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Best Food in Tongliao (2026)
Tongliao's cuisine is heavily influenced by Mongolian and northeastern Chinese flavors. The star dish is hand-pulled lamb noodles (shou zhua yang rou mian), a hearty bowl… 🍜 Must-Try Local Dishes
Tongliao's cuisine is heavily influenced by Mongolian and northeastern Chinese flavors. The star dish is hand-pulled lamb noodles (shou zhua yang rou mian), a hearty bowl of chewy noodles in a rich, aromatic broth. Another local favorite is kumiss (fermented mare's milk), a tangy, slightly alcoholic beverage that pairs well with grilled meats.
🥟 Top Restaurant: Xilin Guo
Xilin Guo, located at 88 Huolinhe Street, is renowned for its authentic Mongolian hot pot and handmade dumplings. The lamb dumplings (yang rou jiaozi) are a must-order, costing around 38 CNY for a plate of 12. The restaurant is open daily from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM, and reservations are recommended on weekends.
🍢 Street Food Hub: Night Market
The Tongliao Night Market on Minzhu Road comes alive after 6:00 PM with dozens of stalls. Try the grilled lamb skewers (5 CNY each) and the crispy fried milk (zha niunai, 10 CNY per serving). The market is busiest from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM, so arrive early to avoid long queues.
🍖 Best BBQ: Mengxiangyuan
Mengxiangyuan at 256 Xinhua Street specializes in Mongolian-style barbecue, where you grill your own meat at the table. A set meal for two with lamb, beef, and vegetables costs around 120 CNY. The restaurant is open from 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM, and the smoky, savory aromas will draw you in from the street.
🥛 Dairy Delights: Nai Cha
For a taste of local dairy, visit Nai Cha, a small shop at 45 Hailaer Road. Their signature milk tea (nai cha) is made with fresh cow's milk and a touch of salt, costing 8 CNY per cup. They also sell homemade yogurt (15 CNY) and dried cheese snacks (20 CNY per bag), perfect for taking on the go.
🍚 Budget Eats: Muslim Quarter
The Muslim Quarter near the Great Mosque offers affordable and filling meals. Head to Qingzhen Xiaochi (Halal Snacks) on Jiefang Road for a plate of hand-pulled beef noodles (12 CNY) or a lamb pilaf (18 CNY). Most stalls are open from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM, and the area is especially lively during lunch hours.
🍰 Sweet Treats: Mongolian Pastries
Don't leave Tongliao without trying boortsog, a fried Mongolian pastry dusted with sugar. You can find fresh boortsog at the bakery on 78 Zhelimu Street for 5 CNY each. Another local sweet is the milk cake (nai lao), a creamy, cheese-like dessert sold at most dairy shops for around 25 CNY per block.
🍵 Tea Culture: Suutei Tsai
Suutei Tsai, a traditional Mongolian milk tea, is a staple in Tongliao. Visit the tea house at 12 Horqin Avenue to sample a bowl for 6 CNY. The tea is often served with a pinch of salt and a dollop of butter, and it's a warming drink that locals enjoy throughout the day.
ngl that guide is pretty solid, especially the Xilin Guo rec. i'd add that if you go there, their grilled lamb ribs are actually better than the dumplings imo, they do them with this cumin and chili rub that's insane. costs about 48 CNY for a half kilo.
one thing they missed is the morning market near the West Gate bus station, it's not as touristy as the night market. you can get fresh boortsog straight from the fryer for like 3 CNY each and they're way fluffier. also there's a guy selling smoked horse meat sausage there for 15 CNY a stick, it's a bit of an acquired taste but worth trying.
tbh the dairy shop on Hailaer Road is good but there's a smaller place at 23 Zhelimu Street that does a better suutei tsai, thicker and saltier the way i like it. open 8 AM to 6 PM tho so go early
I live a few blocks from the night market and I'd say the grilled lamb skewers are better if you find the stall run by the older Uyghur guy at the far end near the parking lot. He does a cumin and chili blend that's darker and smokier than the others, and he'll give you a discount if you buy ten or more. The standard ones are fine, but his are worth the walk.
For anyone with a sweet tooth, the milk cake at Nai Cha is good but the one from the dairy cooperative at 89 Huolinhe Street is creamier and less sweet. They cut it fresh from a big wheel and it's 22 CNY per block, keeps well in a bag for a couple days if you're moving around. I usually grab some before a train ride.
The guide covers the big spots well, but I'd add that the fried milk at the night market is better if you go to the stall closest to the Minzhu Road entrance, the one with the yellow sign. They use a slightly thicker batter and it stays crispy longer, worth the extra minute wait.
For a proper breakfast, skip the Muslim Quarter and head to the little joint at 56 Huolinhe Street, just past Xilin Guo. They do a lamb offal soup with flatbread for 15 CNY that'll set you right for a day of wandering. Opens at 6:30 AM and the broth is rich and peppery, gets busy with locals by 7.
The boortsog bakery on Zhelimu Street is solid, but the ones from the morning market are cheaper and come straight from the oil. If you see a woman in a blue apron selling them near the vegetable section, grab a few.
Where to Stay in Tongliao (2026)
The area around Horgin Street and Zhelimu Avenue is Tongliao's commercial heart, with easy access to shopping malls like Wanda Plaza and the Tongliao Railway Station. Mid-range… 🏙️ City Center Hub
The area around Horgin Street and Zhelimu Avenue is Tongliao's commercial heart, with easy access to shopping malls like Wanda Plaza and the Tongliao Railway Station. Mid-range hotels such as the Jinjiang Inn (around 250-350 CNY per night) are common here, making it ideal for first-time visitors and digital nomads who want convenience.
🌳 Quiet West District
West of the city center, near the Xilamulun River, you'll find quieter neighborhoods with parks and tree-lined streets. This area suits families and travelers seeking relaxation, with guesthouses like the Tongliao Riverside Inn starting at 180 CNY per night. It's a 15-minute taxi ride to the main attractions.
🌙 Nightlife on Huolin Road
Huolin Road and its side streets come alive after dark with bars, karaoke lounges, and late-night eateries. Budget hostels like the Tongliao Backpackers (dorm beds from 60 CNY) cater to young travelers and night owls. Expect noise until midnight, but the energy is unmatched.
🚗 Family-Friendly South
The southern district near the Tongliao Museum and People's Park offers spacious apartments and family-run hotels. The Tongliao Family Suites (around 400 CNY for a two-bedroom) provide kitchenettes and playground access. It's a 10-minute drive to the zoo and science center.
💻 Digital Nomad Spots
Co-working spaces like Work+ near the university district make the northeast area popular for remote workers. Serviced apartments such as the Tongliao Executive Residences (from 300 CNY per night) offer reliable WiFi and desks. Cafes like Bean & Brew on Minzu Avenue have strong internet and power outlets.
💰 Budget Stays
For backpackers, the area around Tongliao Railway Station has numerous cheap hostels and guesthouses, with private rooms starting at 80 CNY. The Tongliao Youth Hostel (dorm beds from 45 CNY) is a reliable choice. Street food stalls nearby keep meal costs under 20 CNY.
🏨 Luxury Options
The only five-star hotel in Tongliao is the Shangri-La Hotel (from 600 CNY per night) on Horgin Street, offering a spa and fine dining. For a boutique experience, try the Garden Boutique Hotel near the stadium (around 500 CNY). Both provide airport shuttle services.
🚌 Getting Around
Tongliao's bus network covers most neighborhoods with routes 1-12, and fares are 1 CNY per ride. Taxis start at 7 CNY for the first 3 km. For airport transfers, the shuttle bus from Tongliao Airport to the city center costs 15 CNY and runs every 30 minutes.
one spot that gets overlooked is the area around the university, especially near minzu avenue. there's a bunch of cheap noodle shops that stay open late, and the bean & brew mentioned is solid but the real gem is a tiny place called lao zhang's across the street, they do hand-pulled noodles for 12 yuan and the broth is rich. if you're a digital nomad, the wifi there is actually faster than the co-working space, i've worked from there a few afternoons
also for the luxury options, the garden boutique is nice but check if they have rooms facing away from the stadium, events there can get loud on weekends. the shangri-la spa is overpriced but the pool is decent for a quick dip in summer
honestly this is a solid breakdown, i've stayed in a few of these spots. the quiet west district near xilamulun river is my go-to for a chill weekend, the riverside inn is decent but you can also find smaller minsu (homestays) on that side for like 120-150 a night if u book through wechat groups, just ask around at local convenience stores
one thing the guide doesn't mention is that the area around horgin street gets super packed during naadam festival in august, so if u're coming then definitely book the west or south districts ahead of time. also the bus route 3 goes straight from the railway station to the museum area if u wanna save taxi fare
for food near huolin road, skip the big bars and hit the skewer stalls on the side alley behind the kfc, they do lamb skewers for 2 yuan each and it's way better than the tourist traps. the shangri-la is nice but honestly overpriced for what it is, the garden boutique has better breakfast imo
I've stayed in a few of these areas over the years and the south district near the museum is my pick for a family trip. The Tongliao Family Suites are solid but the real find is a small hotel called the Sunshine Inn on Shengli Road, it's about 320 a night for a two-bedroom and they have a little courtyard where kids can run around. The zoo is a 10 minute walk from there, not a 10 minute drive, which makes a big difference with tired little legs.
For the Huolin Road nightlife, the skewer stall tip is good but if you want something a bit different, try the grilled cold noodles at the cart just past the bus stop on the corner. It sounds weird but they char them on a flat iron and brush on spicy sauce, it's like 5 yuan and pairs well with the lamb skewers. I'd also say the digital nomad section is accurate but the co-working space Work+ can get stuffy in summer, the air conditioning struggles when it hits 35 degrees.