If Buddhist artifacts and Mongolian crafts are your thing, then Hohhot’s got something for you.  On offer is a wide assortment of traditional Mongolian products such as Mongolian knives, carpets, camel hair products (great for keeping warm!), brass hotpots, cashmere sweaters, silver bowls, jade bottles, as well as quality leather products. 

A visit to Minzu Shangchang (Minorities Department Store) on Hongshan Xi Lu, or to the shops around the Inner Mongolia Museum will put you within haggling range. To hit the cashmere jackpot, head over to Yangrou Fuzhuang Fushi Zhixiao Zhongxin (the Cashmere Products Marketing Center) across from the Zhaojun Hotel. If Buddhist artifacts are your bag, make sure to visit the Dazhao and Xilituzhao temple area. Don’t forget to take a walk through the Muslim Quarter’s zigzagging streets, you’ll find covered market halls, stalls and shops selling an interesting array of Chinese and Mongolian goods. If you decide to pay a visit to one of the mosques, please make sure to dress appropriately.

Be warned, it’s not unusual to see merchants peddling cow and goat skulls on the street, but don’t be alarmed. Traditionally, it’s believed that an animal’s soul is still resident after it’s been eaten, if you place its skull in a prominent place, you’ll honor it, and it will bring you good luck in business. To get your new business thriving, cow skulls can be purchased for about RMB 280, goat skulls RMB 160.