At least if you get the rp, it will save on messing about with L visas.

Pre July 1st it was like this in Hohhot: I could get a 6 monthly L and without a medical. Cost 160 RMB X2 /year
Or a 360 day L with a medical. Cost 160 RMB + 320 RMB/year

But now, 1 year RP, 800 RMB + 320 RMB for a medical! So, I'd rather mess about with L's. But alas now I can't. I suppose all good things must come to an end!

I do know hohhot and baotou are different cities, it is still the same autonomous region and they have always done things differently there, even before all these strict rules. I have had trouble in both baotou and hohhot with visas.

Sorry to hear that you have had trouble in Baotou and Hohhot. We must bear it, but it's good to forewarn the other board readers. By giving those 2 cities a miss, they can avoid such trouble. But they might well encounter the same elsewhere in China. Who knows?