Plan at a glance
Closure and reopening plans
The operating company for the core area of Horse Capital of China Cultural and Ecological Tourism Scenic Area has announced an upgrade project and plans to close the area to visitors from August 2026 through June 2027. The exact reopening date will be announced separately. As of October 2026, plan around the closure: do not travel to the site or enter construction areas.
Location and visit length
The scenic area lies south of Xilinhot's South 2nd Ring Road, between the old and new alignments of China National Highway 207, and covers about 15 square kilometers. After reopening, allow about two hours for a short visit to the main buildings and racecourse. If the ski area and snow-play activities resume, plan for half a day in winter.
Tickets and visit details
View visit options for this attraction and confirm the visit date and current arrangements before you go.
Choose your visit
Racecourse and horse-culture venues
The planned facilities include indoor and outdoor racecourses, a multipurpose grandstand, an equestrian club, a horse-culture performance hall, a riding school, and stables. The operator has yet to announce which will reopen. Wait for the post-reopening activity list before planning a riding experience.
Mongolian Horse: Songs of the Four Seasons (《蒙古马·四季牧歌》)
The 2026 production featured four seasonal acts—winter, spring, summer, and autumn—with 200 performers, 140 Mongolian horses, and a 120-meter curved screen. A high central stage is surrounded by lower platforms that depict herders' daily life. Scenes include protecting young animals in a snowstorm and a white horse rescuing its master. “Four seasons” describes the story's structure; this version was scheduled for summer, and there are no performances while the scenic area is closed for this upgrade.
Summer performances are announced each year
The 2025 Mongolian Horse performance season ran from June 29 to August 31. On July 19, 2026, the Horse Culture Performance Hall staged the new “Mongolian Horse: Songs of the Four Seasons”; reports at the time said performances were planned through the end of August. The scenic area later announced its closure from August 2026 through June 2027, but available information does not confirm the show's actual final performance date. Check that year's notices for post-reopening dates, showtimes, ticketing, and the production version.
Skiing and winter snow play
In the past, the Horse Capital ski area offered skiing, snow tubing, snow off-road vehicles, and other snow-play activities. The city guide for the winter season from December 2025 to March 2026 placed the Ice and Snow Carnival at the ski area and listed snow tug-of-war, children's ice carts, and snow bumper cars. These were last season's activities and do not confirm plans for the 2026–27 season.
Build your day
A two-hour visit after reopening
After reopening, if both the main buildings and the racecourse are open, start with the main building complex, continue to the racecourse, and return to the entrance as directed that day. Allow about two hours. This is a planning estimate; use the post-reopening visitor map for the actual stops and paths within the park.
A half-day winter visit
Add skiing, snow tubing, or snow-play activities to a half-day plan only after the ski area reopens and publishes its seasonal schedule. If evening performances return, arrange your ride back before entering; the park is a considerable distance from downtown, and finding a car after a show may be difficult.
Get there
Navigation and road names
Search for “中国马都核心区文化生态旅游景区” or “马文化演艺厅” in your map app. The South 2nd Ring Road and the old and new alignments of China National Highway 207 help locate the wider area. For a visit, use the specific entrance and shuttle route announced by the operator.
City transport and parking
The scenic area is about a 20-minute drive from downtown Xilinhot. Older visitor guides recommend driving, and the site previously had a parking lot. City bus coverage is limited, especially at night. The area is closed to visitors during the upgrade; the operator has yet to announce post-reopening parking, fees, or city shuttle arrangements.
Know before you go
Shows, skiing, and tickets
Performance seasons, ski opening dates, and activities can change from year to year. The summer 2026 performances and the 2025–26 ski season have ended. Post-reopening admission prices, seating maps, showtimes, stored-value card validity, and ski-area rules have not been announced. Check that year's rules before buying tickets or making purchases.
Safety during construction
The upgrade covers the scenic area and its on-site businesses, and the operator's notice says visitor service is suspended. Stay clear of construction barriers and closed entrances; do not try to enter the site by another road. Plan riding, performances, and snow activities after the area reopens.
Dining back in town
After reopening, you can return to downtown for scallion-and-lamb pan-fried shaomai at Lao Suiyuan or Sichuan food at the restaurant opposite Jintang Building. On-site dining options and hours remain subject to the post-reopening announcement.