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Open WhatsApp ChatHohhot Airport (HET) or Wulanchabu Airport (UCB) to grassland hotels with licensed professional driver. Fixed price, free flight tracking. Explore Inner Mongoliad price, free flight tracking. Explore Inner Mongolia's volcanic heartland.
A vast grassland city in the heart of Inner Mongolia, Wulanchabu is known as the "Grassland Sky" for its sweeping steppe views, volcanic landscapes, and star-filled night skies far from city lights.
"Wulanchabu" (乌兰察布) comes from the Mongolian Ulan Qab, meaning "Red Meadow" — a reference to the reddish-brown earth and rich grasslands of the region. Located in the southeastern part of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Wulanchabu sits at an altitude of around 1,400 meters on the vast Eurasian steppe. It is one of the closest grassland areas to Beijing, making it a popular weekend escape for urban Chinese seeking open sky and nomadic culture.
Wulanchabu is home to one of China's most remarkable volcanic landscapes — the Wulanchabu Volcanic Group (乌兰哈达火山群). Dozens of dormant volcanoes, some perfectly cone-shaped, rise from the grasslands. The craters are easily accessible by road and make for dramatic hiking. The volcanic soil has created lush alpine meadows that are visually stunning, especially in summer when the grasslands bloom with wildflowers.
Wulanchabu is a working grassland where Mongolian nomadic culture is very much alive. Herder families move their flocks of sheep, goats, and horses across the steppe following seasonal patterns. Visitors can stay in traditional Mongolian gers (yurts), ride horses, watch herders milk goats, and experience the famous Mongolian whole-roasted lamb — a ceremonial feast for honored guests.
Away from city lights, Wulanchabu's high altitude and low humidity create some of the best stargazing conditions in China. The grasslands are popular with amateur astronomers, and the Milky Way is visible to the naked eye on clear nights. Summer and autumn are the best seasons for stargazing tours on the steppe.
From volcanic craters to endless grassland horizons, explore Inner Mongolia's most dramatic landscapes with a private driver.
Fixed-price private car service for Wulanchabu's most popular journeys.
~130 km · 2 hours · Economy/Business/MPV
Hohhot Baitai Airport (HET) is the main international gateway for Inner Mongolia. Wulanchabu's grassland areas are about 2 hours from the airport by car — a private vehicle is essential as there is no public transit to the ger camps. Your driver meets you at arrivals and takes you directly to your grassland destination.
~20 km · 30–40 min · Economy/Business/MPV
Wulanchabu Airport (UCB) has limited domestic flights, mainly from Beijing (1h20m). If you're flying directly into UCB, your driver meets you at the terminal and takes you to Wulanchabu city or directly to the grassland ger camps.
~60 km · 6–8 hours · Business vehicle
Your driver takes you to the Ulan Butong grassland for a full day exploring the steppe by 4WD, visiting a herder's ger, horse riding, and a Mongolian lunch of roasted lamb. The driver waits and returns you to your hotel in the evening.
~80 km · 8 hours · Business 4WD
A private car is the only practical way to explore the Wulanchabu Volcanic Group and surrounding grassland. Visit multiple volcanic cones, the alpine meadow, and stop at a ger camp for a traditional Mongolian lunch. Best done in a 4WD vehicle for the unpaved roads.
Getting to Wulanchabu by air, rail, or road
~130 km from Wulanchabu grasslands · 2 hr drive
HET is Inner Mongolia's main international gateway, serving domestic flights and routes to Mongolia, Russia, and Southeast Asia. The airport is located northeast of Hohhot city center. Wulanchabu's grassland areas are about 2 hours by car from HET — no public transit is available to the ger camps. Your driver meets you at arrivals with a name board.
~20 km from city center · Limited flights
UCB is a small domestic airport with flights mainly from Beijing (about 1h20m, multiple daily). The airport is convenient if you're flying directly to Wulanchabu. However, Hohhot Airport (HET) has far more flight options and is only 2 hours away, making it the more practical choice for most travelers.
High-speed rail · Beijing–Inner Mongolia corridor
The main railway station, served by high-speed G/D trains from Beijing (2h), Hohhot (40 min), Baotou (2h), and Zhangjiakou (30 min). The station is modern and about 15 km from the city center. A private car from the station is the most convenient way to reach grassland accommodations.
Regional rail · Eastern connections
Serves regional conventional trains to Hohhot, Zhangjiakou, and other cities in the Beijing–Inner Mongolia corridor. The station serves the eastern part of Wulanchabu. Pre-booking a car is advisable as taxis are limited.
Historic station · Central Wulanchabu
Wulanchabu's oldest railway station, located in the historic city center. It handles a mix of high-speed and conventional trains. Its central location makes it convenient for hotels in the old city. Your driver can meet you at either station.
Capture the vastness of Inner Mongolia's volcanic grassland from its most breathtaking angles.
Best at dawn
The dark volcanic cones silhouetted against the golden sunrise over the grassland are one of Inner Mongolia's most dramatic images. Drive to the best cone before dawn and hike to the crater rim for the view. The first light turns the steppe gold and the volcanic rock deep black.
Best on clear nights
Far from city lights, the Mongolian night sky over the ger camps is spectacular. The Milky Way arches over the traditional tents, with the grass glowing silver in the starlight. Long-exposure photography from inside a ger, looking out, is a favorite shot of photographers.
Best in July–August
The vast flat grassland with the horizon stretching uninterrupted in every direction is best photographed from a low angle, with the grass in the foreground framing the sky. July and August bring wildflowers and lush green. A drone captures the true scale of the steppe.
Best in golden hour
A Mongolian eagle hunter on horseback silhouetted against the steppe at sunset is one of the most iconic images of Inner Mongolia. The golden light, the vast sky, and the powerful silhouette of the hunter with their eagle create an unforgettable frame.
Best at dusk
The Yellow River wetlands glow orange and pink at sunset, with the shallow pools reflecting the dramatic sky and the reed beds creating strong vertical lines. Herds of cattle and horses crossing the river add a pastoral element to the scene.
Best in September–October
The larch trees on Dawu Mountain turn brilliant gold in autumn, contrasting sharply with the surrounding brown steppe. The view from the summit over the patchwork of forest, grassland, and mountain is extraordinary. Early October is peak color.
The signature feast of Mongolian hospitality — an entire lamb slow-roasted over an open fire, traditionally carved and served by the host. In Wulanchabu's ger camps, this is the centerpiece of any special occasion. Eating with your hands Mongolian-style, tearing the meat directly from the bone, is part of the experience.
Unlike Sichuan-style hotpot, Mongolian hotpot uses a clear herb-infused broth and thinly sliced lamb. Dip the lamb in the broth for just a few seconds, then into a sauce of sesame paste, soy, and fresh garlic. A warming and communal dish that is perfect for Wulanchabu's cool evenings.
Fermented mare's milk — a traditional Mongolian drink with a mild alcoholic content (3–5%) and a tangy, slightly effervescent flavor. Offered to guests as a sign of hospitality. An acquired taste, but an essential part of the Mongolian cultural experience. Your ger camp host will likely offer you some.
Lamb cubes threaded on metal skewers, grilled over charcoal with cumin, salt, and dried chili flakes. Sold at night markets throughout Wulanchabu city. Best eaten at street stalls with a bottle of local beer. Your driver can take you to the best night market stalls.
A hearty noodle soup with hand-pulled wheat noodles in a rich, clear lamb broth with herbs and sliced lamb. The warming, comforting dish is particularly popular in winter. Found at local noodle shops in Wulanchabu city and ger camp dining halls.
The city's main market for regional specialties — dried lamb, camel milk powder, medicinal herbs, Mongolian cashmere, and local dairy products. Your driver can take you and help with translation. Bargaining is expected for larger purchases.
Inner Mongolia is famous for its cashmere, and Wulanchabu has many specialist shops selling raw cashmere, cashmere sweaters, scarves, and blankets at better prices than in Hohhot or Beijing. Quality varies — ask your driver to recommend reputable shops.
The Wulanchabu city night market comes alive in summer with food stalls, clothing vendors, and local crafts. A good place to try roasted lamb skewers, buy simple souvenirs, and experience the local evening atmosphere.
Inner Mongolia cashmere is among the world's finest — lightweight, incredibly soft, and warm. Sweaters, scarves, hats, and blankets make excellent and practical souvenirs. Buy at the cashmere shops in Wulanchabu city rather than tourist areas for better quality and prices.
Traditional dried and cured lamb from the Wulanchabu grasslands travels well and is a unique souvenir. Camel milk powder and candy are also regional specialties, prized for their nutritional properties. Available at the agricultural products market.
Traditional Mongolian instruments — the morin khuur (horsehead fiddle), limbe (flute), and domburu (jaw harp) — make distinctive and meaningful souvenirs. Found at craft shops and the night market. Your driver can help you select an authentic instrument.
Small decorative models of Mongolian gers, miniature horsehead fiddles, and colorful Mongolian decorative belts are popular lightweight souvenirs. Available at ger camps and craft shops. They pack well and make meaningful gifts.
Meet the living traditions of Mongolia's grassland heartland.
UNESCO intangible cultural heritage. Golden eagle hunting from horseback is an ancient tradition of the Kazakh and Mongolian peoples of Inner Mongolia. The eagle hunters (burkutchi) form deep bonds with their birds, training them to hunt foxes and hares on the vast steppe. The tradition has been passed down for generations and is still practiced in the Wulanchabu grasslands today.
Where to experience: Arrange through ger camp hosts or your driver. The best encounters are with genuine practicing hunters, not staged tourist shows.
UNESCO intangible cultural heritage. Khoomei, or throat singing, produces multiple pitches simultaneously from a single vocalist — creating a rich, otherworldly sound often described as "echoing the wind across the steppe." It is traditionally performed at festivals and ceremonies and is deeply connected to the landscape and spiritual life of Mongolian herders.
Where to experience: Ger camp performances, traditional Naadam Festival (July), and cultural shows in Wulanchabu city.
Horses are central to Mongolian identity and culture. The Mongolian horse is small, hardy, and perfectly adapted to the harsh grassland environment. Traditional skills — breeding, training, riding, and the art of the Mongolian long whip — are still practiced by herder families. Visitors can ride horses across the steppe as part of any ger camp stay.
Where to experience: All ger camps offer horse riding. For more immersive experiences, arrange a multi-day riding trip with a local herder guide.
Mongolian women are renowned for their embroidery skills — vibrant geometric patterns featuring diamonds, clouds, and stylized animals sewn onto clothing, ger furnishings, and decorative panels. The patterns carry symbolic meaning: the endless knot for eternity, the lotus for purity. Cashmere and wool weaving are equally important textile traditions.
Where to find it: Craft shops in Wulanchabu city, ger camp gift shops, and the agricultural products market.
UNESCO intangible cultural heritage. The morin khuur is the traditional Mongolian bowed string instrument, named for the carved horsehead at the top of the neck. Its sound — described as melancholic and evocative of the vast steppe — is central to Mongolian musical culture. Making a morin khuur requires specialized craftsmanship, from selecting the wood to carving and stringing.
Where to find it: Specialty musical instrument shops and craft markets in Wulanchabu and Hohhot.
The Mongolian ger (yurt) is a portable, circular dwelling perfectly adapted to the nomadic grassland lifestyle. Constructed from a lattice of wooden poles covered with felt and canvas, gers can be assembled and disassembled in a few hours. Learning to erect a ger is a cultural experience offered by many ger camps — a lesson in how deeply Mongolian architecture reflects the nomadic way of life.
Where to experience: Ger camps at Ulan Butong and surrounding grassland areas. Ask your driver to arrange a ger-raising experience.
Insider tips to help you experience Wulanchabu's grasslands like a local.
Most visitors only hike to the rim of the Wulanchabu volcanoes — but the most extraordinary experience is to descend into the crater floor. The interior of the craters is surprisingly lush, with grasses and wildflowers growing in the sheltered volcanic soil. Ask your driver to guide you to the most accessible volcanic cone for crater exploration.
The authentic experience of Wulanchabu is staying in a traditional Mongolian ger (yurt) on the grassland, not in a city hotel. The ger camps at Ulan Butong are the most accessible. On clear nights, the Milky Way visible from the ger doorstep is one of the most beautiful night skies in China.
Genuine eagle hunting culture is still practiced by a handful of families near Wulanchabu. These are not tourist shows — the hunters are working herders who train and fly their golden eagles during the hunting season (typically October to February). Ask your driver to arrange a visit — the best way to find them is through local ger camp hosts who know the hunting families.
Horse rides at ger camps are typically offered in the afternoon — but the best time to ride is at dawn when the grassland is misty, the horses are fresh, and the light is extraordinary for photography. Ask your ger camp host for an early morning ride. You may have the entire grassland to yourself.
Airag (fermented mare's milk) is an acquired taste — tangy, slightly effervescent, and mildly alcoholic — but it is an essential part of the Mongolian hospitality experience. Your ger camp host will likely offer it to you unprompted. Accept graciously as a sign of respect for the tradition. The first sip may surprise you!
If your ger camp offers a whole roasted lamb feast, join it and eat with your hands the traditional way — tearing meat directly from the bone. This is not a polite restaurant experience — it's a communal, celebratory feast. Watching the host carve the lamb with a ceremonial knife is part of the ritual.
Explore beyond the grasslands with a private car and professional licensed driver.
Each season transforms the Inner Mongolia steppe into a completely different landscape.
Apr–May · 8–20°C
The grassland turns green and wildflowers begin to bloom. April and May can be windy — the "windy season" of the steppe. However, the spring is peaceful, with newborn foals and lambs on the grassland, and fewer tourists than summer.
Highlights: Newborn animals, spring blossoms, fewer crowds
Jun–Aug · 18–28°C
The most popular season. The grassland is at its most lush and beautiful — knee-high grass swaying in the wind, wildflowers in full bloom, clear skies. The Naadam Festival in July features traditional Mongolian wrestling, horse racing, and archery. Book ger camps well in advance.
Highlights: Naadam Festival, lush grassland, stargazing
Sep–Nov · 5–18°C
The golden season. The grassland turns amber and gold as the grasses mature, creating a warm, painterly landscape. October brings the eagle hunting season — the best time to see the burkutchi with their golden eagles on the steppe. Night skies are clearest in autumn.
Highlights: Eagle hunting season, golden grasslands, clear skies
Dec–Feb · -18 to -5°C
Freezing and magnificent. The steppe is covered in snow, creating a stark white landscape. The ger camps are largely closed, but the grassland in winter has a dramatic, austere beauty. This is the best time for eagle hunting photography. Very few tourists, lowest prices.
Highlights: Eagle hunting photography, dramatic winter landscape, low prices
A few words go a long way with your driver and herder families.
你好
Hello — The universal greeting.
谢谢
Thank you — Herder families appreciate politeness.
我要住帐篷
I want to stay in a ger — Tell your driver you'd like a ger camp experience.
我要骑马
I want to ride a horse — Essential for horse riding at ger camps.
这个好吃
This is delicious — Especially said after trying whole roasted lamb!
星空好漂亮
The starry sky is beautiful — Tell your ger camp host when you step outside at night.
Fixed price, licensed professional driver, free flight tracking. From Hohhot Airport (HET) or Wulanchabu Airport (UCB) to Wulanchabu grasslands and ger camps.
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Make your Inner Mongolia grassland journey smoother with these essential services.
Stay connected across the Inner Mongolia grasslands with a pocket Wi-Fi device. Pre-book online and pick up at Hohhot Airport or have it delivered to your hotel.
Book Wi-Fi at ChinaWiFiGoExplore the volcanic landscape, ger camps, and eagle hunting culture with a professional English-speaking guide who knows the grassland and local herder families.
Book Guide at VIPChinaGuideAdd a health checkup, dental cleaning, or traditional Mongolian medicine treatment to your Wulanchabu trip. Hohhot's medical services are excellent and affordable.
Book Medical at MediEscortChinaScan the QR code with WhatsApp to add us and start chatting.
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