The 2026 Inner Mongolia Tourism Development Conference kicks off in Ordos on July 10. [Photo/Benteng Integrated Media]

The 2026 Inner Mongolia Tourism Development Conference kicked off on July 10 in Ordos, North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region, bringing together tourism experts, industry representatives, and local authorities to explore new opportunities for the region's cultural and tourism development.

The conference opened with a promotional video highlighting Inner Mongolia's diverse tourism resources, from vast grasslands and magnificent deserts to forests, rivers and rich cultural heritage, offering guests an immersive glimpse of the region's landscapes and experiences.

A highlight of the event was a keynote session featuring experts and industry leaders, including Yu Minhong, founder of New Oriental Education & Technology Group, and Ge Lei, secretary-general of the China Tourism Association.

Speakers shared insights on tourism innovation, product development, and service upgrades, emphasizing the shift from sightseeing-focused travel to deeper experiences involving participation, connection, and personal growth.

The conference also unveiled Inner Mongolia's 2026 list of 20 popular tourist destinations and 10 signature travel routes, providing new choices for travelers and inspiration for tourism operators.

The featured destinations include Arxan National Forest Park, known for its volcanic landscapes, alpine lakes, hot springs, and forests; Whistling Dune Bay Desert Resort, famous for desert activities and performances; and the Manzhouli China-Russia Border Tourism Zone, where visitors can experience border culture and iconic landmarks.

Yu Minhong, founder of New Oriental Education & Technology Group, shares insights during the conference. [Photo/Benteng Integrated Media]

The 10 travel routes cover a wide range of experiences, including grassland adventures, Yellow River cultural journeys, border road trips, desert exploration, wellness retreats in the Greater Hinggan Mountains, and winter snow experiences, showcasing Inner Mongolia's natural beauty and cultural diversity throughout the year.

The conference also highlighted 50 popular specialty agricultural and livestock products, with dried beef, roasted whole lamb, and milk skin yogurt among the top choices. The initiative aims to connect local products with tourism consumption and promote the "Taste of Inner Mongolia" brand.

In addition, 10 representative cases of integrated development among agriculture, culture, tourism, sports, and commerce were presented, covering areas such as digital innovation, sporting events, intangible cultural heritage, museums, wellness tourism, and industrial heritage.

Ordos, as the host city of the event, shared its experiences in tourism resource development, brand building, and industry integration.

Representatives from Hulunbuir, Hohhot, and Alshaa also promoted their tourism offerings and investment opportunities, seeking deeper cooperation with travel agencies, investors, and tourism enterprises.

At the conference, the Inner Mongolia branch of the Bank of Communications launched a new financial product designed to support cultural and tourism enterprises. Agreements for 12 cooperation projects were signed during the event, helping transform tourism plans into practical initiatives.