Gegentala Grassland is to the north of Hohhot, within the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. It is the largest and a unique scenic spot bearing the Mongolian ethical features of China. In Mongolian 'Gegentala' means a summer resort or the place of grazing in summer. On the grassland, the weather is cool and the natural scenery is fascinating. With thriving grass and abundant water, the green of the grassland reach out as far as your eyes can see. Colorful wild flowers and flocks of sheep that look like masses of cloud make the scene absolutely beautiful.
Besides the amazing natural scenery, visitors can also taste traditional Mongolian food and take part in local activities. While listening to the melodious toasting songs and appreciating traditional Mongolian dances, visitors have the opportunity to taste kumiss, roasted whole sheep and shouba rou (boiled mutton eaten with hands). In traditional Mongolian clothes, visitors can take part in horse race, wrestling and archery which have been popular on the land for thousands of years. At night, people sit around bonfires singing and dancing to their hearts' content. After one day's travel, the Mongol ger, which means home in Mongolian, provides accommodation for the tourist. All these experiences give visitors the true feeling of what life is like on the vast grassland.
To enrich the tourist experience, modern facilities, such as night clubs and luxurious Mongol gers, have been established. Every July or August when flowers are in full bloom and sheep and horses are in their best condition, a tourism festival called Nadam Fair is held (Nadam Fair means entertainment and amusement in Mongolian. It is a traditional grand meeting and also an annual gala event for the local). This period is also a favorable season for travel.
