Chifeng Travel Guide

Chifeng is a prefecture level city in Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region. It is one of the largest cities in the vast Inner Mongolian area. It is situated in the southeastern corner Inner Mongolia. It is about 400km northeast of Beijing, the Chinese capital. It borders Xilin Gol League to the north and west, Tongliao city to the northeast, Chaoyang prefecture of Liaoning and Chengde prefecture of Hebei are to its south. In mandarin Chinese, the word Chifeng means the Red Mountain; and it was also known as Ulanhad by Mongolians in old days. Chifeng is situated at the intersection of northeast and north China economic zones, which is an important part of Bohai Sea Economic Belt. In addition, it is famous for the culture of Red Mountain and regarded as "back garden of Beijing". Being the most populous city in the Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region, Chifeng is the home of 4.6 million, 19.3% of which are Mongolian ethnicity and 73% are Han. It is a city with long history. Early settlements of human dates back to 10000 years ago. It is some to many archeological sites. This was the place where image of dragon, which played an important role in Chinese history and culture, first appeared. The famous Red Mountain culture originated here 5,000 years ago and the First Jade of Dragon, which is the landmark of Red Mountain culture, was also excavated here in Chifeng. 

● What to do & where to go

Chifeng is a region with long history and many historical sites. It is considered one of the birthplaces of early Chinese civilization. 

Among all its treasures, the Hongshan culture is the most famous. Hongshan culture can date back to five or six thousands years ago. It is an agricultural civilization created by a tribe whose members lived in the north of Yanshan Mountain. It was named after the outskirts of Hongshan sites in Chifeng. Hongshan culture originated from west Liaohe river valley and it is an advanced civilization. During its development, Hongshan culture communicated and exchanged with Yangshao culture and ultimately formed a polynary culture which was full of vitality and creativity. The handicraft industry had reached a higher stage. 

Chifeng is a place with rich Mongolian culture and traditions. There are plenty of themed festivals take place at different sites of Chifeng at certain time of a year. Among Mongolians, the most important festival is the Naadam pageant---the most favorite Mongolian sports and amusement activity. During this festival, Mongolians unleashed their nomadic nature by participating in Mongolian-style wrestling (now referred to as "Bork"), horse racing and archery. Many of these events had its rooting in ancient times when their Mongolian ancestors lived a life on the back of horse. 

● What to eat

As for food, Chifeng’s culinary culture is dominated by Mongolian style. Meat plays an important role on Mongol dinner table. Mutton and beef are most common. Roasted lamp is a treat to visitors. Noodles are also staples for the people of Alxa, especially the la mian (pulled noodle).

● Access

Chifeng is a major transportation hub which connects east and west of Inner Mongolia. This region is linked with high level national highways and express ways. For railway transportation, Chifeng is on the branch line of Jing (Beijing)-Ha (Harbin) high speed railway network. Chifeng Yulong Airport (CIF) is 15km away from downtown Chifeng. It connects this city with 26 domestic destinations. Main operators at this airport are Huaxia Airline, Air China, China Southern, Tianjin Air and Juneyao Air. 

● Climate

Being a northern city, Chifeng is featured with typical north style weather pattern. Chifeng is in a semi-arid continental monsoon climate zone. Winter is long and cold. Spring is dry and windy. Summer is hot with more rain. Fall is short and frost comes early. In most areas, the annual average temperature is around 0 ~ 7℃. In the coldest month (January), the mean temperature is about -10℃ and the extreme minimum temperature is -27℃. In the hottest month (July), the average temperature is between 20 ~ 24℃.