Xilingol, or Xilin Gol or Xilinguole (Chinese: 锡林郭勒盟), is a secluded league of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in north China. It is a large league with groups of stunning grasslands, mountains, volcanic landscapes, lakes and also temple clusters and other historical relics. The most stand out attractions include the UNESCO World Heritage Site - The Site of Xanadu, Wulagai Grassland… Here is the full list of Top 10 Xilingol Attractions for you to know better about Xilingol and to better plan your Xilingol tour!
The Palace City of Site of Xanadu
Da'an Pavilion
The Site of Xanadu (元上都) is the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in the entire Inner Mongolia. It is located in the Jinlianchuan Grassland in Zhenglan Banner in the south part of Xilingol League. The Site of Xanadu was the first and main capital of Yuan (1271-1368), the empire with the largest territory in history. Marco Polo once visited here, and in his book he described The Site of Xanadu as a breathtaking marble palace painted with gold and decorated with carved birds, animals, flowers and trees, showing excellent and delectable craftsmanship. The used splendid palace was destroyed in the war. However, the ruins of the palace, the statues of the Great Khan and the rich relics unearthed from this sacred site always continuously tell visitors the glory in the past.
While visiting the Site of Xanadu, visitors will also be welcomed by spectacular grassland sceneries. The grassland, namely Jinlianchuan Grassland, is famed a lot for the beautiful golden wild flowers blossoming in summer, especially in July and August.
Bok Performance at The Mongol Khan City
The Mongol Khan City
Ujimqin Grassland is actually a vast land made up of several beautiful grasslands, including the one in West Ujimqin Banner and also in East Ujimqin Banner. However, when it comes to Ujimqin Grassland, it usually refers to the West Ujimqin Grassland (西乌珠穆沁草原), because the east one is more famous for Wulagai Grassland. West Ujimqin Grassland is about 2.5 hours and 166 kilometers away from Xilin Hot. It has almost all the features of grassland in China, including the meadow grassland, forest grassland, classic grassland, sparse forest steppe, desert forest, etc. If you want to admire different types of grasslands in one short trip, then go to West Ujimqin Grassland.
Besides the grassland, West Ujimqin Grassland is also popular for the Mongol Khan City, which was once a film site but now a great place to savor Mongolian culture and history. The nearby Banla Mountain and Genghis Khan Observation Mountain are also popular to get panorama views of the vast grassland.
Wulagai Grassland
Bulinquan Scenic Area in Wulagai Grassland
Wulagai Grassland (乌拉盖草原), or called Ulagai Grassland, is located in the northeast area of Xilingol League, a little bit far from Xiin Hot - the center area of Xilingol. However, the distant distance from the city center and human activities also implies the primitive nomadic lifestyle and natural scenery. The grassland there is believed to be the best and most beautiful of the whole Xilingol Grassland cluster. The most beautiful summer ranch in Inner Mongolia, Nailingol (乃林郭勒), which is a natural meadowland for the nomads to bring their sheep, cattle and horses to graze beside the river there every summer, is also one of the major highlights of the Wulagai Grassland. Under the blue skies and white clouds, the rays of sunshine dance in the endless prairie with lush grasses and colorful flowers, forming amazing natural picture. The rolling hills in a distance make the picture more grand and spectacular. Besides the landscape, the famous film, namely the Totem of Wolf, was also shot in this epic grassland. Wulagai Grassland and thus attracts many prairie lovers and film fans to come.
Xilingol Grassland Nature Reserve
Beautiful Nine Turns Tourist Area (锡林九曲)
In 1987, the UNESCO Man and Biosphere Program added Xilingol Grassland Nature Reserve (锡林郭勒草原自然保护区) into the International Biosphere Network. During the past years, the Xilingol Grassland Nature Reserve was a paradise for all types of animals like goats and swans than human beings, while nowadays it welcomes more visitors to come. About 18 kilometers southeast of the Xilin Hot City is the popular Nine Turns Tourist Area (锡林九曲), where the zigzag Xilin River, leisurely sheep and cattle and lovely Mongolian yurts decorates the emerald grassland, creating amazing scenery for photographers to bring up their cameras.
Pingdingshan
Have you ever seen the volcanoes in the grassland? Xilingol can show you such amazing views. Xilingol Grassland Volcanic Geopark, which is very close to the grassland area of Xilingol Grassland Nature Reserve, offers otherworldly lava platform volcanic landform landscape. Visitors here will meet with volcanic products of different periods distributed in the endless prairie. There are over 100 volcanoes of different types, making Xilingol Grassland Volcanic Geopark one of the volcanoes clusters with the largest number of volcanic cones in the continental region.
The whole volcanic geopark has two separate areas, including the Pingdingshan Area and Gezishan Area, while Pingdingshan, which means mountains with flat heads, is more popular. Visitors who travel to the nature resort or have further plan to visit the Site of Xanadu in the south can add such an amazing site into the trip.
Hunshadake Sandy Land
Hunshadake Sandy Land Hiking
Hushadake sandy Land (浑善达克沙地) is one of the members of the Top 10 Deserts in China. As its name implies, it is a sandy land than a desert. However, it is not a big matter for sand lovers to have fun. Located in the south region of Xilingol League, Hunshadake Sandy Land enjoys a close direct distance (180 kilometers) to Beijing, which makes it become Beijing’s closest sand resource. Desert and forest meet here and form a unique landscape of golden and green. On a bright day with clear sky, the golden sandy land decorated with lush brushes, yellow birch trees and rose willow will certainly leave you a gorgeous image in your head. The more appealing things are the interesting sand activities. You can ride a motorbike or jeep car to travel across the sandy land. Also, you can try sand sliding, etc. Let the sands kiss your face and indulge in the exciting speed.
Duolun Lake
Duolun Lake
Duolun Lake (多伦湖) was formerly the largest water conservancy project. Nowadays, it is more attractive as an emerald embedded in between the mountains and grasslands than a reservoir. The most beautiful time of Duolun Lake is considered to be autumn. In 2008, Duolun Lake, together with Jiuzhaigou Valley, was entitled as the two most beautiful autumn landscapes in China. In addition to autumn, summer is also good, because you will be welcomed with lush green.
At Hulun Lake, you can climb along the great wall up to the upper location to get a panorama view of the lake and surroundings. Also, you can enjoy horse riding, rafting, boating, swimming, fishing, etc. There is also a road built around the lake, where you can enjoy biking. Every July or August, there will also be a biking race held there.
Beizi Temple
Beizi Temple
Beizi Temple (贝子庙) is also known as Chongshan Temple (崇善寺). It is located in the south slope of in the north of Xilin Hot City in Xilingol league. Beizi Temple is one of the Four Most Important Temples in Inner Mongolia. It was firstly built in 1742, and till now, it has a relatively long history of about 280 years. The temple cluster is in huge size and in elegant flavor. And the architectures is a combination of Mongolia and China styles. As you approaching the open group in front of the temple, you will be welcomed by prayer flags waving in the wind, and then the solemn atmosphere begins to unfold. Take your time to stroll around the pagoda cluster and you will find that you almost forget that you are in Inner Mongolia instead of in Beijing, Datong or other cities.
Gurostai Ecological Reserve Driving Road
Gurostai Ecological Reserve in Autumn
Gurostai Ecological Reserve (古若斯台生态保护区) is a large area composed of grasslands, mountains, forests, valleys and rivers. There is no specific edge of this ecological reserve and West Ujimqin Grassland. It is named after the mountain of the same name - Gurostai Mountain, which is the highest peak of the whole Xilingol. Banla Mountain, which stands in a unique shape of half of the mountain, belongs here. You can hike up to the mountain and stand at the cliff to make magical photos and get perfect views of the broad grassland. The White Birch Forest is stunning in autumn, when the leaves turn into beautiful golden. The forests spread the grassland. And where the forest meets the grassland, beauty opens.
Collections in the Museum at Imperial Horse Garden
The Entrance of Imperial Horse Garden
Xilingol is reputed as the “Horse Capital in China”, and the Imperial Horse Garden (御马苑) is the place you can get the answer why it is so called. In history, the Imperial Horse Garden was the royal horse farm. The officials will pick the best horses here and then bring to Beijing to the royal families. Nowadays, the Imperial Horse Garden is no longer the royal farm, however, it is a fantastic tourist site to trace the royal horse culture. Visitors here will meet with world-class ferghana horses and appreciate exciting equestrian sports and shows.
The Taipisi Imperial Horse Garden is close to Zhangbei County of Hubei Province. If you driving from Beijing, it will be a good place to make a stop in the early journey.
Usually, you can spend 4~7 days around to explore Xilingol. The tour usually starts from Xilin Hot, the league center of Xilingol. During the trip, you can spend 4~5 days to visit the highlights near Xilin Hot (like Xilingol Grassland Volcanic Geopark), in Left Ujumuqin Banner (like The Mongol Khan City and Ujumuqin Grassland), in East Ujumuqin Banner (Wulagai Grassland). Adding 1~2 days to visit Site of Xanadu - the UNESCO World Heritage Site and Jinlianchuan Grassland in Zhenglan Banner is also popular.
☛ 5 Days Primitive Inner Mongolia Tour to Xilingol (Xilingol)
If you have more days in Inner Mongolia, you can transfer to Hohhot, and spend 2~3 days visiting the amazing nearby deserts, Buddhist temples, museums and more essences around Baotou, Ulanqab and Ordos. Besides, you can spend 3~5 days in Chifeng visiting the splendid Hexigten Global Geopark and more wonderful lakes, prairies, etc.
☛ 5 Days Classic Inner Mongolia Tour (Hohhot / Huitengxile Grassland / Kubuqi Desert / Ordos)
☛ 6 Days Inner Mongolia Bests Discovery Tour (Hohhot / Ulanqab / Huitengxile Grassland / Baotou / Kubuqi Desert / Ordos)
☛ 6 Days Inner Mongolia Authentic Nature & Dynasties Culture Tour from Chengde (Xilingol - Chifeng)
Have more days and want more wonders? You can extend your trip to Hulunbuir, Arxan, Greater Khingan, Badain Jaran, Ejina, etc. Also, it is a great idea to travel to more popular destinations in China, such as Chengde, Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Chengdu, Guilin, Silk Road, Tibet, Yangtze River, etc. You can contact us to customize a Xilingol tour with more personal experiences based on your interests, needs and budget!
☛ 5 Days Best Hulunbuir Tour with Grassland Exploration (Hulunbuir)
☛ 9 Days Hulunbuir In-depth Tour with Arxan UNESCO Global Geopark (Hailar - Ergun - Manzhouli - Arxan - Hailar)
☛ 5 Days Zhangye Danxia Badain Jaran Desert Geography Miracle Tour
Xilingol Grassland Horse Riding
Site of Xanadu - The Only UNESCO World Heritage in Inner Mongolia
Looking for a Xilingol tour but feel hard to arrange your day by day itinerary and site to site transportation? Travel with us China Discovery and let our experienced travel consultant help you. We know Xilingol and Xilingol Grassland much and we have helped numerous visitors to enjoy a tour there. If you go with us, we will customize an Xilingol Tour for you! Your guide will accompany you all the way and show you the best viewing and photography spots. And your driver will take you to cross the grassland along the driving road in the middle of the grassland.
The tour is tailor-made according to your interests, budget, group size and every special need! If you are interested, please feel free to contact us!
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Top 3 Hulunbuir tours chosen by most customers to explore Hulunbuir in the best way. Check the detailed itinerary, or tailor your own trip now with us.
Hohhot / Huitengxile Grassland / Yemingsha of Kubuqi Desert / Hohhot
Hulunbuir / Erguna / Manzhouli / Hulunbuir
Hohhot / Baotou / Kubuqi Desert / Hulunbuir / Shiwei / Hulunbuir
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