A vast Horqin grassland city where Mongolian nomadic traditions meet vibrant frontier culture, home to the legendary Horqin steppe and the birthplace of Mongolian heroic epic "Gesar".
Tongliao is a prefecture-level city in eastern Inner Mongolia, situated on the Horqin Grassland — one of China's four great grasslands. The city is an important transportation hub connecting Inner Mongolia with the northeastern provinces of Jilin and Liaoning.
The Horqin Grassland gives Tongliao its distinctive character. Unlike the iconic flat, treeless grasslands of the Mongolian steppe, Horqin is a "sandy grassland" — a landscape of gentle dunes covered in grass, scattered with elm groves and wetlands. This unique ecosystem supports a rich diversity of plant and animal life and has shaped the nomadic culture of the region's Mongolian inhabitants.
Tongliao holds a special place in Mongolian cultural heritage. It is one of the birthplaces of the Gesar epic, the Mongolian version of the ancient Central Asian heroic saga, recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The region's Mongolian communities maintain strong cultural traditions, including throat singing (höömii), long-song folk music, and the annual Nadam Festival.
The city proper and its surrounding banners are known for agricultural production — Tongliao is one of Inner Mongolia's main grain-producing areas, particularly known for buckwheat, corn, and sunflowers. The region also has substantial wind energy resources, with wind farms dotting the grassland landscape.
The Tongliao area has been inhabited by nomadic peoples for millennia. During the Liao Dynasty (907-1125 AD), the region was part of the Khitan Empire's territory. The Mongol Empire later incorporated the area, and it became part of the Horqin Mongol banners during the Qing Dynasty.
The modern city of Tongliao developed as a railway town in the early 20th century, with the construction of the railway connecting it to the Northeast China railway network. The city was originally called "Zhelimu" and served as an administrative and commercial center for the surrounding banners.
After 1949, Tongliao grew as an agricultural and transportation hub. The city was renamed from Zhelimu League to Tongliao City in 1999 as part of administrative restructuring. In recent decades, the city has balanced economic development with ecological conservation of the fragile Horqin grassland ecosystem.
The Horqin grassland has faced desertification challenges due to overgrazing and climate change. Large-scale ecological restoration projects have been implemented to combat sand encroachment and restore the grassland ecosystem.
Tongliao's economy is primarily agricultural, with crop farming and animal husbandry as the main sectors. The city is one of Inner Mongolia's major grain producers, with corn, buckwheat, and sunflowers as primary crops. The Horqin Grassland supports extensive livestock farming, particularly sheep and cattle.
The city has developed food processing industries, including meat processing, dairy production, and flour milling. Wind energy has become an important sector, with the region's strong and consistent winds attracting major wind farm investments.
Coal mining also contributes to the economy, with several mines operating in the region. Transportation and logistics play a significant role due to Tongliao's strategic location connecting Inner Mongolia with the northeastern provinces. Tourism is developing around the Horqin Grassland and Daqinggou.
Discover the culinary treasures of Tongliao, from traditional street food to imperial cuisine.
A one-day immersion into Tongliao's grassland culture and unique forest gorge.
Tongliao Airport has direct flights to Beijing, Hohhot, and other major cities in the region.
Tongliao Railway Station is on the Beijing-Tongliao railway line with connections to Shenyang, Changchun, and Hohhot.
Long-distance buses connect Tongliao to all banners and neighboring cities. Local buses serve the urban area.
Available throughout the city
Apr - May
Cool and windy. The grassland turns green gradually. Occasional sandstorms. Fewer tourists.
Jun - Aug
Warm and pleasant, the best time for grassland travel. Lush green pastures, comfortable temperatures (20-28°C), and the Nadam Festival.
Sep - Oct
Golden grasslands and comfortable temperatures. Harvest season. Good for photography.
Nov - Mar
Cold and dry (-15 to 0°C). Snow-covered landscape. Very few tourists.
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