The local specialty is shuan yangrou, a form of mutton hot pot that uses plain boiling water instead of broth. The best is found at Mengxiangyuan Huoguo (tel. 0470/622-0989; 10am-5am; meal for two ¥30-¥50), an unassuming restaurant on Wu Daojie. They're famous for their fresh lamb but do offer a vegetarian option (qingshui guodi).
The city's busiest Russian restaurants are Xinmanyuan Xicanting, San Daojie 38 (tel. 0470/622-2008; 7am-1am; meal for two ¥30-¥50), and Beijiaerhu Xicanting, Zhongsu Jie 23 (tel. 0470/623-4689; 7am until late; meal for two ¥40-¥70), a strange and raucous eatery-cum-nightclub located behind the International Hotel (look for the white-and-green awning). Best are the bowls of hearty suba tang (beef, potato, and carrot in tomato broth).
There is a KFC at Beifang Shichang, on Wu Daojie.
For a lunch or dinner in the middle of the grasslands, head to Dongfang Han holiday restaurant. Located 20 minutes south of downtown, a taxi ride will cost ¥40. You can order a whole lamb and eat in a yurt, a traditional Mongolian felt tent. Other activities include horseback riding and Mongolian dancing.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
