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Best Things to Do
Top 50 Best Things to Do near Damao Banner [2025]
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Yungang Grottoes
4.8
/5
31541 reviews
8.9
From £1.08
Based on 996 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8603527992666
Address: No. 1, Yungang Town, Yungang District, Datong City, Shanxi Province
Recommended sightseeing time: 3–4 hours
Highlights:
Stroll through the grottoes and explore Forty Caves
59,000+ stone sculptures inside caves
Saved by 845 users24612 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
The grottoes are a magnificent collection of sculptures, quite different from those in Dunhuang, Longmen, and Maijishan. There are a few unique hidden gems that require careful listening to the explanations to find. I visited them twice, and it would take a whole day to see them all!
The Yungang Grottoes, formerly known as the Wuzhou Mountain Grottoes Temple, are a World Cultural Heritage site and a national 5A-level scenic area. Located on the southern slope of Wuzhou (Zhou) Mountain, about 16 kilometers west of Datong City, Shanxi Province, the grottoes cover an area of over 18,000 square meters. Carved during the Northern Wei Dynasty's establishment of its capital in Pingcheng, they are one of my country's three major grottoes. In March 1961, they were designated as one of the first batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units by the State Council. In December 2001, they were approved by UNESCO to be included in the World Cultural Heritage List. In May 2007, they became one of the first batch of national 5A-level tourist attractions.
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Dazhao Temple
4.7
/5
7998 reviews
8.3
From £3.75
Based on 139 reviews
Dazhao Temple / Saishang old street | >100 km from downtown
Phone +8604716303154
Address: Dazhao Street, Yuquan District, Hohhot City
Recommended sightseeing time: 2–3 hours
Highlights:
10-yard golden dragon & mural
Grand blessing ceremony on Lantern Festival
Saved by 355 users5153 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Dazhao Temple, located in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, is a symbol of Mongolian culture and boasts stunning scenery. The night view is especially beautiful, with folk performances every evening and a distinctive pedestrian street. It's truly beautiful.
One fantastic place to visit. I went first thing in the morning so I was more or less by myself the entire time.
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Whistling Dune Bay
4.3
/5
4808 reviews
8.2
From £12.86
Based on 81 reviews
Xiangshawan | >100 km from downtown
Phone +864008785550
Address: Dalad, Ordos, Inner Mongolia, China
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5–1 day
Highlights:
Breathtaking desert views & panorama
Camel rides in the desert
Saved by 339 users3092 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
This is my second time here, this time with my three-year-old. Since we've never seen such a large beach before, we had a lot of fun.
However, for adults, the other activities are all paid, so the value for money isn't quite right.
Today, Ordos is increasingly green, and it's rare to find such a small patch of desert left for tourists to experience. There are plenty of recreational activities, and the service is generally good. My summer trip was long ago, but the dark clouds and lightning over the desert during the thunderstorms remain vividly in my memory.
No.
4
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Huayan Monastery
4.8
/5
10680 reviews
8.1
From £4.29
Based on 147 reviews
Ancient City Tourist Cultural Area | >100 km from downtown
Phone +8603522042025
Address: No. 459 Xia Sipo Street, Datong City
Recommended sightseeing time: 1–2 hours
Saved by 175 users8808 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Before visiting Huayan Temple, I hadn't done any research and didn't know its history or appearance, so I had low expectations. The day I went, although it was raining, it was indescribably beautiful. The murals inside the temple were even more breathtaking. It's definitely worth a trip to Datong just for Huayan Temple.
The Liao and Jin dynasty architecture is magnificent and grand, with murals and statues that are a feast for the eyes. We marvel at the advanced wisdom and aesthetic sense of our ancestors, and are grateful to Mayor Geng for preserving and restoring this magnificent landscape.
No.
5
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Wulanhada Volcano Geopark
4.1
/5
799 reviews
7.7
Ulan Hada Volcano Geopark | >100 km from downtown
Phone +8604744811717
Address: Chahar Right Wing Hou Banner, Wulanchabu City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5–1 day
Highlights:
Safe volcano summit & entry
Explore 20+ new volcano relics
Saved by 168 users607 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
We arrived at the volcano on the afternoon of the first day of the National Day holiday. It wasn't crowded. No need to exchange tickets for self-drive vehicles; you can enter directly at the self-drive entrance. There are manual ticket checks and exchange. Each volcano has a parking lot, but the parking order is a bit chaotic. We drove a go-kart for 80 yuan per car (negotiable). It went around the volcano. There was a fireworks show at night, but it was too cold to watch.
My first visit to Ulahada Volcano was high, but upon entering the scenic area, I was somewhat disappointed. The volcano wasn't as majestic as I'd imagined. The most unpleasant experience was the traffic jams. During the National Day holiday, the area was packed with tourists, and the roads were one-way, resulting in frequent traffic jams. Self-driving tourists were constantly cutting in line, ignoring the one-way traffic rules. The management of the scenic area was also quite disorganized, truly no more than a AAA-rated scenic spot. To enhance its influence and service levels, much work needs to be done, such as improving scenic area management and implementing appropriate vehicle flow control measures. Furthermore, I personally feel that the sanitation management of the scenic area needs improvement, with a strong whiff of commercial development. I hope the scenic area management will address these issues and not wait until the tourists have stopped visiting before regretting it. By then, it's too late. Remember this!
No.
6
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Xilitu Zhao Temple
4.7
/5
777 reviews
7.2
From £2.63
Based on 21 reviews
Dazhao Temple / Saishang old street | >100 km from downtown
Phone +8615949417672
Address: North end of Stone Alley, Yuquan District, Hohhot City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Aegion
Recommended sightseeing time: 1 hour
Highlights:
Ancient architecture & nature views
Vast grounds & grand gate
Saved by 110 users510 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
This Ming Dynasty building, rich in cultural, historical, and verve, lies across from the Jokhang Temple and bordered by Shaomai Street. It embodies a rich tapestry of history and religious heritage. Walking quietly here, one hears the stirrings of history. Emperor Kangxi himself once stayed here temporarily, and the area has witnessed different people and events throughout history. This powerful statement demonstrates that successful cultural tourism must integrate the humanities. It's truly true.
Xilituzhao's architectural style blends traditional Han and Tibetan elements, with a symmetrical layout along a central axis. The various cultural relics preserved within the temple are of great value to the study of the history of Tibetan Buddhism in Hohhot.
No.
7
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Hongshiya National Ecological Park Inner Mongolia
4.5
/5
293 reviews
6.9
From £6.11
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8613604718773
Address: 内蒙古乌兰察布市卓资县红召乡官庄子村
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5–1 day
Highlights:
Yak feast & grassland festival
Horseback riding & archery adventures
258 positive reviewsRecently viewed by 1,000+ people
Verified user reviews
The sunset is beautiful, the alpine grassland is stunning, the scenic area is very convenient to drive by, the ticket is still a bit expensive, the scenery is still better in summer. Navigate to Tianci Grassland and drive all the way up. When you see the sign of Sky Grassland, go a little higher and you can watch the sunset. Remember to bring a down jacket
When Master Zhang contacted us one day in advance, he would tell us what you wanted to know. Thanks to Master Zhang's foresight, we successfully avoided the traffic jam. After the trip, the local food recommended by Master Zhang was also very good. Chartering a car really gives you a lot of freedom.
No.
8
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Laoniuwan Yellow River Grand Canyon Tourist Area
4.4
/5
424 reviews
6.9
From £9.62
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8604717914669
Address: Lao Niuwan Village, Shantaizi Township, Qingshuihe County, Hohhot City
Recommended sightseeing time: 1–2 hours
Highlights:
Yellow River & Great Wall intersection
Glass platform overlooks canyon views
Saved by 231 users283 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
It was amazing, so worth it! It's so much better than Laoniuwan in Shanxi. I also have to give a thumbs up to the friendly lady at the ticket office at the Big Pagoda. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
I've visited so many scenic spots, but I've never seen a restroom as clean and tidy as this one. In the Laoniuwan restroom, I encountered a white-haired grandmother 👵 cleaning it. The entire bathroom was spotless, without a single odor. Are Mongolians just that obsessed with cleanliness? So respectful. Thank you!
A special thank you to the scenic spot for offering free admission to police officers nationwide, and especially to a family member. Thank you! 🌹❤️ Thanks!
Laoniuwan has two main parking lots: Chengwan and Niuzhuanqiankun, about a dozen kilometers apart.
Most drivers park at Chengwan, then take a boat to Tieniu Square (the scenic area directly adjacent to Niuzhuanqiankun). From Tieniu Square, you can see the first bend of the Yellow River, then take a bus back to Chengwan to pick up your car.
However, every year in mid-to-late August, flood discharges cause the Yellow River water level at Laoniuwan to be very low, even drying up in some sections. Boat service is suspended, forcing you to go to Niuzhuanqiankun. From there, take a shuttle bus to the terminal, then walk 1.1 kilometers to Tieniu Square. This walk is lined with farmhouses and B&Bs, making it convenient for dining.
During flood discharges, the water level is low and yellow, severely impacting the landscape. I personally think the scenic area should offer discounted admission during this period.
No.
9
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The Mausoleum of Genghis Khan
4.3
/5
1109 reviews
6.9
From £9.65
Based on 84 reviews
Genghis Khan Mausoleum Tourist Area | >100 km from downtown
Phone +8604778961222
Address: Near the Intersection of Ejin Horo Street and Prague Road, Ejin Horo Banner, Ordos City
Recommended sightseeing time: 2–3 hours
Highlights:
Mongolian games & culture experience
Mongolian scenery on grassland
575 positive reviewsRecently viewed by 1,000+ people
Verified user reviews
Visiting with the guide did deepen my understanding of history; however, while the site is large, the content is limited. Without a guide, you can complete the tour in half an hour, so be sure to do some research before you come. Most importantly, you can use the Ordos Tourist Card to get free admission. I was so sad not to use it at the time. Everyone should definitely buy the Ordos Tourist Card.
The Genghis Khan Mausoleum, located in Ejin Horo Banner, Ordos, boasts a majestic entrance plaza featuring a magnificent statue of Genghis Khan on horseback, whip in hand. Inside, the grasslands are vast, and the performances are diverse. Tickets are 90 yuan per person, with packages including performances available. Opposite, the distinctive Shuangju Square is accessible by shuttle bus. It's worth a visit if you have the time.
No.
10
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Wudangzhao
4.6
/5
1769 reviews
6.9
From £5.90
Based on 40 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8604728715022
Address: Wudangzhao, Shiguai District, Baotou City
Recommended sightseeing time: 2–3 hours
Highlights:
Tibetan ritual dance in June
Important Gelugpa Tibetan Buddhist monastery
983 positive reviewsRecently viewed by 1,000+ people
Verified user reviews
As one of the four famous Tibetan Buddhist temples in China, Wudangzhao Temple is renowned alongside the Potala Palace in Tibet, Kumbum Monastery in Qinghai, and Labrang Monastery in Gansu. It is the largest, most complete, and best-preserved Gelugpa Tibetan Buddhist temple in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and is known as the "First Temple of the Northern Grasslands" and the "Little Potala Palace on the Grasslands." The scenic area is built against the mountainside in a typical Tibetan style. The main buildings consist of six halls (including the Suguqin Hall and Dongkuoer Hall), three Living Buddha residences, and a mausoleum. There is no unified central axis; each building is a self-contained entity.
Similar to the Potala Palace and the Zabulunto Monastery, the thangka murals are exquisite and the temple boasts a rich history, making it well worth a visit.
The only drawback is the distance, requiring only a car. There are no direct buses, making transportation inconvenient.
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