Chifeng City Area

Birthplace of the Hongshan culture and the Khitan Liao dynasty, with Harqin Prince's Mansion, the Daming Pagoda of the Liao Central Capital, Yulong Desert Lake and Meilin Valley ski resort on the city's outskirts.

Chifeng lies in southeastern Inner Mongolia, where Inner Mongolia, Hebei and Liaoning meet, in the transition zone between the Inner Mongolian Plateau and the Liao River Plain. Its Mongolian name, Ulanhad, means red mountain. It is the type site that gave the Hongshan culture its name and the cradle of the Khitan Liao dynasty, with exceptionally rich archaeological remains. This destination centers on Chifeng city and covers Harqin Banner, Ningcheng County and Ongniud Banner; Asihatu, Dali Lake and Ulan Butong in Hexigten Banner to the north are covered separately under the Hexigten and Saihanba & Weichang destinations. The climate is mid-temperate, semi-arid and continental, with cool summers; from July to September the vegetation is lush and the desert lake is at its most scenic. From late September to early October the forests turn into a patchwork of autumn colors, and the cold, dry winters are ideal for skiing at Meilin Valley and soaking in Ningcheng's hot springs. The area divides into four parts: in the city, Chifeng Museum, Hongshan (Red Mountain) and the Erdaojingzi site; to the southwest, Harqin Prince's Mansion, Lingyue Temple, Longquan Temple and Meilin Valley; to the south, the Daming Pagoda of the Liao Central Capital, Reshui hot springs and Daoxugou Forest in Ningcheng; to the north, Yulong Desert Lake in Ongniud Banner. Getting there: Chifeng Yulong Airport has flights to Beijing, Shanghai and elsewhere, and a branch of the Beijing–Shenyang high-speed railway reaches Chifeng Station, about 3 hours from Beijing; sights are spread out, so self-driving or hiring a car is recommended. Allow 3–4 days, or 6–7 days if combined with the Hexigten grasslands. Food to try: Chifeng duijia (stuffed flatbread), barbecue, mutton and buckwheat helê noodles. Note: temperatures swing widely between day and night on the grasslands and sandy land, so bring a jacket even in summer; mountain roads ice up in winter, so drive with care.

Top sights

Where to eat

Itineraries