Hohhot

Hohhot is Inner Mongolia's capital city. What we thought would be a far-flung outpost is actually just another modern boomtown in China. You see few Mongols here as well, despite it being a capital city of the Mongol Autonomous Region. It was dusty and busy but we actually found the city pleasant. Halal food was everywhere (the city have a substantial Hui population) and people are extremely helpful around here. We liked the city main square, and were lucky that it was spruced up for the Olympic torch relay that came to the city while we were there. At night it was heaving with people, playing games and singing. The Old Town was my favourite part of the city, boasting a thriving antiques (or fake antiques) market and beautiful old architecture. The prices are rarely overly inflated to foreign tourists as these shops target the local Chinese tourists. It's a good place to buy traditional Chinese swords as it costs barely 15 quid for a very finely crafted one. We wanted to get one but decided not to knowing that it will be a nightmare walking around China with a sword - Usman looks like a Xinjiang separatist and I have an almost useless passport.

On a motor-powered rickshaw.

The city square lits up and becomes a massive playground.

Hohhot's old mosque is a beautiful demonstration of universality of Islam.

The old town has one of the best market we've seen.

The bustling Muslim street in Hohhot makes finding halal food easier than in England.

The new development next to the Old town mimics old architecture but feels a bit boring. Look at Usman's face.