Discover Baotou: Museum, Steel History and Saihan Tala

Baotou offers visitors a range of attractions: the Baotou Museum, with its city and regional history; the Baotou Steel Industrial Tourism Area; and the urban grassland of Saihan Tala. If you’re looking for a hotel in Baotou, you can start by considering which of these themes you’d like to shape your stay most. The sites range from exhibitions and insights into industry to cycling, walking and possible wildlife sightings.

City and Cultural History at the Baotou Museum

The Baotou Museum was established in December 1998. It is a national first-class museum that presents the cultural heritage and the development of civilization in the western part of Inner Mongolia. Its six permanent exhibitions cover both Baotou’s own history and culture and subjects relating to the region as a whole.

“九原长歌——包头古代历史文化陈列” focuses on Baotou’s ancient history and culture, “西北巨埠——包头近现代史陈列” on its more recent and modern history, and “北疆明珠——包头当代史陈列” on the city’s contemporary history. The three other exhibitions explore the ancient rock art of Inner Mongolia in “史话石说——内蒙古古代岩画陈列,” Baotou’s folk culture in “鹿城往事——包头民俗文化展,” and the thangka art of Inner Mongolia in “菩提工巧——内蒙古唐卡艺术陈列.” City-specific subjects are thus presented alongside regional art and culture.

The museum also offers educational and study activities. A 2024 report by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism lists six types, including training for young museum guides, archaeology and restoration activities, traditional clothing programs, a treasure hunt and a museum night. The report gives an annual average of nearly 300 for thematic educational activities. These figures give an idea of the breadth of the education program without specifying dates for individual events.

Industrial History and Remembrance

The Baotou Steel Industrial Tourism Area presents the history and technology of Baotou Steel, along with its more than 70-year history of development. A combined route includes commentary in exhibition halls, visits to production lines and stops at industrial monuments. The area also serves as an important place to learn about the development of China’s steel industry. In 2006, the State Council designated it a “national model site for industrial tourism.”

The “Baomian 1958” exhibition hall offers another perspective on Baotou’s industrial history. In an authentic industrial setting, it recreates the scene of a cotton mill from the 1950s. At the same time, it preserves the memories of several generations of older Baotou residents. The focus here is therefore on a recreated historic workplace and the memories associated with it.

Walking and Cycling in Saihan Tala

The urban grassland of Saihan Tala complements the museum and industry themes with outdoor activities. Visitors can cycle across the meadows or explore on foot. They may encounter sika deer in the forest. Wildlife watching is an additional aspect of a visit, while cycling and walking offer different ways to experience the grassland.

For planning your trip, this gives you a choice of distinct interests: the Baotou Museum’s exhibitions explore city history, folk culture and regional art; Baotou Steel focuses on industrial development; and Saihan Tala offers opportunities for cycling and walking, as well as the chance to see sika deer. These themes can help you decide what you’d like to focus on during your stay in Baotou.

Discover more destinations: Wuhai, Ulanqab, Hohhot, Chifeng, Hulun Buir, Xilin Gol, Hinggan, Tongliao

For the overarching travel overview: Inner Mongolia.