Holiday Inn Express Hohhot East Station by IHG

The balcony had a lovely view over Hohhot, even in the cold, and the room stayed warm and comfortable. It was very clean too, which mattered with daytime temperatures of -2°C to -10°C and nights down to -20°C in late December. Houbutaqi Station, Exit C, is about a 1 km walk away, and there’s a mini market next door for snacks and basics. We paid RM 429 for two nights in a 1 King Bed Smart Room with Balcony. Breakfast for two and a light midnight supper were included, so it felt like really good value. We enjoyed the stay and found the hospitality warm. The hotel isn’t halal certified, so if you’re Muslim, tell reception or the kitchen that you avoid pork, lard, and alcohol-based ingredients. At breakfast or the midnight canteen, ask which dishes have pork or meat, and stick to vegetarian or egg options if you’re unsure. You can say “Wǒ bù chī zhūròu” (I don't eat pork), meaning “I don’t eat pork,” or “Wǒ chī sù” (I eat vegetarian food), meaning “I eat vegetarian.” A few precautions made it easy for us to enjoy our stay in a less Muslim-friendly region.