Inner Mongolia has the lure of open grassy plains, herds of horses and sheep roaming freely while nomadic herdsmen watch over their flock, and a stretch of blue sky that eventually touches the green plains far off in the horizon.

Hohhot, the capital of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, may not immediately stir images of a rough and ready frontier, but what this cosmopolitan city does offer is a gateway to the majesty of the grasslands which lie just beyond the city. The sights within the city shouldn't be dismissed either. Once a political and cultural center, the relics of the past are strewn throughout More than 36 ethnic groups live in Hohhot's confines, with Mongolians making up about 9% of the population.

Bone fragments of early humans who lived in the area as early as 500,000 years ago have been found; these early ancestors are thought to be contemporaries of Peking Man. The first permanent establishment began about 2,300 years ago during the Warring States Period when the King of Zhao built the city– Yunzhong in the area. The merger of a 16^th century Mongolian settlement and a city founded by Ming emperor Wanli has become present day Hohhot.

Memorable Experiences
Riding on a galloping horse as he decides to ignore my instructions and takes off on his on volition, leaving me to sit on the saddle and hope he knows where he's going.

Spending a night ina yurtwhile eating and drinking with a voluble Mongolian family.