Inner Mongolia has been on my bucket list for quite some time and I finally had the opportunity to go. We joined with a tour group through Travelers Society which turned out wonderfully as our guides took care of all the details.
We spent a fun day and spent the night in the sandy desert near Baotou city. Kids loved running up and down the large sand dunes. We had BBQ, beer, and a bonfire then slept in our tents for the night. It was a fantastic experience. One thing of particular interest was how the wind would occasionally stir up and blow the sand which felt like a sand blaster. Also the sand was so fine and got everywhere; I mean everywhere!
The next part of our journey was to a sheep farm up in the planes which was devoid of trees and only grassland from horizon to horizon. This part of Mongolia is outstandingly beautiful and harsh. On the farm are a few yurts for tourist to spend time and enjoy. We enjoyed traditional meals and our hosts put on a really cool show in the evening that included Mongolian throat singing.
The next day we had an early breakfast and walked around the farm, sheered sheep, and just relaxed before heading to the city of Hohhot, the capital of Inner Mongolia for lunch and to the airport.
Camping in the Sand Dunes
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30-minute cable-car ride into the sandy desert near Baotou city.
Camel rides into the desert is a popular way to get to your camp site.
This camel was particularly ornery. He was kicking an biting other camels.
Boy atop a sand dune braving the wind and gazing across the wide expanse of his life.
Nothing like BBQ and beer to round out a day in the desert.
Tent camping in the desert was super cool.
Everyone enjoyed playing on the dunes.
Dune buggy rides back to the tour bus
Up in the High Plains of Inner Mongolia
Upon our arrival we were greeted with Baijiu (52% white alcohol) drinks. Nice!
My dream of living in a yurt finally realized!
We made our dumplings for dinner
Buuz are traditional Mongolian steamed dumplings filled with minced mutton, flavoured with onion, garlic and salted.
Big sky on the Asian Steppe nearly featureless from horizon to horizon.
Sheep are sacrificed at this alter to bring good luck. Then they get cooked and eaten.
For our entertainment one of the farm hands demonstrats how to shear a sheep.
Our host waking out to look for his flock of sheep.
Life on the sheep farm
wood fired hot water heater looked pretty cool to me.
Sunrise was especially beautiful looking across the grassland
Breakfast of boiled eggs, fried bread, yak butter, and other good eats.
Local girl selling zongzi for the dragon boat festival. Zongzi is sticky rice with either meat or sweet paste inside then steamed in a bamboo leaf. Really tasty.
Lady selling sweet rice cakes. They are sticky rices with sweet past in the middle and coated with syrup.
