the word 'Mongolia' would spark off thoughts of the homeland of Genghis Khan; where adventure and exploration of the boundless spaces and stretching horizons await...
perhaps being in SH this while has set off the 'Mulan' in me, being random enough to decide to explore Hohhot, Inner Mongolia during the Qingming Holidays (which is the wrong season, still WINTER!)
but boy, i'm glad i did; a journey of self-discovery!
Accomodation: Anda Guesthouse http://andaguesthouse.com/
Address: 内蒙古呼和浩特市赛罕区桥靠西街中段，内蒙古大学东校区北门东侧20米路北安达客栈
*simple and free breakfast of bread+apple jam+tea included
you can contact Zorigoo (the hostel owner) at 15947519807 or andaguesthouse@hotmail.com
there were 6 of us in total, and i bargained for free airport transfer to and fro, as such total cost per pax (tour + 3nights stay at Anda guesthouse) = 990 RMB
Additional Expenses (optional); horse-riding 90rmb/hr, camel-ride 150rmb/hr
29th March, Thursday: overnight at Carina's house where i gotta meet the easiest-going bunch of ppl :)
really like to thank Chloe, Choon Long, Jingwen, Carina and Geraldina for being such awesome traveling mates! special thanks to Choon Long and Carina for taking such beautiful photos!
30th March, Friday: Arrive in Hohhot – airport transfer to Anda Guesthouse
Its about 30mins drive from Baita International Airport (HET) to Hohhot city center.
peek into our 6-bed dorm! really spacious and well-heated
Its about 30mins drive from Baita International Airport (HET) to Hohhot city center.
peek into our 6-bed dorm! really spacious and well-heated
got to befriend a french lady Melondine at Anda Guesthouse, she has been travelling in China ALONE! 0.0
check out our mongolian outfits!
1st day in Inner Mongolia and we kena SANDSTORM!
The Great Mosque, the oldest and largest mosque in the city built in 1693 in Chinese style. there a small food street just outside where you can try the local snacks :)
the mosque is really green! it will fit right in place in Oz!
check out our mongolian outfits!
1st day in Inner Mongolia and we kena SANDSTORM!
The Great Mosque, the oldest and largest mosque in the city built in 1693 in Chinese style. there a small food street just outside where you can try the local snacks :)
the mosque is really green! it will fit right in place in Oz! 31st March, Saturday: departing for our 3D2N roadtrip
1st stop: Xilamuren Grassland
having lunch at one of the 阿姨's house, not exactly mongolian food, tho mutton is a typical dish
情师傅 (our driver) and Gwang (our guide)
阿姨's house on the left, our ger on the right
the ger can fit up to 10 pax, all happily snuggled, but the 6 of us decided to split - 3 pax into 1 ger to take adv of the space!
for those planning to stay in a ger in future, take heed:cover the doorway with a blanket to block the cold wind! otherwise you end up shivering all night like me! :(
trying our hand at archery!pace of life in Inner Mong is really slow, you definitely know you are in the countryside, as you drive past herds of sheep, cows and horses...
burning dried cow dung for our bonfire! surprisingly its not smelly! Choon Long had tons of fun picking them, while me and Chloe looked on! haha
am proud of myself for surviving 3D2N without bathing! 1st thing i told everyone on the way back to Anda: i'm bathing 1st! haha out there, the nature is your toliet, which is a huge step for me, given how anal i am about clean toliets and hygiene! (i did wipe myself daily kzk)
3rd - 4th April: taking it slow back in Hohhot city
burning dried cow dung for our bonfire! surprisingly its not smelly! Choon Long had tons of fun picking them, while me and Chloe looked on! haha1st April, Sunday: moving on to Uudan Lama Temple
请师傅 wanted to take us all the way to the foot of the mountain that we could trek, but the van got stuck in mud, then kena puntured tyre!
at the foot of the mountains, there's still ice on the path!
exploring Uudan Temple in the evening, really pretty and serene!
at Uudan, we were hosted by 漂亮阿姨 (yep, i told her so too! haha)
请师傅 wanted to take us all the way to the foot of the mountain that we could trek, but the van got stuck in mud, then kena puntured tyre!
at the foot of the mountains, there's still ice on the path!
exploring Uudan Temple in the evening, really pretty and serene!
at Uudan, we were hosted by 漂亮阿姨 (yep, i told her so too! haha)2nd April: desert warriors!
we all chose to take the camel ride out, but the strong winds out at the desert was insane! causing me to squint my alr small eyes... -.-
we all chose to take the camel ride out, but the strong winds out at the desert was insane! causing me to squint my alr small eyes... -.-
am proud of myself for surviving 3D2N without bathing! 1st thing i told everyone on the way back to Anda: i'm bathing 1st! haha out there, the nature is your toliet, which is a huge step for me, given how anal i am about clean toliets and hygiene! (i did wipe myself daily kzk)
3rd - 4th April: taking it slow back in Hohhot city
we tried You Mien, a tasteless flour-dish that you dip into soup (good for diabetic)
my artistic vandalism at Anda!tho simple, it was fun as i recall the good people, the good food, and the beautiful sceneries :)
other tourist attractions you can check out:
- 大召寺 门票 30元
- 席力图召 门票 30元
Address: 112 Danan Street, Yuquan District (Opposite大召寺)
The largest Buddhist temple in the city and main seat of Buddhism in Inner Mongolia.
- 五榕寺 门票 35元 (About 20 minutes walk southeast of大召寺). An Indian style temple constructed in 1732. Famous for its frescos of 1,500 carved figures of Buddha, the inscription of the Diamond Sutra and an engraved Mongolian star chart.
- 昭君墓 门票 65元 (Take bus No. 6 from Da Zhao, switch to bus No. 44 that will take you there). The resting place of Han princess who voluntarily married a nomad Hun chief to secure peace. She is attributed with the ability to perform miracles. Also contains a small but interesting museum about the Huns including English captions.
- 大召寺 门票 30元
- 席力图召 门票 30元
Address: 112 Danan Street, Yuquan District (Opposite大召寺)
The largest Buddhist temple in the city and main seat of Buddhism in Inner Mongolia.
- 五榕寺 门票 35元 (About 20 minutes walk southeast of大召寺). An Indian style temple constructed in 1732. Famous for its frescos of 1,500 carved figures of Buddha, the inscription of the Diamond Sutra and an engraved Mongolian star chart.
- 昭君墓 门票 65元 (Take bus No. 6 from Da Zhao, switch to bus No. 44 that will take you there). The resting place of Han princess who voluntarily married a nomad Hun chief to secure peace. She is attributed with the ability to perform miracles. Also contains a small but interesting museum about the Huns including English captions.
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