The Daqingshan hills rise immediately north of Hohhot, forming a natural backdrop to the city and containing the Daqingshan National Forest Park — a large area of pine and birch forest, rocky ridgelines, and mountain meadows that makes a complete contrast to the flat steppe landscapes for which Inner Mongolia is better known. The park is most popular with Hohhot residents on weekends, when the trails up to the main viewpoints are well-frequented, and offers walking, picnicking, and cool temperatures that can be 5–8°C lower than the city below.
The trail to the main summit (about 2,000 metres) takes 3–4 hours from the main park entrance and involves a sustained climb through forest before emerging onto open rocky slopes with panoramic views north over the steppe and south over Hohhot and the agricultural plain. The park has good facilities near the entrance — car park, food stalls, basic gear rental — and is easily reached by taxi from central Hohhot in about forty minutes.