Hohhot Huitengxile Grassland & Ulan Hada Volcano Day Tour

Ulan Hada’s dark volcanic cones make an arresting contrast with Huitengxile’s open grassland, and fitting both into one day gives you two very different sides of Inner Mongolia. You’ll spend the morning among the grass and springs, then head to the volcano area for a change of pace and scenery.

I like two things in particular: the small-group feel, which can make a long drive more comfortable, and the choice to add horse riding, off-road driving or grass sliding rather than being locked into one activity. The trip has also been described as relaxed, with time to explore without pressure and no compulsory shopping stops.

The main consideration is distance. The round journey to the volcano area is reported to exceed 500 kilometres, so expect a substantial amount of time in the vehicle. The trade-off is access to two places that would be hard to combine independently in a single day.

At a glance

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• Two very different stops: Huitengxile Grassland in the morning, followed by the volcanic cones of Ulan Hada.
• Ninety-Nine Springs: The springs are dotted through the grassland and give you a natural point of interest beyond the wide-open views.
• Optional grassland activities: Horse riding, off-road vehicle rides and grass sliding are available as add-ons, with a combo package covering all three.
• A long drive: The reported journey to the volcanoes and back is more than 500 kilometres, so this is a full day out.
• Room to explore: The pace has been described as unhurried, with freedom to look around rather than being pushed from stop to stop.
• Small-group transport: One group had seven people in a minibus. That gives you a sense of the format, though it does not establish a fixed group size.

👉 See our pick of the 9 Best Tours In Hohhot

From Hohhot to open grassland

The day starts with a pickup in Hohhot. A minibus and hotel pickup have been described, and one driver had no trouble finding both a pickup and a drop-off location arranged by a passenger. That practical attention matters on a trip with so much ground to cover: a smooth start helps you settle in before the long drive.

The driver also serves as a guide for the day. Brother Xu is one named example, praised for being punctual, attentive and clear about what to expect. He took special care of an 80-year-old passenger, a useful sign that a considerate driver can make a real difference when the day involves several stops and a lot of time on the road. That does not guarantee you will have the same driver, but it gives you a helpful sense of the service people have experienced.

The group can be small. One minibus carried seven people, including two visitors who joined five other participants. A group of that size can feel sociable without turning every stop into a crowd-management exercise. It also makes it easier to ask the driver questions or agree on simple timing details.

Huitengxile and the Ninety-Nine Springs

The grassland is the first major stop, and the setting is the point: open space, a cool breeze and springs scattered among the grass. The Ninety-Nine Springs add detail to a broad view, giving you something to notice as you walk or pause between activities. In early April, the grass was not yet lush, but the area still offered a distinct experience. If you are picturing a sea of bright summer green, season matters.

Time here can be as simple as looking around and taking in the scale of the place. If you want a more active visit, the available options include horse riding, off-road vehicle rides and grass sliding. A combo package that includes all three was considered good value by one visitor. These activities are optional, so you can choose the level of action that suits you rather than treating them as the whole reason for the stop.

There is a commercial, staged side to grassland activities, and it is worth setting expectations. One visitor found the activities a bit cheesy, even while rating the scenery highly. That is a fair distinction: the views can feel open and memorable, while some paid activities may feel more like holiday attractions than a quiet encounter with local life. If authenticity is your priority, you may prefer to spend more time looking across the grassland and less time on the add-ons.

Off-peak timing may help with the cost of activities. A visitor travelling outside peak season was able to negotiate a lower horse-riding rate. Treat that as a possibility, not a fixed policy, and ask about activity prices before committing. The tour price itself is not provided here, so you’ll need to compare the current booking cost with the transport, two main stops and any add-ons you plan to take.

The long road to Ulan Hada

The volcano stop brings a sharp change in scenery, but the distance is central to the experience. The drive to the volcanoes and back is reported to be more than 500 kilometres. That is a considerable day on the road, even with a steady driver and a carefully paced schedule, so this tour is best for you if seeing both places matters more than minimizing travel time.

The payoff is a volcanic area that visitors describe as impressive and interesting to explore. One account gave the volcano area about two and a half hours. That offers a useful guide, though exact time at each stop may vary. It is enough to see more than one cone, but you should not expect a slow, multi-day exploration of the region.

Specific stops have included checking in at Volcano No. 4, driving around Volcano No. 6 and looking for agate stones near Volcano No. 8. Those details make the visit feel more concrete than a quick roadside photo stop. Still, do not assume every group will follow the exact same route or find stones. The useful takeaway is that the volcano area has several points of interest, and the tour can include time to move between them.

Photos are part of the appeal here. Astronaut-suit photos have been taken at the volcanoes, adding a playful, slightly theatrical touch to the stark volcanic setting. If that sounds fun, it can make for an unusual souvenir. If you prefer quiet scenery, you can focus on the cones themselves and enjoy the contrast between the open grassland of the morning and the dark volcanic forms later in the day.

A flexible pace, with practical limits

The strongest practical advantage is the combination of planned transport and a pace that has been described as smooth rather than packed. You are not trying to coordinate separate rides between Hohhot, the grassland and a distant volcanic area. The driver handles the route, while you can use the stops to explore at your own speed.

That flexibility is especially useful for a mixed group. One passenger travelled with an 80-year-old mother, and the driver adapted with attentive care. This suggests the experience can work for people who need a little extra consideration, though the long drive and outdoor stops still deserve thought. The available details do not specify walking distances or accessibility features, so ask before booking if mobility is a concern.

A further plus is the absence of compulsory shopping stops in the described experience. That leaves more of the day for the places you came to see. It is a welcome quality on a long excursion, but it should not be treated as a contractual guarantee unless the booking terms confirm it.

Is the price worth it?

No fixed price is provided, so value depends on the rate you find and what you choose to add. The case for paying for the tour is strongest if you want both Huitengxile and Ulan Hada in one day and value having a driver take care of the long transfers. A private or self-arranged trip could offer more control, but it would also mean organizing a demanding route yourself.

Think of the grassland activities as a separate value decision. If you plan to ride a horse, take an off-road vehicle and try grass sliding, a combo package may make sense. If you mainly want scenery, the base experience may be enough. Ask what is included and what costs extra, especially since activity rates may vary by season.

The tour has been described as good value, but the long drive is part of the calculation. You are paying in time as well as money. If you are happy to spend much of a day travelling to reach two distinct destinations, the combination can be worthwhile. If you want an easy day with little time in a vehicle, this is probably not the right fit.

Who should take this day trip?

I’d consider this trip if you have a limited stay in Hohhot and want a broad introduction to two very different settings. It suits people who enjoy scenic drives, open views and unusual geological sights, and who like having optional activities rather than a fixed schedule of paid experiences.

It can also work for a small group or a family group if everyone is comfortable with a long day. A careful driver can make the trip easier, but no amount of good driving changes the distance. Bring patience for the road and keep your expectations realistic about how much time you will have at each stop.

If you prefer slow travel, want to spend hours walking one area, or dislike organized activities at scenic stops, consider focusing on one destination instead. The grassland and volcanoes are rewarding for different reasons, but combining them means accepting a fast-moving day at a regional scale.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if the chance to see Huitengxile’s springs and Ulan Hada’s volcanic cones in one outing outweighs the long drive for you. The small-group format, helpful driver service and optional grassland activities add flexibility, while the volcano stop gives the day a striking second act.

Skip it if a 500-plus-kilometre round trip sounds tiring or if you want a quiet, unhurried visit to just one place. Before booking, check which activities are included, what the optional experiences cost and how much time is planned for the volcano area. That simple check will help you decide if the day matches your pace and budget.

FAQ

How long is the drive to the volcanoes and back?

The round journey to the volcano area and back is reported to be more than 500 kilometres, so expect a long day on the road.

How much time is spent at the volcano area?

A visit of about two and a half hours has been described. The exact time may vary.

What can I see at Huitengxile Grassland?

The grassland includes the Ninety-Nine Springs, dotted among the grass, as well as broad open views.

What activities are available at the grassland?

Horse riding, off-road vehicle rides and grass sliding are available. A combo package covering all three has been offered.

Which volcanoes may be included in the visit?

Stops have included Volcano No. 4, a drive around Volcano No. 6 and a visit near Volcano No. 8.

Can I take astronaut-suit photos at Ulan Hada?

Astronaut-suit photos have been part of the experience, creating a playful option for pictures at the volcanoes.

Is hotel pickup available?

A minibus pickup from a hotel has been described. Pickup and drop-off arrangements may depend on the trip you book.

How large is the group?

One group had seven people in a minibus. The exact group size is not specified as fixed.

Who is Brother Xu?

Brother Xu is a named driver-guide who has been described as punctual, attentive and helpful, including with an older passenger. You may have a different driver.

Are there compulsory shopping stops?

A trip has been completed without forced shopping or compulsory buying stops. Check the terms for your specific booking if this is important to you.