Plan your Inner Mongolia Tour? In the boundless grassland there is a beautiful city of Chifeng (赤峰), where you will find appealing food, fresh cityscape, queer peaks and troves of ancient relics.
It is worth your exploration for 3-7 days. Chifeng is located in the Eastern Inner Mongolia, an important destination in Eastern Inner Mongolia Tour. Its city center is about 417km northeast of Beijing by road. Daily trains and flights easily bring you from Beijing to Chifeng.
Of course, Chifeng’s administrative region is very large with an area of about 90,000 square km, the size of 5 “Beijing”. I’ve rounded up the top 10 attractions in Chifeng, which could be useful planning your own trip to Chifeng.
1. Wulan Butong Grassland 乌兰布统草原
Wulanbutong Grassland is located on the south of Keshiketeng Qi (Hexigten Banner) in Chifeng. It is opposite Weichang (the Saihanba National Forest Park) in Hebei Province, about 500 km north of Beijing.
Check out my another article Wulan Butong Grassland (Tips, Photos & Map) for more information.
Wulanbutong Grassland and the Saihanba National Forest Park used to be the royal hunting ranch ( known as Weichang, or Mulan Paddock ) of the Qing Emperors.
Wulanbutong Grassland boasts the European Style grassland. But its biggest fame mainly comes from the fact that it was the famous battle field where Qing Emperor Kangxi commanded a successful battle against Galdan Boshugtu Khan here in 1690. For more information, see Wulan Butong Grassland.
Entrance Fee: RMB 120
Add: South of Keshiketeng Qi in Chifeng,150km west of Chifeng’s city center and 500km north of Beijing
Best Visit Time: Summer and Autumn
How to Get there: Drive directly from Beijing to Wulan Butong Grassland , or via Chengde or take flights to Chifeng and change for local buses to Wulan Butong.
2. Dalinur Lake 达里诺尔湖
Established as Dali Nur National Nature Reserve in 1997, Dali Nur is the second largest lake in Inner Mongolia, one of the three swan lakes in China with other two being Bayinbuluk Lake in Xinjiang and Panyang Lake in Jiangxi. The nature reserve has an area of 1200 square km aimed at protecting rare birds and their habitat such as lakes, wetland, grassland, deserts and forest.
The lake is located on the southwest of Gong Geer Grassland, 90km to the west of Jingpeng Town in Hexigten Banner (Keshiketeng Qi), 300km to the north of Chifeng, 680km to the north of Beijing. Dali Lake is an enclosed half salty lake with an area of 240 square kilometers and an average depth of 10-13 meters. For more information, see Dalinur Lake.
Check out my another article Dalinur Lake (Tips, Photos & Map) for more information.
Entrance Fee: RMB 70
Add: On the southwest of Gong Geer Grassland, 300km north of Chifeng and 680km north of Beijing
Best Visit Time: Summer and Autumn
How to Get there
First take the overnight trains from Beijing North Railway Station to Chifeng, then from Chifeng, you take a long-distance bus to Jingpeng Town where you hire a van or jump onto a local coach for Dali Lake in Hexigten Banner ( Keshiketeng Qi ).
You can also drive directly from Beijing to the Dalinur Lake, a 680km road trip passing by Zhangjiakou.
3. Asihatu Stone Forest 阿斯哈图石林
sihatu Stone Forest, also known as Arshihaty Stone Forest (阿斯哈图石林), is an integrated part of China Hexigten World Geopark (克什克腾世界地质公园), one of the UNESCO Global Geoparks in Keshiketeng Banner (aka Hexigten Banner or Keshiketeng Q) under the jurisdiction of Chifeng.
It is located 140 km to the north of Jingeng Town (经棚镇) where the People’s government of the Keshiketeng Banner (克什克腾旗 Hexigten Banner ) , 380km to the northwest of Chifeng City and 270km to the east of Xilinhot, 720km to the northeast of Beijing by road.
It is one of the eight separate areas of scenic and geologic significance with volcanic, glacial, and desert features in the Hexigten World Geopark. The stone forest is the relics of the Quaternary Glacier, known as the world’s geological wonders, a national AAAA-class scenic spots in China.
Check out my another article Asihatu Stone Forest (Tips, Photos & Map) for more information.
Entrance Fee: RMB 140
Add: 380km northwest of Chifeng’s city center
Best Visit Time: Summer and Autumn
How to get there:
First take the flight or train to Chifeng City, then from Chifen, hire a vehicle to Asihatu.
4. Gong Geer Grassland 贡格尔草原
Located 35km to the west of Jingpeng Town in Hexigten Banner (Keshiketeng Qi) of Chifeng, the Gong Geer Grassland is well-known as the”Natural Garden” featured by the boundless pasture, numerous flowers, clear waters and roaming hordes, a picturesque prairie.
Its south is linked to Dalinur Lake (Dali Lake) Nature Reserve. Gong Geer Grassland has numerous lakes of various sizes. It is an important wetland in China. For more information, see Gong Geer Grassland.
Check out my another article Gong Geer Grassland (Tips, Photos & Map) for more information.
Entrance Fee: Free
Add: 35km to the west of Jingpeng Town in Hexigten Banner (Keshiketeng Qi) of Chifeng
Best Visit Time: Summer and Autumn
How to get there:
The trains from Chifeng go to Beijing, Hohhot, Shenyang and Jinzhou. Daily flights link Chifeng to Beijing and Hohhot. In Chifeng, connect the long-distance buses to Keshiketeng Qi (Hexigten) where you hire a local van or bus to the Gong Geer Grassland.
5. Baiyin’aobao National Nature Reserve 白音敖包
Located in the northwest of Keshiketeng Qi and linked to Gong Geer Grassland, it is a beautiful nature reserve mainly for protecting the sandy spruce forest rare in the world.
The sandy spruce trees look like pagodas with red trucks and green leaves, ever-green trees. “Baiyin Aobao” means “wealthy mountains”, one of the five most famous “Aobao” in Inner Mongolia, a holy place for local herders for sacrificial activities.
Entrance Fee: RMB40
Add: 75km to the northwest of Jingpeng Town in Hexigten Banner (Keshiketeng Qi) of Chifeng
Best Visit Time: Summer and Autumn
How to get there:
The trains from Chifeng go to Beijing, Hohhot, Shenyang and Jinzhou. Daily flights link Chifeng to Beijing and Hohhot. In Chifeng, connect the long-distance buses to Keshiketeng Qi (Hexigten) where you hire a local van or bus to Baiyin Aobao National Nature Reserve
6. Hongshan National Forest Park 红山国家森林公园
Hongshan Park (Red Mountain Park) is the only man-made forest park in China. It is located on the bank of Yingjin River in the northeast of Hongshan District in Chifeng.
The park is mainly divided into 6 parts – Red Mountain Section, Mulanci Section, Yulong Ranch Section, Folk Landscape Section, Beilongxie Section ( Stela, Pavilions and Corridors ) and Forest Section with 57 smaller attractions.
The biggest attraction is Hongshan (Red Mountain). The city of Chifeng literally means “Red Peak”, named after the Red Mountain (Hongshan). Hongshan features the red stones of weird shapes. Hongshan ( Red Mountain) is the symbol of Chifeng, also one of the craddle of civilizations in China. The Red Mountain Culture advances China’s civilization to 1000 year back.
Entrance Fee: free
Add: Just in the north of Chifeng downtown
Best Visit Time: Summer and Autumn
How to get there:
The trains from Chifeng go to Beijing, Hohhot, Shenyang and Jinzhou. Daily flights link Chifeng to Beijing and Hohhot. In Chifeng, connect the long-distance buses to Keshiketeng Qi (Hexigten) where you hire a local van or bus to Baiyin Aobao National Nature Reserve
7. Bolongke Desert Tourist Area 勃隆克沙漠旅游区
Bolongke Desert Tourist Area is located 120km north of Chifeng’s city center. It is a destination nearest to Beijing, Tianjin, which comprises desert, grassland, queer rocks, lakes and primeval forest. Bolongke Desert Tourist Area is a good place to experience natural landscapes and Mongolian folk customs.
Three special zones are built in the tourist area including Sightseeing, Entertainment and Eco Construction Model which comprise such items as horse racing, archery, gliding, sand slide, yartch, canoe, swimming, water games and camel exploration.
Entrance Fee: RMB15
Add: Chaogewendu Country, Wengniute Qi, Chifeng
Best Visit Time: Summer and Autumn
How to get there:
The trains from Chifeng go to Beijing, Hohhot, Shenyang and Jinzhou. Daily flights link Chifeng to Beijing and Hohhot. In Chifeng, connect the long-distance buses to Keshiketeng Qi (Hexigten) where you hire a local van or bus to Bolongke Desert Tourist Area.
8. Chifeng Mantuo Mountain Villa 曼陀山庄
Mantuo Mountain Villar or Mantuo Resort is located on the same name mountain called Mantuoshan or Mantuo Mountain in the southern Dalinur Lake area. The entrance ticket for Dalinur Lake also covers Mantuo Villa and Mantuo Mountain.
The Mantuoshan ( Mantuo Mountain ) is the best place for taking a panoramic view of Dalinur Lake, Hunshanda Desert, sunrise or sunset. You can choose to climb up to the mountain top of Mantuoshan or just drive up to the top.
The Villa itself is famous for its ancient and elegant landscape and rich civilization, known as the No.01 Village North of the Great Wall of China. It is a reaort featuring accommodation, travel, shopping, gym and meetings.
Entrance Fee: A through ticket with Dalinur Lake (RMB70）
Add: In the south of Dalinur Lake
Best Visit Time: Summer and Autumn
How to get there:
The trains from Chifeng go to Beijing, Hohhot, Shenyang and Jinzhou. Daily flights link Chifeng to Beijing and Hohhot. In Chifeng, connect the long-distance buses to Keshiketeng Qi (Hexigten) where you hire a local van or bus to Mantuo Villa.
9. Palace of the Prince of Ka La Qin 喀喇沁亲王府
The Palace of the Prince Ka La Qin is located 70km south of Chifeng and 150km northesat of Chengde. It was the former residence of Gongsannurbu, the outstanding stateman and reformer in Mongolia.
It has been turned into a museum known as The Palace Museum of Kalaqin Banner. It was originally built in 1679 in the town known as Wang Ye Township of Kalaqin Qi ( Kalaqin Banner ). There were totally 12 Kalaqin Princes who took power successively. It is the earliest, largest prince palace in Inner Mongolia.
Entrance Fee: RMB50
Add: 70km south of Chifeng and 150km northest of Chengde.
Best Visit Time: Summer and Autumn
How to get there:
First go to Chende or Chifeng by train or bus, then connect local buses for Palace of the Prince of Kalaqin
10. Yulong Sand Lake Tourist Area 玉龙沙湖
Yulong Sand Lake is located in the region of Wengniute Banner ( 翁牛特旗), is a national AAA attraction known as Yulong Sand Lake Tourist Area.
The “The First Dragon in China” famous both at home and abroad was unearthed here. The Yulong Sand Lake area is a comprehensive tourist zone integrating prairies, deserts, lakes, hills and the Mongolian customs.
The most unique part is the desert, sand lake, sand pine and resonant sand. Yulong sand lake is part of the Horqin sandy land (Keerqin Snad land), known as “eight-hundred mile sand sea”.
Entrance fee: RMB40
Best Visit Time: Summer and Autumn
Tel: 0476-6328453
Location: Within the region of Wengniute Banner, 105 km north of Chifeng city.
Add-on
Site of Xanadu (Tips, Photos & Map)
Xanadu Sites Museum
Jinlianchuan Grassland
Wulanbutong Grassland
Asihatu Stone Forest
Gong Geer Grassland
Dalinur Lake
Duolun County
Asihatu Stone Forest
Grassland in West Ujimqin Banner
Top 10 Attractions in Chifeng
Hassle-Free East Inner Mongolia Guided Tours:
If you don’t want go the daunting do-it-yourself-route and prefer an organized hassle-free private tour to visit Xanadu and other parts of Inner Mongolia, no worry and we have the following options:
6-Day Beijing Duolun Xilingol Chengde Culture Tour
Beijing Chifeng 4 Day Round Trip Tour
4-Day Beijing Xilinglo Glassland Shangdu Mongolia Culture Tour
3 Day Beijing Shangdu (Xanadu) Tour
Inner Mongolia Tour
Mid-Inner Mongolia Tour (Hohhot, Baotou, Ordos)
East Inner Mongolia Tour (Xanadu,Wulan Butong, Xilinhot, Chifeng)
Northeast Inner Mongolia Tour (Hulunbuir)
West Inner Mongolia Tour (Alashan “Alxa” League)
Hohhot Tour
Hohhot Highlights & Grassland 3 Day Tour
Hohhot Highlights & Grassland 2 Day Tour
Further Readings
Top Places to Visit in Inner Mongolia
Top 10 Attractions in Hohhot
Best Time to Visit Hohhot
Meidaizhao Temple
How to go to Hohhot from Beijing
Top Souvenirs in Hohhot
Hohhot Taxi: Hohhot Taxi Fares, Tips and Phones
Baotou Taxi: Baotou Taxi Fares, Tips and Phones
Ordos Taxi: Ordos taxi Fares, Tips and Phones
What to see in Hohhot, what to do in Hohhot
Top 10 Attractions in Alxa League
Heicheng Historic Site in Ejin Banner (Tips, Photos & Map)
Guai Shu Lin in Ejin Banner, Inner Mongolia (Tips, Photos & Map)
Populus Forest in Ejin Banner (Tips, Photos & Map)
Badain Jaran Desert (Tips, Photos & Map)
Sunrise Glow over Hulunbuir Grassland
Top 10 Places for Photography in Hulunbuir
How to visit Hulunbuir Grassland
Top 10 Attractions in Hulunbuir
Hulun Lake Travel Tips
World Anti-fascist War Hailar Memorial Park
Road Trip from Ergun to Linjiang Village
Ergun Travel Guide
Aoluguya Travel Guide
Moerdaoga Travel Guide
Shiwei Travel Tips
Wusu Langzi Lake （Tips, Photos & Map)
Dujuan Lake in Aershan National Forest Park
Beihu Park Skyline at Night in Manzhouli
Night View of Manzhouli City
Architecture of Manzhouli
Top 10 Attractions in Manzhouli
Any questions, just drop a line.