The remote, little-visited Cave Temple is one of the oldest monasteries in Inner Mongolia. Construction began in the mid-17th century and was expanded in 1831 by the famed Outer Mongolian monks, Danzan Ravjaa. The temples were destroyed during the Cultural Revolution but have since been rebuilt. Look out for the most holy relic, a statue of Padmasambhava in the main hall, said to be fashioned by Padmasambhava himself. About 20 monks live here and one will probably tote you around the cave temples (and may offer you a bowl of mutton soup if you arrive in time for lunch).
The monastery is 90km from the city of Dèngkǒu (磴口). The only way to get here is by taxi (¥250 including waiting time). The 90-minute ride is over fairly rough roads and the final 6km winds up a narrow defile in the Lángshān (狼山) mountains.
Dèngkǒu is a minor stop of the Bāotóu–Yínchūan railway (most trains stop in the middle of the night). Long-haul express buses don't stop here; the nearest main bus terminal is in Línhé (临河). It's possible to get a bus from Bāotóu to Línhé (Y62, four hours), then take a local bus to Dèngkǒu (¥14, one hour). Travelling by bus from Yínchūan is less convenient; the driver will pull to the side of the expressway where you slide down the embankment to an access road below the highway. From here you'll need to walk the last few kilometres to Dèngkǒu.
