Inner Mongolia facts for kids

Inner Mongolia in China, showing its location in China

Inner Mongolia (in Mongolian: Öbür mongγul; in Chinese: 内蒙古, Nèi Měnggǔ) is a special region in northern China. It is called an "autonomous region" because it has its own government that makes some decisions for the Mongol people living there.

Inner Mongolia shares borders with many Chinese provinces like Heilongjiang and Gansu. To its north, it borders the country of Mongolia and Russia. It's a huge area, the third largest in China, covering about 12% of the country's land. Around 24 million people live here. The capital city is Hohhot.

Most people in Inner Mongolia are Han Chinese. However, there is a large group of Mongols too. The main languages spoken are Standard Mandarin and Mongolian. Mongolian is written using a special classical alphabet.

A desert area in Inner Mongolia

What's in a Name?

In Chinese, this region is called "Inner Mongolia." The words "Inner" and "Outer" come from the Manchu language. "Inner Mongolia" is different from "Outer Mongolia." "Outer Mongolia" was a name used for what is now the independent country of Mongolia and also the Republic of Tuva in Russia.

In Mongolian, the region is known as öbör mongγol. The word öbör can mean south, inner, front, or even bosom.

Who Lives in Inner Mongolia?

A KFC restaurant in Hohhot, the capital. Street signs here are usually in both Mongolian and Chinese.

The largest group of people living in Inner Mongolia are the Han Chinese, making up about 80% of everyone. The Mongols are the second largest group, about 17% of the population. Interestingly, more Mongols live in Inner Mongolia than in the independent country of Mongolia!

Here's a look at the different groups from a 2000 study:

Fun Places to Visit

Inner Mongolia has many interesting places to explore, from ancient temples to vast grasslands.

Exploring Hohhot

The Five Pagoda Temple in Hohhot, a Buddhist temple.

In the capital city of Hohhot, you can find:

• Dazhao Temple: This is a Lamaist temple built in 1580. It's famous for a statue of Buddha made of silver, amazing dragon carvings, and beautiful murals.
• Xiaozhao Temple: Also known as Chongfu temple, this Lamaist temple was built in 1697. The Qing Dynasty emperor Kangxi liked it very much.
• Xilituzhao Temple: This is the biggest Lamaist temple in the Hohhot area. It used to be a very important center for Tibetan Buddhism in the region.
• Zhaojun Tomb: This is the tomb of Wang Zhaojun. She was a lady from the Han Dynasty palace who became a wife of a Xiongnu ruler.

Adventures Outside the Capital

Beyond Hohhot, there are more amazing sights:

• Mausoleum of Genghis Khan: This is a special monument for Genghis Khan, a famous Mongol leader. It's located in Ordos City.
• Bashang Grasslands: Close to Beijing, these grasslands are a popular spot for city people to enjoy nature and experience grassland life.
• Arshihaty Stone Forest: This UNESCO Geo Park has incredible granite rock shapes. They were formed over time by natural erosion.
• Xiangshawan: Also called "singing sands gorge," this place is in the Gobi Desert. You can try sand sledding or ride camels here!

Images for kids

• 

  A Persian miniature showing Genghis Khan entering Beijing

• 

  The Northern Yuan at its greatest size

• 

  The Mongolia plateau in the early 1600s

• 

  Inner Mongolia and Outer Mongolia within the Qing dynasty, around 1820

• 

  Mongols standing in front of a yurt, 1912

• 

  Delegates of Inner Mongolia People's Congress

• 

  Inner Mongolian steppes (grasslands)

• 

  The landscape of Inner Mongolia in China

• 

  Winter in Ulanbutan Grassland, Hexigten Banner

• 

  A theater in Hohhot

• 

  The Inner Mongolia Gymnasium

• 

  A street with Muslim themes in Hohhot

• 

  An Inner Mongolian carpet from around 1870

• 

  The Temple of the White Sulde of Genghis Khan in Uxin, Inner Mongolia. Both Chinese and Mongolian folk religions honor Genghis Khan here.

• 

  A sign for the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center

• 

  A jade dragon from the Hongshan culture (4700 BC – 2900 BC), found in Ongniud Banner, Chifeng

• 

  Ulaanbutan grassland

• 

  Inner Mongolian grassland

• 

  An honorary tomb for Wang Zhaojun (born around 50 BC) in Hohhot

• 

  A fresco from a Liao dynasty (907–1125) tomb at Baoshan, Ar Horqin Banner

• 

  Khitan people cooking. This fresco is from a Liao dynasty (907–1125) tomb in Aohan Banner

• 

  The remains of the city Khara-Khoto, built in 1032. It's in Ejin Banner, Alxa League

• 

  A model of the Maidari Juu temple fortress (美岱召) built by Altan Khan in 1575 near Baotou

• 

  A newly built arch in front of the Maidari Juu temple fortress (1575)

• 

  Dazhao temple (also called Ikh Zuu) built by Altan Khan in 1579

• 

  Badekar Monastery (1749) near Baotou, Inner Mongolia. Called Badgar Zuu in Mongolian.

• 

  Badain Jaran temple (1868) in Alxa Right Banner, western Inner Mongolia

• 

  The Genghis Khan Mausoleum (built 1954) in Ejin Horo Banner

• 

  The gate of the Genghis Khan Mausoleum (built 1954)

• 

  Scenery of the Helan Mountains

• 

  Alxa Western Monastery (Alshaa Baruun Hiid) built in 1756

See also

In Spanish: Mongolia Interior para niños