Located in the middle of Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region is the Xilin Gol Grasslands, bordering on the Republic of Mongolia in the north and neighboring Hebei Province in the south. Within the zone are vast stretches of natural grasslands and landscapes of sandy land, lakes and volcanic remains, the most typical prairie scenery in Inner Mongolia. It is also one of the main regions where the Mongol ethnic group live in compact communities. The zone boasts a great number of historical sites. Xilinhot City is a tourist center in the zone, linked to Beijing and Hohhot by air flights. Jining-Erenhot Railway runs through the zone in the middle, and a highway network has radiated in all direction.

Xilinhot City

This is a top tourist city of China. Located in the middle of Xilin Gol League, it is a political, economic and cultural center of the League. Here highways radiate in all directions. There are air routes linking it with Hohhot and Beijing. The city boasts good natural grazing grounds and various species of wild fauna and flora. Its scenic spots include the Beizi Temple and Xiri Tala Holiday Resort.

Bayan Xile Eco-tourism Area

Bayan Xile means "fertile mountain ridge" in Mongol. The eco-tourism area, located 55 km southeast to the Xilinhot City, covers a total area of 3,730 square km. The No. 303 national highway runs through it. It has plenty of water and lush grass. The wild fauna and flora are abundant. Its natural landscape and the scenery with human touches are of unique characteristics. The most representative attractions include: Zagyastail Lake, sandy land, mixed forest of poplar and birch, sandy land dragon spruce forest, Habqil natural canyon, lava tableland, the grassland ecological positioning station of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the race course, wildlife zoo and botanic garden. The region was designated by UNESCO as an integrated part of the Xilin Gol Grasslands (typical grassland ecological system) Biosphere Reserve, a project of the world Biosphere Reserve Network.

Site of Shangdu (Upper Capital) of the Yuan Dynasty

Located some 20 km northeast of Dundhot where the government of Zhenglan Banner, Xilin Gol League, is located, the Shangdu of the Yuan Dynasty was designed by Liu Bingzhong, Kublai Khan's adviser of Han nationality. After four years' construction, it was completed in 1256. The design of the capital embodied the layout of a traditional Han city and at the same time took into consideration the habit of Mongolians' nomadic life style. In 1260, Kublai Khan succeeded to the throne here calling it Kaipingfu. In 1271, he named his reigning dynasty as Yuan and established the capital of Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) in present Beijing. The Kaipingfu was therefore renamed as Shangdu, and had since become the summer resort of Kublai Khan. The site of Shangdu is now under state protection.

Xiri Tala Grassland Holiday Resort

Located 15 km southeast to Xilinhot City, Xilin Gol League, the holiday resort covers an area of 9 square km. It is in a flat and open country with luxuriant grass and a quiet environment. It is a typical section of the Xilin Gol Grasslands. The resort boasts 50-plus Mongolian yurts of various styles.