Ulanqab Travel Guide

The Ulanqab Volcanic Field is one of China's most impressive Quaternary volcanic landscapes, featuring over 30 well-preserved volcanic cones. The most famous is the "Red Mountain" volcano, with its striking red and black cinder cone rising dramatically from the grassland. Several volcanoes are accessible for hiking — visitors can walk up to the crater rims and see the volcanic bombs and lava flows up close. The landscape is so otherworldly that it has been compared to the surface of Mars.

Huitengxile (meaning "cold plateau" in Mongolian) is a high-altitude grassland at 2,100 meters above sea level. Unlike the flat grasslands typical of Inner Mongolia, Huitengxile features rolling hills covered in wildflowers during summer. The grassland is dotted with hundreds of wind turbines — this is Asia's largest wind farm. Visitors can ride horses, explore the flower meadows, and stay in traditional Mongolian yurts.

Sumu Mountain is a deep, rugged canyon system formed by volcanic activity and water erosion. The canyon walls reveal colorful geological strata, and the mountain is covered in lush forest — a rare sight in the region. Hiking trails lead through the canyon, past waterfalls, and up to viewpoints overlooking the vast grassland. The area is also a habitat for deer, wild boar, and diverse bird species.

Daihai Lake is a beautiful highland lake in the southern part of Ulanqab, surrounded by rolling green hills and grassland. The lake's clear, blue waters are home to a variety of fish species, and the surrounding area is an important wetland for migratory birds. Visitors can take boat rides, try fishing, and enjoy fresh lake fish at lakeside restaurants. The lake's name means "sea of precious stones" in Mongolian.

The Ulanqab Museum offers comprehensive exhibits on the region's geological history, including the volcanic formation, and its cultural heritage from Neolithic settlements through Mongol rule to modern times. Highlights include Bronze Age artifacts from the region, traditional Mongolian costumes, and exhibits on the unique volcanic ecosystem.