Don't go to Hailiang Dazhao Temple! | Hohhot local's firsthand experience with accommodation: A list of pitfalls to avoid for three special groups: those traveling with infants and pets and catching e
In Hohhot, it's common for people with babies under two years old to stay near Hailiang Plaza, where they're often sandwiched between KTVs downstairs and old storefronts without elevators at 3 a.m., and they often have to carry the stroller around.
Many travel guides treat Dazhao Temple, Hailiang Park, and the East Railway Station as universal answers, but locals know that these three areas are precisely the ones that certain groups of people should avoid following the trend. The following areas are generally not mentioned in travel guides, but they are my most cherished choices after living here for five years and traveling back and forth more than twenty times.
1. For families with infants under two years old: In the area of Daxue East Street and Exhibition Hall East Road, chain mid-range hotels are much more reliable than those in the old city business district.
Hotels in the old town are mostly converted from old buildings, with narrow elevators and a lack of accessibility features, making it very inconvenient to bring strollers in and out; the area around Hailiang is noisy at night, making it difficult for children to sleep through the night. Several national chain mid-range hotels are concentrated along Daxue East Street and Exhibition Hall East Road, with newer buildings and wider elevators, allowing strollers to be pushed directly into the rooms.
For making formula or heating baby food in the middle of the night, some suites here come with refrigerators and microwaves, and even standard rooms can be arranged by the front desk to a floor with a microwave in the common area. It's not far from the Inner Mongolia People's Hospital and the Maternal and Child Health Hospital, which is much more reassuring in case of emergencies with a young child than staying near a tourist attraction.
Of the six criteria: cribs require advance booking by phone (not a default feature); refrigerators and microwaves are only consistently provided in mid-range suites or apartments; pets are generally not available without extra charge – don't bring pets if you're traveling with an infant; 24-hour front desk and elevators are standard; wheelchair access is available in the lobby and parking lot. The price is mid-range, and it's quieter than comparable properties in the old town.
Second, another blind spot when traveling with infants: Hotel apartments on Jinqiao Baotou Street, where the ability to heat up meals is more practical than family rooms.
The worst thing about taking care of a young baby isn't having nowhere to play, but having nowhere to heat up baby food, wash bottles, and dry bibs. Newly built hotel apartments and suites near Jinqiao Baotou Street mostly have individual refrigerators and microwaves in their rooms, and some even have worktops—something budget hotels in the old city can't offer.
Of the six criteria: 1) Baby cribs need to be confirmed with the apartment front desk in advance, as some provide portable cribs; 2) Refrigerators and microwaves are standard equipment here, which is a significant advantage over Gulou and Hailiang; 3) Pets are not charged extra, but this depends on the specific landlord, and it is not recommended to try if it overlaps with traveling with an infant; 4) Not all have 24-hour front desks, so choosing a chain apartment brand is safer; 5) Elevators and accessibility are excellent, the road downstairs is wide and the sidewalk is flat, making it easy to push a stroller.
The downside is its distance from tourist attractions like Dazhao Temple and the Inner Mongolia Museum, making it suitable for families traveling by car or simply for rest during their layover. Don't be deterred by the remote location; for children under two, getting a full night's sleep and conveniently warming milk are far more important than visiting tourist attractions.
3. Bringing two or more pets: North Second Ring Road, Genghis Khan Street. Trying your luck in the old city is not as good as walking your pets here.
Hotels in Hohhot's old city area almost universally prohibit pets. Guesthouses near Dazhao Temple and Kuanzhai Alley often require an extra deposit or refuse service even for a single pet, let alone two. Locals often direct their attention to the areas along Genghis Khan Street outside the North Second Ring Road if you bring more than two pets.
There are many commercial and residential apartments and suburban resort hotels here. Some landlords explicitly state that there are no extra charges for pets, but you need to inform them of the number of pets before check-in and promise cages and cleaning. Genghis Khan Park and Beishan Park are just downstairs, providing ample space for walking, relieving yourself, and running around freely, which is much better than being chased and dodged by electric bikes in the old town alleys.
Six indicators: Baby cribs are basically unnecessary for this group; refrigerators and microwaves are common in apartment buildings, making it convenient to heat wet food for pets; not every apartment offers free pet service, so you need to be selective, but the acceptance of multiple pets is significantly higher in the Genghis Khan Street area than in the city center; some apartments do not have 24-hour front desks, so choose those with access control and online customer service; most apartments have elevators, but elevators in older buildings tend to be smaller; accessibility is generally limited, so if you have a large dog, try to choose a first floor or a lower floor.
IV. Multiple Pet Alternatives: Commercial and residential apartments along the Donghe River in the Ruyi Development Zone are pet-friendly but require greater responsibility from owners.
In recent years, many mixed-use apartments have been built along the Donghe River in the Ruyi Development Zone. The green belts downstairs connect to the Donghe River walkway, making it very convenient for dog walking in the early morning and evening. Compared to the North Second Ring Road, this area is closer to the airport and East Railway Station, making it suitable for those traveling by car with pets.
However, apartments in this area vary greatly. Some serviced apartments charge a one-time cleaning fee for pets, while others do not charge any extra fees. If you are traveling with two or more pets, prioritize rooms with independent layouts, allow you to bring your own bedding, and have spacious balconies or hallways to avoid complaints from neighbors due to pet noise.
Six key considerations: Baby cribs are not a concern; refrigerators and microwaves are common in apartments; whether pets are charged extra requires confirmation with the landlord, not just relying on platform labels; 24-hour front desks are rare, with most relying on combination locks; elevators and accessibility features are more common in newer buildings, but waiting times are long on some higher floors. This apartment is not suitable for those who prioritize front desk service, but is better suited for experienced pet owners who are responsible for cleaning.
5. Arriving in Hohhot in the early morning: Don't stay at the East Railway Station; the Ruyi Development Zone Chain Hotel is the best place to sleep in the middle of the night.
Many people stay near the East Railway Station to avoid catching early morning flights, but there are few newly opened hotels near the station. Some hotels with signs in front of the station are overpriced, the rooms smell of smoke, and if you arrive in the early morning, you have to wait a long time to check in, resulting in a very poor experience.
Even more reliable are the chain mid-range hotels in Ruyi Development Zone, near the airport expressway entrance. It's only a ten-minute drive from Baita Airport, and both ride-hailing and taxi services are willing to pick you up after landing in the early morning. The 24-hour front desk can check you in immediately, unlike the small hotels near the airport where you have to call to get someone to open the door.
Six key points: Baby cots can be booked in advance, but there may not be enough supplies late at night; refrigerators and microwaves are only available in some room types; ask the front desk for hot water or food in the middle of the night; the policy of not charging extra for pets generally doesn't apply, so please communicate in advance if you're bringing a pet in the early morning; 24-hour front desk is crucial, definitely choose a chain brand; elevators and accessible facilities are generally complete in newly built hotels. The price is mid-range, and it's more reliable than hotels near the airport.
6. Early morning flights: Staying at a well-established business hotel near Hailar East Street makes it less likely to miss your flight compared to staying at the airport.
Accommodation near Hohhot Airport is polarized: either high-end and expensive, or small hotels that lack punctual wake-up calls and reliable shuttle services. For those taking early morning flights, the best option is the area around Hailar East Street and Runyu Home Furnishings, as the journey to the airport avoids traffic congestion in the main urban area, with a stable travel time of under 20 minutes in the morning.
There are several well-established business hotels in this area with reliable 24-hour front desks. They can help you call a taxi or book a taxi for the early morning, and some even offer packed breakfasts. It feels a bit more human than staying near the airport, and it's convenient to get a band-aid or buy a bottle of water in the middle of the night.
Six key points: Cribs are generally not available; if traveling with an infant and catching an early flight, it's recommended to bring your own foldable bed/cot. Refrigerators and microwaves are not standard amenities, but there are many 24-hour convenience stores nearby. Pets are almost impossible to keep without extra charges. 24-hour front desk and elevators are available, but some older hotels have narrow elevators. Wheelchair access is generally limited; if you have a lot of luggage, you can ask the front desk for assistance. Suitable for those who only need three or four hours of sleep and value wake-up calls and taxi hailing efficiency.
In conclusion
Don't ask what the locals didn't tell you: First, don't be brainwashed by the idea that it's close to the scenic area when bringing a baby. Getting a full night's sleep and taking the elevator are more important than checking off the temple.
Secondly, if you are bringing more than two pets, do not wait until you arrive at the front desk to mention the number. Most hotels in Hohhot will refuse to accept this offer. Make sure to call ahead and confirm that there will be no extra charge for pets.
Third, if you arrive in Hohhot in the early morning, prioritize the Ruyi Development Zone chain hotel over the small guesthouse near the station. Being able to check in at midnight is more worthwhile than being a little cheaper.
Fourth, for early morning flights, staying near Hailar East Street makes it easier to hail a taxi and less likely to miss your flight compared to staying near the airport. Locals often do this when catching an early morning flight.
Fifth, among the five or six indicators, elevators and 24-hour front desks are the minimum requirements; cribs and refrigerators/microwaves need to be confirmed in advance; pet policies must be communicated word for word, and don't believe a casual statement on a platform page that allows pets.