Travel in Inner Mongolia

Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, established in 1947 as the first Chinese ethnic groups' autonomous region, is located in China's northern borderline, and occupies 1,180,000 square kilometers. Its capital is Hohhot, which means "the Green City" in Mongolian, and has been designated as one of the state-listed production bases for ethnic groups special necessities. 

Geography:

Besides hills, plains, deserts, rivers and lakes, Inner Mongolia has plateau landforms, mostly over 1,000 meters (about 13,780 feet) above sea level, including the Inner Mongolia Plateau, the second largest among the four major plateaus in the country.

Weather:

Inner Mongolia, with a temperate continental monsoon climate, has a cold, long winter with frequent blizzards and a warm, short summer. Except for the relatively humid Greater Hinggan Mountain Area, the greater part of Inner Mongolia is arid, semi-arid and semi-humid from west to east. Average winter temperature ranges between -3.5℃ and -15℃, with extreme minimum temperatures of -26℃ - -50℃. In most areas, winters last for more than five months, with Hulunbuir remaining cold for about seven months. The mean summer temperature ranges between 20.1℃ and 25.3℃, with an extreme maximum temperature of 35℃- 45℃.The difference in temperatures between day and night also varies greatly throughout the year.

Language:

Mongolian is co-official with Mandarin in the area. There are different dialects of both spoken throughout the region. The north east of the province speaks with a Dongbei accent that is very similar to standard Mandarin Chinese. Central areas speak the Jin dialect of Chinese. The two dialects are mutually unintelligible.

Folk Culture：

Mongolia is home to the "three manly sports": wrestling, horse racing, and archery, and these three sporting events take place annually at the Naadam Festival.

Naadam Festival：Naadam is the National Holiday of Mongolia celebrated on 11-13 Jul. During these days all of Mongolia watches or listens to the whole event which takes place in the capital city of Ulaanbaatar through Mongolia's National Television and Radio. 

Andai Dance: Andai dance is popular in Inner Mongolia, originated in Kulun banner. Traditional Andai is given priority to with singing, accompanied by dance movements, is a way of curative of Khorchin, which color with superstition. 

Tips on Local customs:

1. As a guest, you should walk into the Mongolian yurt from the left side of the fireplace. Don't sit at the north of the yurt, since that's the seat for the host. Do not sit on the threshold.

2. In winter, don't step on the snow at the northern and western side of the yurt, since the snow there is preserved for drinking water.

3. When served with milk tea, you should receive it with both hands, or, just your right hand. Never with your left hand only.

4. Don't refuse the hosts' wine.