Lying in the far north of Inner Mongolia, Baotou literally translates from Mongolian as "Land with Deer", although not many exist in the wild in this region now - they are more likely to be served up on a plate in one of the town's more upmarket restaurants!  Previously little more than a semi desert community of Mongol herders, Baotou reaped the benefits of the Communist Party's succession to power in 1949, when a railway was extended and roads constructed linking the town with the outside world, and giving the government a way of making the most of Baotou's rich deposits of iron, coal and other minerals.  There is not a huge amount for the tourist to do here, but is a useful stopover point en route somewhere else.  Minor attractions in the town include a mausoleum dedicated to Genghis Khan, a steam locomotive museum and a couple of monasteries.