Guokui Mountain

Guokui Mountain

About 30 kilometers southwest of Xilinhot lies a peculiar mountain. This mountain resembles an upside-down iron pot, with four similarly shaped smaller hills evenly distributed around it. Local herders call this mountain “Taogao Wula,” meaning Guokui Mountain. Whenever the rain clears, the grass glistens with dew, sunlight filters through the remnants of clouds, and the fragrance of the grass fills the air, a rainbow often appears over the mountain, giving viewers a mirage-like experience. It is a national 3A-level scenic spot.

According to local herders’ legends, beneath Guokui Mountain lies a mountain spring with exceptionally sweet water. Genghis Khan’s eight legendary steeds would come here to drink every day. No matter where Genghis Khan went afterward, these horses would always run back to drink from this spring. Once, when Genghis Khan went to fight in a distant land, the horses ran back to the spring again, causing him to miss the optimal time to engage in battle. In a fit of rage, Genghis Khan ordered a large pot by the spring to be turned upside down to cover the water, preventing the horses from drinking there again. Later, the pot turned into the mountain. Not far from the mountain, the pot stand can still be seen clearly in the distance.

Within the territory of Baolegen Sumu in Xilinhot City, there is a uniquely shaped mountain that resembles an upside-down iron pot, with four similarly shaped smaller hills evenly distributed around it. Local herders call the central mountain “Taogao Wula” (meaning Guokui Mountain in Chinese), and the surrounding four smaller hills “Taogao Entali Biguli Wula” (meaning Pot Stand Mountain in Chinese). The origin of the mountain’s name comes from a legend. It is said that the revered ancestor Genghis Khan once camped his army here and left behind a pot, which later turned into Taogao Wula, while the pot stand became Taogao Entali Biguli Wula. Hence, the name Guokui Mountain.

Guokui Mountain has a touching legend. Once, during a military campaign, Genghis Khan, the founding emperor of the Yuan Dynasty, passed through this area. By then, the sun had already set behind the western mountains, so Genghis Khan ordered his troops to set up camp on the spot. The soldiers began digging cooking pits and starting fires in the grassland. News of the Great Khan passing through spread quickly across the grasslands like the wind, and nearby herders agreed to come and pay their respects to him at dawn. However, when they arrived at the campsite through the morning mist, it was already empty—only this mountain resembling a guokui (a type of bread) and several smaller surrounding hills remained. The herders said this must have been the iron pot used by the Great Khan, which had turned into the mountain.

Best travel time: Xilinhot in Inner Mongolia has a typical temperate semi-arid continental climate, with short springs and autumns, no severe summer heat, long winters, and distinct seasons. In recent years, sandstorms are more frequent in spring and autumn, so it is advised that tourists avoid visiting the grasslands during windy and sandy weather. Food: The dining scene in Xilinhot remains dominated by Mongolian flavors. Roast whole lamb, hand-grabbed mutton, Mongolian hot pot, and milk tea are must-try delicacies for anyone traveling to the grasslands.