Hohhot Culture

Hohhot is home to 41 ethnic groups, including Mongolian, Han, Hui, Manchu, Daur, Ewenki, etc. Due to its relatively diverse cultural constitutions, and despite its characteristics as a mid-sized Chinese industrial city, the Hohhot street scene is full of ethnic minority elements. In recent years, government has emphasized the Hohhot's identity with ethnic minority groups, especially in increasing Mongol-themed architecture around the city. The Tongshun Street (通顺街) and Islamic Street (伊斯兰风情街) are the places you can’t miss to experience the exotic culture while tasting the local food and appreciating Islamic style architectures. Besides, there are ethnic festivals for you to explore more in its prairie culture, such as Inner Mongolia Grassland Tourism Festival, Zhaojun Culture Festival, Inner Mongolia Wulanmuqi Festival (乌兰牧骑艺术节) and the famous Nadam Fair.

Ethnic Groups

Hohhot is home to 41 ethnic groups, Notable among these are Mongolian, Han, Manchu, Hui, Tibetan, Dawoer, Elunchun, Ewenke and Korean. The population of Han nationality is 2498647, accounting for 87.16% of the total; the Mongolian population is 285,969, accounting for 9.98% and the population of other ethnic minorities is 81,999, accounting for 2.86 percent.Tourists can experience diverse ethnic cultures while appreciating the amazing scenery in Hohhot.

Ethnic Counties

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Local Customs

Thanks to its multiple minority habitation, Hohhot provides diverse ethnic customs in many aspects.

  • Ethnic Festivals: Besides some Chinese traditional festivals, Hohhot also hold unique ethnic minority festivals such as Mongolian New Year, Nadam Festival or Nadam Fair, Aobao Festival(敖包会) and Zhaojun Cultural Festival as well as other ethnic culture and art festivals.
  • Ethnic Dance and Song:Every ethnic minority has its own style in dancing and singing, for the Mongolian living on the prairie, their dances and songs are always connected with the pastoral life and the work of herdsmen. The most famous female Mongolian dances are the Jinai dance (milking dance), the Caihong dance (rainbow dance), the Zhongwan dance (bowl dance), the Kuaizi dance (chopsticks dance), and the Andai dance (安代舞). While the famous male dances are the horse and sword dance, the hawk dance, and the roughrider dance.The Hui ethnic dance is of Islamic style. For the Manchurian dance, the most striking features of these dances are the ladies’ gentle poise and ornate attire, which include elaborate headdresses, tassels, handkerchiefs, and unique raised shoes.
  • Ethnic Costumes: Mongolian takes up the most of the total ethnic population, so the Mongolian costume is the most common one seen in Hohhot. Mongolian costumes are gorgeous, beautiful and unique, with a strong grassland style, consisting of a hat, deel, boots and accessories. You should try putting on the costume when you come to Hohhot, you will find yourself in another exotic style.
  • Folk Handicrafts: Wooden carving, silverware and embroideries are the souvenirs tourists most likely to buy. They are exquisitely made in unique style, really a best choice to friends.
  • Food Culture: Mongolian food is divided into the Red Food category such as meats (especially lamb, form most meals) while the dairy produce such as milk, yoghurt and cheese are put into the White Food category. there are too much to try in Hohhot such as roasted whole lamb(烤全羊), Mongolian Hot Pot(涮羊肉), hand-picked Mutton(手扒肉),Youmian (莜面), Shaomai(烧麦) and others waiting for you to explore.

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