Bayannur

Bayannur (巴彦淖尔; Bāyànnào'ěr, meaning "Rich Lake" in Mongolian) is a prefecture-level city in western Inner Mongolia, located on the northern bank of the Great Bend of the Yellow River. The landscape is defined by the Hetao Plain — the "Gold River" irrigated farmland that makes this region one of China's most important wheat and sunflower producers. To the north lies the vast Ulan Buh Desert, part of the Gobi. The Ulan Buh Desert is the only desert in China that is being actively reclaimed through irrigation — a remarkable story of human ingenuity. Bayannur has a large Mongol population and several beautiful Buddhist monasteries. The climate is temperate continental with cold, dry winters and warm summers. Spring and autumn are the best times to visit.

By Plane

Bayannur Tianjitai Airport (RLK IATA) has flights from Beijing, Hohhot, Xi'an, and Lanzhou. From the airport, a taxi to Linhe (the main city district) costs about ¥50.

By Train

Bayannur Railway Station is on the Baotou–Lanzhou railway line, with trains to Hohhot (3 hours), Baotou (2 hours), Lanzhou (5 hours), and Beijing (8 hours).

By Car / Road

Bayannur is on the G6 Beijing–Lhasa Expressway, about 2 hours west of Baotou and 1.5 hours east of Wuhai. National Highway G110 also runs through the city.

Linhe city centre is walkable. Local buses and taxis (starting at ¥5) serve the city. For the desert and monastery, a taxi or private car is needed.

• Ulan Buh Desert (Ulan Buh Shamo): A 10,000 km² desert being irrigated by water from the Yellow River — a dramatic landscape of parallel canals and dune reclamation. The desert edge is about 30 km north of Linhe.

• Naling Monastery: A beautiful Tibetan Buddhist (Gelugpa) monastery about 60 km north of Linhe, with ornate prayer halls and a golden pagoda. Free.

• Yellow River Hetao Plain: The irrigated farmland around Bayannur — endless fields of sunflowers (July–August), wheat, and corn.

• Bayannur Museum: Exhibits on the geology, history, and culture of the Hetao region, including dinosaur fossils. Free.

• Lakers Lakeside Park: A pleasant park along the Yellow River floodplain.

• Desert exploration in Ulan Buh: 4WD tours, sand-sledding, and photography in the dunes.

• Sunflower photography: The Hetao Plain produces half of China's sunflower seeds — the fields in full bloom are spectacular (late July–August).

• Birdwatching at the Yellow River wetlands: The river floodplain attracts cranes, herons, and storks.

• Visit a Mongolian ger camp: Stay in a traditional felt yurt on the grasslands north of the city.

• Hetao wheat hand-pulled noodles: Made from the region's famous wheat, served with lamb or beef.
• Sunflower seed sprouts: A unique local vegetable.
• Yellow River fish: Braised or steamed.
• Mongolian hotpot: Lamb and vegetables.
• Milk tea and roasted millet: The traditional Mongolian breakfast.

Hetao local baijiu is known throughout Inner Mongolia. Mongolian milk tea is the daily staple. Bottled water is recommended.

• Budget: Bayannur Tianjiao Hotel — basic, ¥80–150/night.
• Mid-range: Bayannur Linhe Hotel — comfortable in the city centre, ¥200–350/night.
• Upscale: Bayannur Lanhu Hotel — the best in town, ¥300–500/night.

Bayannur is famous for its sunflower seeds, Hetao wheat, and Hetao wine (a local brand of baijiu). Mongolian silver jewellery and cashmere products are also available.

• Baotou (200 km east, 2 hr by train): Wudangzhao Monastery, industrial mining museum.
• Wuhai (100 km west, 1 hr by car): City on the Yellow River.
• Hohhot (400 km east, 4 hr by train): Capital of Inner Mongolia.
• Yinchuan (350 km southwest, 4.5 hr by car through the desert): Capital of Ningxia.