Baotou

The largest city in Inner Mongolia, Baotou used to be an arid region inhabited by Mongolian herders and their sheep. The town that has since grown up has four main parts

• Donghe — the old part of town and lies to the east
• Qingshan — part of the new city with a small and depressing walking street
• Jiuyuan
• Kunqu (Kandulun) — major part of the new city and is the main shopping and entertainment area with all the western restaurants near Baobaidalou (a large walking street and shopping area)

The new city is bisected by Gangtie St, a large road that goes from the east in Qingshan to the west in Kunqu.

By plane

• Baotou Donghe Airport

  phone: +86-0472-4616100
  Has flights from major Chinese cities, including Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Wuhan, Xi'an, and Yulin, as well as Ulaan Bataar and a few other international destinations.

By train

There are two main train stations. There is high-speed rail but only inside Inner Mongolia (1hr to Hohhot). A night train to Beijing takes about 12 hours and ¥110-150 (seat) or ¥300-450 (soft sleeper).

• Baotou East stationMain station for Donghe.

• Baotou StationMain station for the western part of town.

By bus

• Baotou Long Distance Bus StationDestinations include Beijing (about 10 hours), Dongsheng (about 3 hours), and Hohhot (about 3 hours)

• Wudangzhao LamaseryLargest and best preserved Tibetan Buddhist lamasery in Inner Mongolia.

• Resonant Sand BaySand dune that emits sounds when someone rides down the side or the wind blows across.

• Guyang County Section of the Great Wall

• Shiguai District Section of the Great WallClaimed to be the oldest remaining part of the Great Wall.

• Nanhai National Wetland ParkA protected wetland, scenic area, amusement park, and final approach route for the airport.

Try Mongolian hot pot with mutton, especially in the winter. Any mutton dish is worth trying as they raise sheep up in the mountains.

• Little Sheep Restaurant

  phone: +86 472 5137998
  address: 9 Wulandao, Kun District (昆区乌兰道9号; Kūnqū​​ Wū​lán​dào​)
  This is the flagship restaurant of this world wide hot pot chain.

Budget

• Baotou Golden Snail Hotel

  address: D1 Pedestrian St, Jiuyuan District (九原区步行街D1; Jiǔyuánqū Bù​xíng​jiē​)
  Small rooms with free internet. No breakfast available.

• Hengwei Holiday (Qingshan Branch)

  phone: +86 472 2885588
  address: 8 Gangtie Ave, Qingshan District (青山区钢铁大街8号; Qīng​shān​qū Gāng​tiě​dà​jiē​​)
  Rooms with free internet. Restaurant and cafe available.

Mid-range

• Qingshan Hotel Baotou

  phone: +86 472 3331199
  address: 1 Yingbin Rd, Qingshan District

• Tianwaitian Hotel Baotou

  phone: +86 472 3137766
  address: 50 Hudemulin Avenue, Qingshan District

Splurge

• Shangri-La Hotel Baotou

  phone: +86 472 5998888
  address: 66 Minzu East Rd, Qingshan District (青山区民族东路66号; Qīng​shān​qū Mín​zú​dōng​lù​​)
  Large rooms with free internet, satellite tv, minibar, coffee equipment, safe, bathrobes and hair dryer. Business center, currency exchange, ticket office, night club and indoor swimming pool available. Chinese and Western restaurants as well as room service.