Four seriously underrated romantic ancient towns in Inner Mongolia|Fewer crowds and free entry, unlock four exotic vibes with one click
Avoid the crowded popular spots. From the Shanxi merchants’ ancient route, imperial Buddhist temples, Sino-Russian border, to the Mongol-Yuan grasslands, each town has its own unique atmosphere, perfect for slow-paced wellness trips or self-driving vacations.
🏮 Longshengzhuang ancient town|Ulanqab · Shanxi merchants’ camel route beyond the Great Wall
Town background
Once a key post on the Zhangku Road, known as the "Little Beijing beyond the Great Wall." Shanxi merchant courtyards, a Catholic church, and a mosque coexist harmoniously. Multiethnic ancient buildings stand quietly. The entire town is open to the public for free.
🚗 Transportation
Self-drive: 2 hours from Hohhot, 30 minutes from Fengzhen city center, free parking at the town entrance
Public: Bus from Hohhot West Station to Fengzhen, then transfer to rural-urban bus; carpool from Jining 35 CNY/person direct
📅 Relaxed 1-day itinerary
Stroll the Ming and Qing dynasty streets to find old shops → visit Shanxi guild hall to reflect on the camel route era → check in at the twin churches for photos → explore the camel route museum → leisurely walk through old residential courtyards
Enjoy a local youmian noodle feast at noon, and watch the soft sunset glow on the stone-paved old street in the evening
🏨 Accommodation & food
✅ Accommodation: traditional courtyard guesthouse 180–280 CNY (breakfast included); options also in town inns and Fengzhen city hotels
✅ Must-try: youmian noodles, Fengzhen mooncakes, millet cakes, farmhouse hand-held meat
💡 Tips
Early morning is when the old street feels most lively; the wooden carvings on ancient buildings are exquisite, great for vintage-style photos; the streets are mostly stone-paved, so wear flat, soft shoes; naturally cool in summer, ideal for escaping the heat.
✨ Duolunor ancient town|Xilin Gol · royal grassland Buddhist city north of Beijing
Town background
An important hub on the Tea Road, a Qing dynasty southern Mongolian trade center. Huizong Temple and Shanyin Temple, two imperial temples built by Emperor Kangxi, anchor the old town. The Shanxi merchant street connects Mongolian, Han, and Tibetan cultures. The town area is free to enter; only the main temples charge a small fee.
🚗 Transportation
Self-drive: 3 hours from Beijing or Xilinhot, ample free parking throughout
Public: Direct bus from Chifeng, short carpool from Zhenglan Banner
📅 Relaxed 1-day itinerary
Pray and meditate at Huizong Temple → explore the Tibetan-style buildings at Shanyin Temple → check in at the Shanxi guild hall site → stroll the Ming and Qing dynasty streets on Xinglong Street
Lunch with grassland hot pot, leisurely afternoon in the old town, then head to the grasslands outside town for sunset
🏨 Accommodation & food
✅ Accommodation: Mongolian-Han style courtyard guesthouses, old town street inns, county chain hotels, priced 180–320 CNY
✅ Must-try: copper pot lamb, hand-held meat, milk skin milk tea, youmian steamed dumplings
💡 Tips
July and August offer the greenest grasslands and best scenery; keep quiet in temple areas and respect religious customs; large temperature swings between day and night on the grasslands, always carry a light jacket; soft lighting at night creates a great atmosphere for evening walks.
🏡 Shiwei ancient town|Hulunbuir · Sino-Russian border Russian-style wooden house secret spot
Town background
One of China’s top 10 charming border towns, home to generations of Chinese-Russian descendants. Rows of original log houses are scattered throughout. The Erguna border river quietly flows through town, with the Russian town clearly visible across the river, full of European pastoral charm. No major entrance fees.
🚗 Transportation
Self-drive: 4 hours from Hailar border highway, 2 hours from Erguna
Public: Bus from Erguna bus station 40 CNY, carpool from Enhe 30 CNY/person 1 hour direct
📅 2-day slow travel itinerary
Day 1
Walk the wooden house old street → take photos at the border marker → stroll and breeze along the Erguna River → boat ride on the border river → visit the folk museum to learn about Chinese-Russian culture
Lunch with Russian rye bread and smoked sausage, catch a golden sunset on the river in the evening
Day 2
Light horseback riding on nearby grasslands → forest hiking to refresh lungs, then leisurely return in the afternoon
🏨 Accommodation & food
✅ Accommodation: log house guesthouses with fireplaces (260–380 CNY including breakfast), river view rooms with windows facing the border river
✅ Must-try: Russian barbecue, kvass, blueberry jam, Siberian soup, fresh grassland meat
💡 Tips
Drones are prohibited in the border area; light-colored outfits match the wooden houses and riverbanks for great photos; very little light pollution, the Milky Way is visible to the naked eye at night.
🐎 Heishantou ancient town|Hulunbuir · Mongol-Yuan horseback sunset holy land
Town background
Birthplace of Genghis Khan’s family, preserving Yuan dynasty ancient city ruins. It features both wetlands and grasslands, recognized as Hulunbuir’s top sunset spot. Horseback riding here offers unbeatable value. The entire area is free to enter.
🚗 Transportation
Self-drive: 3.5 hours from Hailar, 1.5 hours from Shiwei
Public: Direct bus from Erguna, short carpool from Manzhouli
📅 2-day slow travel itinerary
Day 1
Visit Heishantou ancient city ruins → deep horseback ride and walk on the grasslands → wetland viewing platform overlooking the valley → wait for the orange dusk at sunset hill
Evening Mongolian yurt roast lamb feast, clear nights offer open-air stargazing
Day 2
Check out the lesser-known ribbon river spots along the border highway, rest, then return
🏨 Accommodation & food
✅ Accommodation: starry sky yurts, grassland log cabins, immersive nomadic experience
✅ Must-try: whole roast lamb, hand-held meat, salty milk tea, milk tofu, wild mushroom chicken stew
💡 Tips
Sunset hill is a must-visit; summer grasslands have many mosquitoes, bring insect repellent; strong high-altitude UV, sunscreen hats and arm sleeves are essential; always follow the guide’s instructions when horseback riding for safety.
🚙 7-day self-drive loop connecting the four towns (lazy direct version)
D1 Hohhot → Longshengzhuang ancient town, overnight in Fengzhen
D2 Fengzhen → Duolunor ancient town, overnight in Duolun
D3 Duolun → Hailar → Heishantou, stay in grassland yurt
D4 Heishantou → Shiwei ancient town, stay in log house guesthouse
D5 Shiwei → Enhe → Moerdaoga, rest in forest town
D6 Moerdaoga → Manzhouli, visit the border gate and night view
D7 Manzhouli → Hailar, complete the trip
📌 General travel summary
▫ Best season: June–August for cool green scenery; September for golden autumn forest views; winter for quiet ice and snow with fewer crowds
▫ Average cost per person: 1,600–2,400 CNY, most ancient towns have free entry, focusing on high-value slow travel
▫ General tips
1. Grasslands and ancient streets mostly have dirt or stone-paved roads, wear comfortable flat shoes
2. Large temperature differences day and night throughout the route, bring windproof jackets and sun protection
3. Respect local customs of Mongols and Chinese-Russian descendants, travel politely