Revitalizing Summer Tourism in China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region

Summer is the peak tourist season in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China, where various regions are developing natural resources while protecting them to create new tourism scenes and experiences. Hiking on ancient trails, stargazing in the desert, and camping on the grasslands offer tourists unique experiences that cater to diverse needs. These initiatives aim to inject new vitality into summer consumption and drive the development of the tourism industry.

Key Takeaways:

• Over 600,000 visitors have welcomed the Jiange Ancient Shu Road hiking route since its launch in September 2023, with the goal of building the "Shu Road Cool" brand to integrate hiking with sightseeing at Jianmen Pass and hot spring wellness.
• The Ancient Shu Road, spanning over 150 kilometers, features over 7,700 ancient cypresses with an average age of over a thousand years, creating a cool and refreshing forest environment.
• The county has created four themed hiking routes that seamlessly integrate natural and cultural elements, offering visitors the opportunity to immerse themselves in history and natural scenery.
• The Zhongwei Star Observation Valley in the Tengger Desert has become a popular destination for stargazing, with lasers guides available to identify stars and a unique experience of gazing at the starry sky in the vast desert.
• The city has developed star-studded hotels and tent camps to provide a brand-new experience of stargazing in the desert, with restrictions on motor vehicle access to preserve air clarity and designate stargazing protection zones.
• Ulanqab City in Inner Mongolia has become a popular destination for camping on the grasslands, with over 30 volcanoes and diverse grassland landscapes offering a unique experience.
• The city has introduced a "Zero Waste Grassland Camping Plan" to maximize grassland ecological protection and has guided farmers and herders to promote unique campsites, increasing income channels.
• Camping has become a lucrative industry in Ulanqab City, with over 22.3 million tourists visiting last year, a year-on-year increase of 84%.

Statistics:

• 600,000+ visitors welcomed the Jiange Ancient Shu Road hiking route since its launch in September 2023.
• Over 7,700 ancient cypresses line the Ancient Shu Road, with an average age of over a thousand years.
• 300 clear nights annually in the Shapotou Scenic Area, with an average altitude of 1,430 meters.
• 18.5 million tourists visited Zhongwei City last year, a year-on-year increase of over 20%.
• 11 billion yuan spent by tourists in Zhongwei City last year.
• Over 22.3 million tourists visited Ulanqab City last year, a year-on-year increase of 84%.

Sources:

• https://www.nmg.gov.cn/zwyw/ymjnmg/202508/t20250807_2770607.html