Finding an Authentic Mongolian Yurt Homestay near Xilinhot

Question

Just got back from an amazing visit to middle-of-nowhere Inner Mongolia where me and two friends stayed with a local family in their yurt. Nothing but sheep and horses for miles, beautiful air, and kind hosts. It was really difficult to find info online and set this up, though, so I thought I'd write about it here in case anyone else wants to find an experience like this.

Most "yurt stays" in Inner Mongolia operate out of Hohhot and are heavily commercialized, full of Chinese tourists and completely inauthentic. The one tour company I found wanted $500pp for one night which was ridiculous given how cheap the area is. After a lot of searching, I was able to get the contact info of an Inner Mongolian young woman who speaks good English and was able to arrange for us to stay with her family. All communication was over WeChat (the messaging app everyone uses in China--if you don't have it, download it now for any time in China).

The price per night was 200 rmb and included all food. You will be responsible for getting there. Here's how we did it: fly to Xilinhot from Beijing for <1hr and about $185 (direct flights on either Air China from PEK or China United Airlines from Nanyuan airport) then take a three hour bus to a town called DongWuJi (sp?) and then the host family will help arrange a car to the actual home about 1.5 hours from town. (Bus 60rmb pp, Car 150rmb for 3pax). So total travel time from Beijing was about 7-8 hours and that's probably the quickest way.

Once there, we had a fantastic time on the family's property with their animals and though the parents speak only Mongolian, the young lady who arranges it speaks very good English and Chinese. Food is very ...traditional but you will be very full. Mostly lamb meat and horse milk so not recommended for vegans or vegetarians. We walked around, rode horses, and just chilled in the yurt. Very relaxing but don't expect to have tons to do. The yurt has one light and if you ask, they will let you charge your phone in the house. The Chinese gov has built houses with electricity for everyone in Inner Mongolia but they all still have yurts as well.

Overall, it was an amazing trip and we wish we had been able to stay another night. But even just for the one night, it was totally worth it. If this sounds appealing, feel free to shoot me a private message and I can connect you to our host family.

FYI This is purely a recommendation because it was super hard to find info on Inner Mongolia authentic travel and I think more people should experience this. I'm not in any way going to receive any money for this.

Answer

Thanks — this is a great, practical write-up and yes: an authentic yurt (蒙古包) stay like the one you describe is absolutely doable from Xilinhot (锡林浩特) if you plan the last-mile carefully. I’ll summarise a clear, step-by-step “how we got there / what to expect” guide (based on your report) and add practical alternatives & tips so others can copy your route.

Overview — quick summary of the route you used: fly from Beijing to Xilinhot (XIL), take a regional bus from Xilinhot to the East Ujimqin area (the user’s “DongWuJi” is very likely 东乌珠穆沁旗 / East Ujimqin Banner), then arrange a local car/transfer from that town to the host’s home (about another ~1.5 hours). The poster paid about RMB 200/night (including all food); they reported a bus ≈RMB60 and a local car ≈RMB150 for 3 people as the last-mile transfer.

Getting there — flight + the first land hop:

Fly: Beijing → Xilinhot Airport (XIL). Flight time is short (around 1h–1h30m non-stop). Airlines that commonly serve the route include Air China and other regional carriers; fares fluctuate but sample searches show economy fares in the low hundreds of USD roundtrip depending on season. Book early in summer/holiday season.
Note on airports: Beijing’s old Nanyuan (NAY) ceased civil passenger operations in 2019; most flights to Xilinhot now operate from Beijing Capital (PEK) or Beijing Daxing (PKX) depending on the carrier. Don’t plan on using Nanyuan.

From Xilinhot to the yurt area (East Ujimqin / “DongWu…”):

Public bus: there are regular long-distance buses connecting Xilinhot and East Ujimqin Banner (东乌珠穆沁旗). Timetables are posted by the East Ujimqin transport office — buses run daily (check the local bus-station times the week you travel). The road distance between Xilinhot and East Ujimqin is roughly 260–270 km and driving time is commonly ~3–3.5 hours.
Private/local car for the last mile: many small towns and familes in the banners will help arrange a private car/driver from the town bus station (or meet you at the road). The TripAdvisor poster paid about RMB150 for a car (3 pax) for the 1.5-hour final leg — that’s a realistic benchmark but prices vary by season and negotiation. Always confirm the price in writing (WeChat photo) before the trip.
Alternative ground options: trains and long-distance buses from Beijing to Xilinhot exist but are much longer (bus ≈10–11h; trains can be 8–12h depending on route). If you’re time-rich and prefer overland, those are cheaper options.

What the stay is like (expectations & food):

Authenticity: the family yurt described is a working herder household (hosts keep sheep & horses). Expect simple, genuine nomadic life rather than polished “tourist gercamps.” The yurt in the report had just basic lighting and the hosts kindly let guests charge phones.
Food: very traditional and hearty — lots of lamb/mutton and dairy (including horse-milk products such as airag/kumis). If you are vegetarian/vegan you will have limited choices; plan snacks or ask the host in advance. Mongolian/Inner-Mongolian rural diets are heavily meat & dairy based.
Language: many older family members speak Mongolian only; the younger arranger often speaks good Chinese and (in your case) English — arrange a contact who can translate/meet you at the town. The poster coordinated everything over WeChat.

Practical step-by-step checklist (copy-paste when planning):

Book a flight to XIL (check PEK and PKX for departures), arrive in Xilinhot early if possible.
From XIL airport → Xilinhot city (taxi or local shuttle) → buy a bus ticket to East Ujimqin at the long-distance bus station (or prebook if possible). Check bus times the day before.
Ask your host to confirm the meeting point in the town (bus station name & telephone) and to arrange the local car/driver for the final 1–2 hour dirt-road transfer. Get the driver’s phone number on WeChat.
Bring cash (small notes), a power bank, basic toiletries, layered clothes (grassland weather changes fast), sun & wind protection, and any snack/vegetarian food you’ll need.

Quick packing & safety tips:

WeChat: download + set up in advance — it’s the common way hosts and drivers communicate and send photos/locations. (If you plan to use WeChat Pay, prepare for extra setup steps — otherwise cash works in remote places.)
Money: carry RMB cash (small bills) for remote transfers, tips, and purchases. Don’t rely on cards.
Packing: good walking shoes, a warm mid-layer for nights, sunscreen, insect repellent, a bedside headlamp, and a power bank (the yurt has minimal outlets).
Health & meds: bring any personal meds, plus basic stomach remedies — food is rich and heavy on dairy/meat.
Respect: ask before photographing people or animals; accept hospitality and share small gifts (tea, biscuits) if you like.

Other practical notes & alternatives:

If you prefer a more commercial option (with easier bookings and slightly higher comfort), Hohhot and Xilamuren grassland tours operate regular yurt camps — they are easier to book but usually busier and more “touristy.” If you want the authentic family experience, the host-family route you described is ideal.
If you can’t find direct flights at convenient times, consider: (A) train to Xilinhot (long overnight option), or (B) a bus from Beijing (overnight coach). These save money but take much longer.

Final thoughts — what made your trip special (and how others can replicate it):

The combination of finding a bilingual local arranger (the young woman you mention), travelling to Xilinhot by a short domestic flight, then using the regular inter-banner buses plus a short private transfer is a reliable low-cost formula for authentic homestays on the Xilingol steppe. If you want, I can quickly draft a short private message template (in English + simple Chinese) that a traveller could send over WeChat to ask the host about availability, exact meeting points, and dietary needs — that often makes the first contact much smoother.

Finding an Authentic Mongolian Yurt Homestay near Xilinhot

More Inner Mongolia Travel Questions

The attractions mentioned in this question

Popular Destinations

Popular Travel Questions