Baotou is about an hour from Hohhot by high-speed train on the Beijing-Baotou line; the same line continues west toward Xinjiang. From Beijing, the train takes about six hours. Baotou Erliban Airport serves several major Chinese cities including Beijing, Shanghai, and Chengdu; the airport is in the eastern part of the city, well connected by taxi.
The city divides into two main areas — the older Donghe (East River) district and the newer Kundulun and Qingshan districts to the west — spread across a considerable distance. Arriving at Baotou station (Donghe) or Baotou East station (central districts) matters for getting to your accommodation quickly; check which is closer before buying a train ticket.