North China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region is welcoming a growing number of foreign tourists this summer, as destinations across the region have rolled out innovative desert activities and immersive cultural experiences to enrich inbound travel offerings.
In Ordos, a city famed for its vast desert landscapes, the Xiangshawan scenic area has launched a creative summer lineup combining desert sightseeing, water-based cooling activities and indoor ice skating.
Visitors can enjoy classic desert adventures such as camel rides and dune bashing, while also cooling off with water play and even ice skating in the heart of the desert.
The unique combination has been well received by international visitors.
"The facilities here are great. I'm from the Republic of Korea, and I'm really enjoying my time," said Lee Hong-deok, a tourist.
According to the scenic area's management, Xiangshawan has received 16,000 foreign tourists since July 1, marking a 176 percent year-on-year increase. Most overseas visitors come from the Republic of Korea, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore.
The strong growth is supported by targeted measures from local authorities to boost connectivity and upgrade cultural and tourism products.
"We have opened seven direct flight routes to countries and regions including the Republic of Korea, Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam. We have also rolled out more than 10 signature cultural and tourism products, such as desert space capsules and distinctive Mongolian yurts, and distributed over 3 million yuan in vouchers. These efforts have effectively driven the upgrading of the entire industrial chain, covering catering, accommodation, cultural and creative products, intangible cultural heritage and leisure services," said local tourism official Hou Le.
Beyond desert destinations, the border port city of Erenhot has become a popular stop for foreign travelers journeying eastward, offering a taste of traditional Chinese culture and local urban life.
Visitors can sample local delicacies, take in city scenery and participate in hands-on cultural activities there. Calligraphy, shadow puppetry, weaving and sugar figure making are among the most sought-after experiences.
"This is my first time trying sugar painting. The works are so exquisite. They are both visually appealing and edible," said a visitor from Mongolia.
"I used to mostly pass through here on my way to Hohhot, Beijing and other destinations. This time, I got to truly explore Erenhot. It's been such a delightful surprise," said another tourist from Mongolia.
Across Inner Mongolia, destinations are increasingly focusing on night performances, specialty dining, and intangible cultural heritage experiences. These efforts are steering inbound tourism away from single-purpose sightseeing toward deeper, more immersive engagement, and sustaining the vitality of cultural and tourism consumption.
Official statistics show that in the first half of 2026, Inner Mongolia received 1.0978 million inbound tourists, up 11.90 percent year on year. Total tourism spending from inbound visitors reached 5.501 billion yuan (about 815 million U.S. dollars), a 16.07 percent increase compared with the same period last year.
Foreign travelers drawn to diverse desert and cultural experiences in Inner Mongolia
