The train ride to Hohhot was decent, the only thing is I was on a train with no AC. Luckily I'm the type that doze off easily, so it not too bad for me.
Hohhot - just like any other developing city in China is, of course, less organized. But food & hotel rooms is cheap. Tourist attractions are well managed. The most impressive part was the Inner Mongolia Capital Museum. (In my opinion), they are even better than the Capital Museum in Beijing. Starting from the building architecture to the organization of props and language translation, they are the best so far! They even have the 'junior tour-guiding' program (the little gal, with the Emperor's outfit background). My jaw almost drop when I listen to her. The management is doing an amazing work out there!
Naadam - This is a Mongolian traditional festival. It's also the reason of my trip. This festival is termed as "the three games of men". The games are Mongolian wrestling, horse racing & archery. In order to watch these tournaments, I travelled slightly over 2 hours out of Hohhot city into the one of the many grassland in Inner Mongolia called 哥根塔拉 - Gegentala. I was getting all ready to roll on the green green grassland & to ride on the Mongolian horses. When I finally arrived, the grass is no longer than 5 inches, it looks more like a dust land to me. The most disappointing part of all is that the festival is not what I imagined it to be. It has been commercialized. Lonely Planet is definitely right about this - if you're after a more authentic experience of grassland - go to Mongolia! Thanks to the good company of my friend this trip turns out to be a lot more pleasant.
Lesson learned: Hohhot - Inner Mongolia Capital Museum - Straight to Mongolia!
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