Overview
Hohhot is the capital of Inner Mongolia and the springboard to China's northern grasslands, where Mongolian and Han cultures meet. Expect lamaseries and mosques in the old town, a superb regional museum, hearty lamb-and-dairy cooking, and the open steppe just an hour's drive away. It is an offbeat, rewarding choice for UK travellers who want somewhere different from the usual Beijing-and-Shanghai itinerary.
Best time to fly to Hohhot
Summer, roughly June to early September, is the season most UK visitors choose: the grasslands turn green, daytime temperatures are pleasant and the traditional Naadam games take place. This is also peak demand, so use the When to book chart above to time your booking. Late May and September bring thinner crowds and softer fares. Winters are dry and bitterly cold, often well below freezing, while early spring can be windy and dusty.
Airlines and routes
There are no direct flights from the UK to Hohhot. The standard approach is a long-haul flight to a Chinese hub followed by a short domestic connection. Air China, British Airways, China Southern and China Eastern link London with Beijing, Shanghai or Guangzhou, and carriers such as Hainan Airlines and Cathay Pacific (via Hong Kong) add further routing options. From Beijing it is about a 90-minute flight or a high-speed train of around two and a half hours. Total journey time is typically 15 to 18 hours depending on the connection.
Things to do in Hohhot
Hohhot rewards curious travellers with temples, museums and easy access to the steppe.
- Dazhao Temple: the city's oldest and grandest Tibetan Buddhist monastery, known for its silver Buddha.
- Five-Pagoda Temple: an 18th-century brick shrine covered in carvings, with a rare Mongolian-script star chart.
- Inner Mongolia Museum: excellent galleries on dinosaurs, nomadic life and the Mongol empire.
- Old Town and Great Mosque: lanes of Qing-era architecture around a striking Chinese-style mosque.
- Xilamuren Grassland: the closest grassland to the city, good for horse riding, yurt stays and huge skies.
At Hohhot Baita International Airport (HET)
The airport sits about 15km east of the centre, roughly 20 to 30 minutes by road. Metered taxis wait outside arrivals, airport shuttle buses run to several city hotels and stops, and local buses are the cheapest option. Ride-hailing apps work well once you have a Chinese payment method set up. A larger new airport for the city has been under development.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Hohhot
- Book early for summer: fares to Chinese hubs rise from spring onwards, so watch the price charts on this page and book when they dip.
- Fly midweek: Tuesday and Wednesday departures are often cheaper than weekend ones.
- Stay flexible on your hub: comparing Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou as the connecting point can noticeably cut the total price.
- Compare airlines and consider splitting the trip: booking the long-haul and domestic legs separately sometimes beats a single through-fare.
Travel essentials
Most UK passport holders need a visa to visit China; apply through the official Chinese Visa Application Service Centre well before you travel, and check whether visa-free transit rules apply if you are only passing through. The currency is the Chinese yuan (renminbi, RMB); set up Alipay or WeChat Pay before arrival and carry some cash as backup. No vaccinations are mandatory, but check the NHS TravelHealthPro website for current advice before you fly.
