Create meetup in Chifengchevron_right
Select a place on the map to change the location.
I want to meet
Verified required?
explore Chifeng Guides
Things to Do in Chifeng (2026)
The Chifeng Museum (Hongshan District, Zhaowuda Road) is the best introduction to the region's history, especially the Hongshan culture. Admission is free, and it opens fromβ¦ ποΈ Start at the Museum
The Chifeng Museum (Hongshan District, Zhaowuda Road) is the best introduction to the region's history, especially the Hongshan culture. Admission is free, and it opens from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (closed Mondays). Allow at least two hours to see the jade artifacts and ancient pottery.
ποΈ Explore the Hexigten Global Geopark
About 200 km north of Chifeng city, the Hexigten Global Geopark features dramatic granite peaks and volcanic landforms. The park is open year-round, but summer (June to August) offers the best hiking conditions. Entry is 120 RMB per person, and you can hire a guide at the visitor center for around 300 RMB.
π Ride the Grasslands at Ulan Butong
Ulan Butong Grassland, a 3-hour drive from Chifeng, is a prime spot for horse riding and experiencing Mongolian culture. Horseback tours start at 100 RMB per hour, and many local families offer homestays with traditional meals. Visit in July or August for the Naadam Festival, where you can watch wrestling and archery.
π― Visit the Liao Dynasty Tombs
The Liao Dynasty Tombs (about 30 km southeast of Chifeng in Bairin Left Banner) are a UNESCO World Heritage site. The tombs date back to the 10th-12th centuries and feature intricate murals. Entry is 50 RMB, and it's best to visit in spring or autumn to avoid extreme temperatures.
π Taste Mongolian Hotpot
For an authentic local meal, head to Xiaofeiyang Hotpot (Hongshan District, Zhanqian Street), where lamb is the star. A hotpot for two costs around 150-200 RMB, and they serve fresh local vegetables and handmade noodles. The restaurant is open from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM daily.
π Getting Around Chifeng
Chifeng's public bus system covers most of the city with fares starting at 1 RMB, but taxis are more convenient for short trips (flagfall 7 RMB). For outlying attractions like the grasslands or geoparks, consider renting a car or joining a day tour from the main bus station. Didi (Chinese Uber) is also widely available.
π Evening Stroll at Hongshan Park
Hongshan Park in the city center is a lovely spot for an evening walk, with illuminated pagodas and a small lake. The park is free and open until 10:00 PM. Nearby, the night market on Zhaowuda Road offers street food like grilled lamb skewers and fried dough twists.
π Catch a Mongolian Performance
The Chifeng Grand Theater (Hongshan District, Yingbin Road) hosts traditional Mongolian music and dance shows several times a week. Tickets range from 80 to 200 RMB, and performances usually start at 7:30 PM. Check the schedule in advance, as shows are less frequent in winter.
yeah the guide's pretty thorough. one thing i'd throw in is if you're driving to hexigten, stop at the shirenzi stone forest along the way. it's not as famous as the geopark itself but those weird wind-carved rocks look surreal at sunrise, and there's almost no one there. also for the liao tombs, the murals are amazing but the real treat is the little temple ruin about a km past the main site, the brickwork still has faded red paint on it from the original dynasty
ngl the museum tip is solid but the real hidden gem is the small hongshan culture museum inside the geopark visitor center. it has these tiny jade dragons they found locally that aren't in the main city museum, way more intimate. also if you're doing the Liao tombs, bring a flashlight, the murals are in dim chambers and your phone light barely does them justice. for the grassland, skip the touristy horse tours near the main road and head to the back pastures past wulanbutong village, locals charge like 50 kuai for an hour and you get way better views of the hills
the yulin tombs tip is good but honestly if you have time, go a bit further east to the ancient city site at shangjing, it's the old liao capital and there's barely anyone there. the ruins are huge and you can just walk around the old palace foundations, feels way more raw than the tombs. also for hotpot, menggu wang is great but if you want a real local thing, try the street stalls near the night market for instant-boiled lamb in a clay pot, it's like 30 yuan and hits different after a cold day
3 Days in Chifeng: Itinerary 2026
Start your morning at Hongshan Park (ηΊ’ε±±ε ¬ε), a free public park with walking paths and a small lake. From there, walk 10 minutes to Chifeng Museum (θ΅€ε³°εη©ι¦), open 9:00-β¦ πΊοΈ Day 1: City Center
Start your morning at Hongshan Park (ηΊ’ε±±ε ¬ε), a free public park with walking paths and a small lake. From there, walk 10 minutes to Chifeng Museum (θ΅€ε³°εη©ι¦), open 9:00-17:00 (closed Mondays), to learn about the region's Neolithic and Mongol history. For lunch, head to the nearby Wanda Plaza food court for local dishes like shaomai and hand-pulled noodles.
ποΈ Day 1 Afternoon: Cultural Sites
After lunch, take a 15-minute taxi to the Qingzhen Temple (ζΈ ηε―Ί), a historic mosque built in 1739, located at 1 South Street. Then walk 5 minutes to the Chifeng Confucian Temple (εεΊ), a peaceful courtyard with ancient trees. End your afternoon at the bustling Xinhua Street Market (ζ°εθ‘εΈεΊ) for souvenirs and local snacks.
π Day 1 Evening: Night Market
As dusk falls, head to the Chifeng Night Market (θ΅€ε³°ε€εΈ) on Zhaowuda Road, open from 18:00 to 23:00. Sample grilled lamb skewers (5 RMB each), fried tofu, and sweet potato balls. The market is lively with locals and offers a great introduction to Inner Mongolian street food.
ποΈ Day 2: Hexigten Global Geopark
Take a 2-hour bus from Chifeng Bus Station to Hexigten Global Geopark (ε δ»ε θ ΎδΈηε°θ΄¨ε ¬ε), departing at 7:30 AM (50 RMB one way). The park features volcanic landscapes, granite peaks, and the famous Asihatu Stone Forest (ιΏζ―εεΎη³ζ). Spend 4-5 hours hiking the marked trails; entry is 120 RMB.
π² Day 2 Lunch: Local Eatery
Inside the geopark, the visitor center has a simple cafeteria serving hotpot and noodle soups for around 30-40 RMB. Alternatively, bring a picnic to enjoy at one of the scenic viewpoints. Try the local yogurt drink (suan nai) for a refreshing break.
π Day 2 Return: Evening Relaxation
Catch the last bus back to Chifeng at 17:00 (arrives around 19:00). Once back, unwind at the Chifeng Hot Spring (θ΅€ε³°ζΈ©ζ³) on Yingbin Road, open until 22:00 (entry 80 RMB). The mineral pools are perfect for soothing tired muscles after a day of hiking.
π Day 3: Grasslands and Horse Riding
Join a half-day tour to the nearby Keshiketeng Grassland (ε δ»ε θ Ύθε), about 1.5 hours drive (tours from 200 RMB per person, including transport and guide). You'll have 2-3 hours to ride horses (100 RMB per hour) or walk through the rolling green hills. The best photo spots are near the Baiyinaobao White Birch Forest.
ποΈ Day 3 Afternoon: Last Shopping
Return to Chifeng by 14:00 and visit the Mongolian Handicraft Street (θε€ζζε·₯θΊεθ‘) on Jiefang Road. Here you can buy cashmere scarves (from 150 RMB), carved bone ornaments, and traditional hats. Bargaining is expected; start at half the asking price. Most shops close at 18:00.
Solid itinerary, covers the main bases well. I'd swap out the Wanda food court for the noodle shops on Zhanqian Street near the train station, the hand-pulled noodles are cheaper and more authentic there, about 12 RMB a bowl. For the night market, the fried tofu is fine but the real standout is the roasted whole lamb skewers from the stall with the yellow awning near the south entrance, they use a spicier rub that's closer to what you'd find in the countryside.
One thing the guide doesn't mention is that the bus to Hexigten can be packed on weekends, so book your ticket a day ahead at the station or through the WeChat mini program they use now. The hot spring suggestion is smart, but I'd go earlier in the evening around 7 PM to avoid the after-dinner crowd that shows up around 8.
This is a solid itinerary. I've done the Hexigten Geopark day myself and would add that the bus back to Chifeng can fill up fast in summer, so it's worth getting to the stop 15 minutes early. The hot spring suggestion is a good one, but I prefer the smaller pool on the left side, it's usually less crowded and the water feels a bit hotter.
For the grassland day, the Baiyinaobao birch forest is nice but if you have time, ask your driver to stop at the Dali Nur lake viewpoint on the way back. It's not on most tour routes but the light hits the water beautifully around 3 PM. One thing about the cashmere on Handicraft Street, the real deals are usually in the back of the shops, not the front displays.
honestly the itinerary looks good, i've been living here for a few years now and the museum tip about the courtyard is real, it's a nice break from the crowds. for day 3 though, if you're heading to the grasslands, skip the tour bus and just take the local bus from the north station to Keshiketeng banner town, it's like 25 RMB and runs every hour until 4 PM. from there you can haggle with local herders directly for horse rides, usually around 60-80 RMB per hour instead of the tourist price. the herders near the Dali Nur lake are friendlier and less pushy about extras in my experience.
one thing the guide missed is the weather, late april to early june is still pretty windy and cold on the grasslands, so bring a windbreaker even if it feels warm in the city. also the night market is great but the lamb skewers at the stall with the red lanterns near the middle are better than the yellow awning one, the rub is spicier and they use a charcoal grill instead of gas.