with youth hostel-style accommodation and dorm beds, and it has a student feel rather than a tourist one.
It is a good fit if you want cheap beds and a sociable, low-key setting, and you do not mind taking a bus to reach the central sights.
3. Saihan District
Saihan District covers a broad swathe of the city's south and east and appears repeatedly as an address for guesthouses and mid-range and upper-range hotels. It is a mixed, spread-out district rather than a single walkable quarter, so the exact corner you choose matters more here than in the centre.
It suits travellers who want a quieter, more residential base, and those arriving by train, since at least one guesthouse here is reachable on city buses from the station. Expect to use buses or taxis for most trips to the sights.
4. Jinqiao Development Zone
The Jinqiao Development Zone is a modern, planned part of the city and is home to large-format luxury hotels with extensive facilities. It is the choice for travellers prioritising spacious rooms, on-site dining and leisure facilities over proximity to the old town.
It suits business travellers and those who prefer a contemporary hotel environment. Because it is a development zone rather than a historic quarter, plan on travelling to the temples and old core rather than strolling to them.
5. The far east side
The city's far east side began developing around 2000 and now holds the municipal government, most of the autonomous region's administrative buildings, an artificial lake called Ruyi He, and a large number of condominiums. It is a modern residential and administrative area rather than a tourist district.
It suits longer stays, visitors with business in the government quarter, and anyone who values new housing and open space. It is the least convenient base for the classic sights, so treat it as a base only if your plans take you east anyway.
6. The old temple core and Huimin district
The town grew up around the Da Zhao Temple, and Hui merchants later settled north of the old fortress gate, building a mosque there in 1693; their descendants formed the nucleus of the modern Huimin district. Staying in or beside this historic core puts the city's temple heritage on your doorstep.
It suits travellers whose priority is history and atmosphere, and who want to be close to the monuments rather than in a modern hotel zone. Accommodation here is more modest in scale than in the development zones, so book early in the summer high season.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: guesthouses and youth hostels, largely in Saihan and Xincheng districts, offering dorm beds and simple double rooms, sometimes with shared cooking facilities, internet access and train station pick-up.
- Mid-range: conventional city hotels on main roads such as Zhaowuda Road and West Zhongshan Road, with standard rooms and services aimed at domestic business and leisure travellers.
- Splurge: large international-standard hotels in the downtown area and the Jinqiao Development Zone, with multiple restaurants and bars, indoor swimming pools, fitness centres and meeting facilities.
- Also worth knowing: the famous local form of accommodation is the round yurt, which is a feature of the region rather than of the city centre.
Best area for a first visit
Stay downtown for a first visit. It is the bustling core, it keeps you close to the historical sites and temples that define the city, and it has the widest choice of restaurants, bars and full-service hotels. From there you can reach the other districts by bus or taxi without committing your whole trip to a single outlying zone.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time of year to book a stay in Hohhot?
Summers are hot and somewhat humid, and more than half the annual rain falls in July and August, so this is the period to book ahead. Winters are long, cold and very dry, with January averaging around −10 °C, and spring brings strong winds.
Which areas are easiest to reach from the train station?
Some guesthouse accommodation in Saihan District is reachable from the train station on city buses, with stops near the Inner Mongolia Hospital. Downtown is also straightforward by bus or taxi.
Can I stay in a yurt in Hohhot?
The yurt is the famous local form of accommodation, but it is a regional tradition rather than a city-centre option. If a yurt stay is important to you, plan it as part of your wider Inner Mongolia itinerary rather than as your Hohhot base.
Do I need to be near the old town to see the temples?
No. The historic temple core and the Huimin district put the monuments within walking distance, but the downtown area is also close to the historical sites, and the outlying districts are connected by bus and taxi.
Compare live prices for your dates with the booking tools on this page before you decide.