At Ulan Hada, black volcanic rock rises from open grassland, and the craters give the day a striking change of scene from Huitengxile’s high meadow. This private trip links two very different parts of Inner Mongolia in one long day, with hotel pickup from central Hohhot and a guide to accompany you at the sights.
I like two things in particular: the contrast between the volcanic terrain and the alpine grassland, and the convenience of a private car with pickup and drop-off within the city’s Second Ring Road. The private route also includes horse riding and grass sliding, so the day is not just a series of photo stops.
The main consideration is the pace. You leave around 8:00 AM and usually return around 6:00 PM, with two hours at Huitengxile and about two and a half at Ulan Hada. The published service-duration notes differ, and the grassland’s Huanghuagou Scenic Area is not included, so confirm your chosen package and timing before you pay.
- What to Know Before You Go
- A Day Between Meadow and Volcano
- Huitengxile’s High Grassland
- Ulan Hada’s Craters and Dark Basalt
- Private Car, Pickup, and the Day’s Pace
- What the Price Buys
- Seasons, Clothing, and Who Will Enjoy It
- Should You Book This Hohhot Day Trip?
- FAQ
- Is hotel pickup included?
- What time does the tour leave and return?
- Are horse riding and grass sliding included?
- Is Huanghuagou admission included?
- What language is the private tour in?
- Are meals included?
- What should I bring?
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What to Know Before You Go
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7 / 7- Two distinct stops in one day: Huitengxile offers high meadow scenery, while Ulan Hada is known for volcanic craters and dark basalt.
- Private pickup within Hohhot’s Second Ring Road: Huimin, Xincheng, Yuquan, and Saihan districts are covered without a trip to a meeting point.
- Horse riding and grass sliding are included on the private route: These activities are described as part of the Huitengxile visit.
- Huanghuagou costs extra: The scenic area is a private ranch, and its admission ticket is not included.
- The tour is available in several language packages: Chinese, English, and Japanese or Korean options have different starting prices.
- Plan for changing weather: One visitor who went in the wrong season found the grassland less attractive and advised bringing a winter coat in cold weather.
👉 See our pick of the 9 Best Tours In Hohhot
A Day Between Meadow and Volcano
This is a full-day outing from Hohhot, not a quick excursion around the city. The standard start is about 8:00 AM, with a return near 6:00 PM. The exact order can depend on the package: the private tour goes first to Huitengxile and then to Ulan Hada, while group options focus on Ulan Hada and vary in what they include.
That distinction matters when you book. The experience described here is the private route, which includes both Huitengxile and Ulan Hada, plus horse riding and grass sliding. Some group packages go only to Ulan Hada, with options such as admission, horse riding, astronaut suit rental, or a direct shuttle. Check the exact route and inclusions attached to your chosen option rather than relying on the tour name alone.
A Chinese-speaking guide and driver are specified for the Chinese private tour, with two service staff and a guide accompanying you into the scenic areas. English and Japanese or Korean private packages are also offered, at different starting prices. No individual guide is named in the tour details, so you should not expect to request a particular person.
You can also read our reviews of more guided tours in Hohhot
Huitengxile’s High Grassland
The first stop on the private route is Huitengxile Grassland, at an elevation of about 2,100 meters. It is described as an alpine meadow, with an average summer temperature around 18°C. That cooler air can be welcome after Hohhot, but it also makes layers sensible, especially outside summer.
You have around two hours here. The visit is meant to give you time for the meadow scenery and the included activities rather than a long, unhurried walk across the region. Wooden boardwalks are mentioned as a way to stroll through the area, while the broader setting includes wildflowers in summer, streams, scattered springs, and wind turbines.
On the private itinerary, horse riding and grass sliding are included. The riding is accompanied by professional horsemen, and the described experience ranges from walking to trotting. That makes it suitable for a broad range of ages, though the details do not specify riding duration or age and weight limits. If you have a particular concern, ask the operator before booking.
Grass sliding adds a short, playful change of pace: you ride a cart down a grassy slope. It is not a substitute for exploring the meadow, but it gives families and anyone who prefers an activity to a long stroll something concrete to do. The tour does not state how many rides are included, so confirm that if it matters to you.
One important extra is Huanghuagou Scenic Area. It is a private ranch, and admission is not included in the tour price. The description does not say that the standard two-hour stop includes entry there, so treat it as an optional paid visit rather than an assumed part of the day. Ask about the time available if you plan to add it.
Ulan Hada’s Craters and Dark Basalt
After the grassland, the private route continues to Ulan Hada Volcanic Geological Park for about two and a half hours. The park’s appeal is the stark contrast between black basalt and surrounding grass. Its volcanic forms have a raw, unusual look, and the route includes time to walk toward the craters and take in the terrain.
The park is presented as a natural volcano museum and a dormant volcanic cluster. You do not need a deep interest in geology to appreciate the visual difference between the dark rock and open green ground, though a guide’s explanation can help give the formations context. The tour includes a Chinese-speaking guide for the Chinese package; language service varies with the package you select.
A visitor who went in September described the craters as almost otherworldly, and found that the guide’s short explanations added interest without turning the walk into a lecture. That is a useful way to think about the stop: the geology is the main event, but a little explanation can help you notice more than the scenery. The tour details do not specify walking distance, trail conditions, or how close you get to each crater, so do not assume a strenuous hike or a specific route.
Astronaut suit rental is available in some group packages, not listed as a standard inclusion on the private route. It can make for an amusing photo among the volcanic rocks, but you should confirm availability and price if you want one. A winter visitor found the suits fun, but also wished they had brought a warmer coat. The costume is optional; warm clothing is more useful.
Private Car, Pickup, and the Day’s Pace
Pickup and drop-off are free within Hohhot’s Second Ring Road, covering Huimin, Xincheng, Yuquan, and Saihan districts. You provide your hotel name and address when booking, and the operator confirms the pickup time in advance. If you stay outside the covered area, an extra charge may apply, with the amount confirmed after the order.
The private car is a practical advantage here because the day links two scenic areas beyond the city. Vehicle size is assigned by party size: a five-seat car for one to three people, a seven-seat car for four to five, a nine-seat car for six to seven, a 14-seat vehicle for eight to 12, and an 18-seat vehicle for 13 to 16. Larger bags count as two pieces, so mention substantial luggage when arranging the trip.
The day is described in two slightly different ways: the usual schedule runs from about 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, while one note says the service lasts around nine hours and another says around ten. Traffic, weather, and the pace of the visits can shift the return time. Ask the operator to clarify the expected service duration and any overtime fee before departure.
A private tour lets you discuss a departure time and touring pace with customer service after booking. That flexibility is useful, particularly on holidays, when an earlier start is recommended to avoid peak crowds. Still, this is a long day with fixed travel between two areas, so a private vehicle does not mean unlimited time at each stop.
What the Price Buys
The displayed starting price is $104.45, while the package prices shown begin at $90.85 for a Chinese private tour, $116.05 for an English private tour, and $119.89 for a Japanese or Korean private tour. These are starting prices, and the amount depends on the package you choose. Check the final price and inclusions for your party before booking.
For the private route, the value lies in combining private transport, hotel pickup, a guide, Ulan Hada admission, and the Huitengxile horse riding and grass sliding. You avoid arranging transport between the sights yourself and can travel with your own party. For a small group, that convenience may be worth more than choosing the lowest-cost shuttle option.
Meals and drinks are not included, nor are personal expenses, tips, or Huanghuagou admission. The provided details do not specify a meal stop, so plan ahead rather than assuming lunch is part of the service. A direct shuttle or group package may cost less, but it can have a different route or omit admission and activities. Compare the precise inclusions, not just the headline fare.
You can also read our reviews of more private tours in Hohhot
Seasons, Clothing, and Who Will Enjoy It
The two stops do not depend on the same conditions. Ulan Hada’s volcanic forms can remain visually compelling outside the grassland’s best season, while Huitengxile is described at its most colorful in summer, when wildflowers bloom. A November visitor found the grassland less attractive out of season but still thought the volcano was worthwhile. That is a fair reason to choose your dates carefully if meadow scenery is a priority.
Bring a valid passport or other accepted ID; the tour information asks for a passport with six months of validity. Dress for the conditions rather than the city forecast. The advice to take a winter coat is especially relevant in colder months, and the high elevation of the grassland makes an extra layer sensible even when you expect mild summer weather.
This trip suits you if you want to see both a geological site and a grassland in one day, prefer a car arranged for your party, and like the idea of adding light outdoor activities. It is less suited to anyone hoping to spend a whole day walking slowly in one place. Two hours at the meadow and two and a half at the park provide a useful introduction, not a full exploration of either region.
Should You Book This Hohhot Day Trip?
Book it if the appeal is the contrast: volcanic craters at Ulan Hada, then the cooler open meadows of Huitengxile, with transport handled from Hohhot. The private option is especially worth considering for a small group that values door-to-door pickup and wants horse riding and grass sliding included.
Pause before booking if you expect a long visit to Huanghuagou, need exact timing, or are choosing a group package based on the assumption that it covers both sights. Confirm the language, route, extras, service duration, and any pickup fee for an address outside the Second Ring Road. With those details settled, this is a convenient way to see two very different sides of the region in one busy day.
Inner Mongolia Hohhot Private Guided 1-Day Tour (Ulan Hada Volcanic Geological Park + Huitengxile Grassland)
“Promo code: RAINKLOOK It was a lot of fun. It's a pity I came in the wrong season so it wasn't very pretty. But any season is good for the volcano….”
FAQ
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes. Free pickup and drop-off are provided within Hohhot’s Second Ring Road, including Huimin, Xincheng, Yuquan, and Saihan districts. An extra charge may apply outside that area.
What time does the tour leave and return?
The standard departure is around 8:00 AM, and the return is usually around 6:00 PM. The actual schedule can change with traffic, weather, and touring progress.
Are horse riding and grass sliding included?
They are included on the private route described here. The information does not specify the number or duration of rides, so check those details with the operator if they are important to you.
Is Huanghuagou admission included?
No. Huanghuagou is a private ranch, and its admission ticket is not included.
What language is the private tour in?
Chinese, English, and Japanese or Korean private tour options are offered. The listed starting prices differ by language, so choose the package that matches your needs.
Are meals included?
No. Meals and beverages are not included, so plan to cover them separately.
What should I bring?
Bring a valid ID or passport. A warm coat is recommended in cold weather, and larger bags are counted as two pieces when considering vehicle and luggage arrangements.
