Hohhot Attractions Huhehaote
Hohhot (Huhehaote) lies in the center of Inner Mongolia, south of the Daqingshan river.
In contrast to many other Chinese towns Hohhot is still comparatively young, having been founded in 1581 by the Mongol prince Altan Khan, under the name of Kuku-khoto (Blue Town). The Kangxi Emperor Xuanye (reigned 1661-1722) ensured Chinese supremacy over the Mongols and stationed troops in the town. In 1947, when Inner Mongolia was made an Autonomous Region, it was decided that Hohhot would be its capital.
Today Hohhot is the political, cultural and industrial center of the region. Manufacture of wool and leather products, metal, building materials, engineering and chemical industries all play an important role.
In contrast to many other Chinese towns Hohhot is still comparatively young, having been founded in 1581 by the Mongol prince Altan Khan, under the name of Kuku-khoto (Blue Town). The Kangxi Emperor Xuanye (reigned 1661-1722) ensured Chinese supremacy over the Mongols and stationed troops in the town. In 1947, when Inner Mongolia was made an Autonomous Region, it was decided that Hohhot would be its capital.
Today Hohhot is the political, cultural and industrial center of the region. Manufacture of wool and leather products, metal, building materials, engineering and chemical industries all play an important role.
Hohhot Mosque
This Hohhot Mosque (Qingzhen Si) in the Chinese style is to be found to the northwest of the Temple of Five Pagodas, at the old north gate of the town. It was founded in the 18th C and restored in 1933. The Islamic community numbers about 20,000. In addition to the Main Hall the mosque has a Moslem bath. The temple houses 30 volumes of the Koran in Arabic which are two hundred years old. The minaret has a small pavilion on the top of it.
Dazhao Monastery
Dazhao Monastery, to the east of Xilitu Zhao, was built in Sino-Tibetan style in 1567 by Altan Khan, who converted the Mongols to the teachings of the Tibetan Gelupga sect. It boasts a silver statue of the Buddha, which is why the site is also known as the Silver Buddha Temple.
Lama Temple of Xilitu Zhao
The Lama Temple of Xilitu Zhao in the Old Town was founded in the Ming period (1368-1644); it was home to the famous Huofo Xitiuke, who was tutor to the fourth Dalai Lama. To the southeast of the Main Hall, which is laid out in Tibetan style like all the other halls, stands a 15m/50ft high stupa (Buddhist shrine), one of the most beautiful to be found anywhere in Inner Mongolia.
Museum of Inner Mongolia
This Museum of Inner Mongolia at Xinhua Dajie No. 1 provides information about Mongolia and its people, including displays of traditional crafts.
Race Course
The race course (Sai Ma Chang) in the north of the town is the scene of traditional Mongolian equestrian games as well as horse and camel races.
Hohhot Surroundings
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Tomb of Wang Zhaojun
The Tomb of Wang Zhaojun is the final resting place of Wang Zhaojun (Zhaojun Mu) and dates from the 1st C B.C.
White Pagoda
Standing 43m/141ft high and made of wood and brick, the White Pagoda (Bai Ta), 18km/11mi east of the town center, was built at the end of the 10th C. The exterior walls contain inscriptions - the oldest dating from 1162 - written in Chinese, Ancient Persian, Ancient Syrian and other languages which are no longer spoken.
