7 Days in Baotou

The 1950s base shows tanks and guns at the open-air park, then deer and meadow paths at Saihantala inside the city.

1. baotou northern weapons city
2. baotou saihantala grassland

A full unhurried loop of the urban grassland — boardwalks, deer, yurt tea houses and sunset over the steppe grass with the skyline behind.

1. baotou saihantala grassland

Northeast into the Yinshan folds for the early-Qing monastery, expanded in 1749 as Guangjue Temple and state-protected since 1996; Shimen's valley reservoir on the return.

1. baotou wudang lha monastery
2. baotou shimen scenic area

The 16th-century walls-and-halls compound in Tumed Right Banner, its main gate dated 1606, with murals and a mixed Mongolian-Han village around it.

1. baotou meidaizhao

Ridge-walking the stone and rammed-earth Qin wall sections at Guyang, around 2,200 years old; back through the county town for a late lunch.

1. baotou guyang qin great wall

North to the 1,700 m steppe — horse trails, the Qing Puhui Temple by the river, and a yurt night under wide skies.

1. baotou xilamuren grassland

Back from the grassland in the morning; the Qing-era Miaofa Temple sits in the old Donghe quarter, and the market streets close the trip with roast lamb and milk snacks before the train.

1. baotou miaofa temple
2. baotou city markets