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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 bowlβ¦ π 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.
π₯ 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.
π’ 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.
π 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.
π₯ 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.
π 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.
π° 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.
π΅ 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.
3 Days in Tongliao: Itinerary 2026
Start your trip in the city center, focusing on Tongliao's main attractions. This day covers the Horqin Museum and the nearby People's Park, all within walking distance of each oβ¦ πΊοΈ Day 1 Overview
Start your trip in the city center, focusing on Tongliao's main attractions. This day covers the Horqin Museum and the nearby People's Park, all within walking distance of each other. Plan for a relaxed pace to adjust to the local rhythm.
ποΈ Morning: Horqin Museum
Begin at the Horqin Museum (Horqin Street, open 9:00-17:00, closed Mondays). Admission is free with a valid ID. Spend about two hours exploring exhibits on Mongolian culture and the region's history. The museum is a 10-minute walk from most downtown hotels.
π³ Lunch and Afternoon Stroll
Walk 15 minutes south to People's Park (Xinhua Road) for a peaceful lunch break. Try the nearby restaurant Mengxiangyuan for local Mongolian hotpot, with mains around 50-80 CNY. Afterward, stroll through the park's gardens and lake, then visit the small zoo (free entry).
π Evening: Night Market
Head to Tongliao Night Market on Huolinhe Street, open from 18:00 to 23:00. Sample grilled lamb skewers (5 CNY each) and dairy snacks like Mongolian milk tea. The market is a 20-minute walk or 10-minute taxi ride (10 CNY) from the city center.
ποΈ Day 2: Suburban Nature
Dedicate the second day to the grasslands and wetlands outside the city. Take a bus or hire a taxi for the 40-minute drive to Horqin Grassland. This day requires early rising to maximize daylight.
π Morning: Horqin Grassland
Arrive at Horqin Grassland by 9:00. Join a guided horseback riding tour (100-150 CNY per hour) or hike the marked trails. The vast prairie offers photo opportunities and a chance to see traditional Mongolian yurts. Bring sunscreen and water.
πΆ Afternoon: Daginggou National Park
From the grassland, drive 30 minutes to Daginggou National Park (entry 60 CNY). Explore the wetland boardwalks and bird-watching towers. The park is open until 18:00, so plan to leave by 16:00 to return to the city.
π Evening: Local Dinner
Back in Tongliao by 18:30, dine at Aobao Restaurant (Mingren Street) for authentic Mongolian barbecue. A full meal costs around 80-120 CNY per person. Reserve a table in advance as it gets busy.
ποΈ Day 3: Culture and Shopping
The final day focuses on cultural sites and souvenir shopping. Stay within the city to avoid travel stress. Visit the Tongliao Mosque and the bustling commercial street, both easily reached on foot.
π Morning: Tongliao Mosque
Start at the Tongliao Mosque (Heping Road, open 8:00-12:00 and 14:00-17:00). This historic mosque blends Islamic and Mongolian architecture. Entry is free, but dress modestly. Spend about an hour here before heading to the shopping district.
ποΈ Afternoon: Shopping Street
Walk 10 minutes to Zhelimu Street, the main shopping area. Browse for Mongolian cashmere scarves (100-300 CNY) and local dairy products. Stop for lunch at a noodle shop like Laobian Dumpling House, where a bowl of hand-pulled noodles costs 20 CNY.
π Getting Around Tips
Tongliao's city center is compact and walkable. For longer trips, use the bus system (2 CNY per ride) or hail a taxi (starting fare 7 CNY). Download a translation app for bus routes, as English signs are limited. Plan for 10-15 minute waits between buses.
the guide is solid, i'd just say for day 3 the mosque is worth it but check if its prayer time before you go, they sometimes close the main hall to visitors for 30 minutes around noon. also on Zhelimu Street the cashmere scarves are fine but the ones at the department store on the corner of Heping and Mingren are actually cheaper and have better stitching, i got one there for 80 yuan last year and its held up way better than the market ones
honestly this is a solid itinerary, i live here and youve covered the main spots well. one thing i'd add is that the Horqin Museum can get crowded by 10:30 on weekends, so going right at 9 is smart. also for Day 2, the bus to the grassland leaves from the east bus station on Huolinhe Street and costs about 15 yuan, but it only runs every hour so check the schedule at the station the day before.
for the night market, i prefer the grilled lamb skewers from the stall at the south end near the intersection with Mingren Street, they use a spicier rub that most places skip. also if you have time on Day 3, theres a small market on Heping Road just north of the mosque that sells handmade Mongolian boots for 200-400 yuan, way better quality than the tourist stuff on Zhelimu Street.
Good plan overall. One thing about Daginggou, the wetland boardwalks are fine but the real highlight is the wooden observation tower at the far end of the main trail. It takes about 25 minutes to walk there from the entrance and the view over the reed beds at sunset is worth the extra time. Also on Day 1, if the museum is too crowded, the small folklore gallery on the second floor of the city library on Heping Road has a great collection of traditional Mongolian saddles and rarely has more than a few people in it.