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The Mongolian name of the dam is "Saihan Kanda Bahan Seqin", which means "beautiful high ridge". You can learn about its geographical features from the name.
The Bashang Grassland, located in northwestern Hebei Province, on the southern edge of the Inner Mongolia Plateau, is the closest natural grassland to Beijing. "Bashang" is a geographical term specifically referring to a region formed by a sudden rise in grassland, where climate and vegetation have resulted in a meadow-like grassland pattern. The Bashang region broadly refers to the transition zone between Hebei Province and the Inner Mongolia Plateau, specifically encompassing Zhangbei County, Kangbao County, Shangyi County, Guyuan County, Chabei Administrative District, and Saibei Administrative District in Zhangjiakou City, as well as Weichang Manchu and Mongolian Autonomous County and Fengning Manchu Autonomous County in Chengde City.
This breathtakingly beautiful region, boasting diverse ecology and geomorphology, has long been a paradise for travel enthusiasts. Now, a growing number of photography enthusiasts are also exploring this beautiful land, eager to capture every breathtaking moment. The Bashang Grassland, covering a total area of 350 square kilometers, has a continental monsoon plateau climate. Winters are long, cold, windy, and arid, while summers are refreshingly cool. However, direct sunlight can be very strong, so sun protection is recommended. The average temperature in July is 20°C. Bashang's altitude ranges from 1,200 to 2,000 meters, reaching a peak of over 2,500 meters. The average annual temperature is 1-2°C, with a frost-free period of 90-120 days.
Ulan Butong is part of Bashang, which means "red altar-shaped mountain" in Mongolian. It is named after the famous Big/Small Red Mountain in the local area, so it is also called Hongshan Military Horse Farm. It is located in the southwest of Keshiketeng Banner, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Emperor Kangxi once fought against Galdan with an army of 200,000 here. It is part of the famous royal hunting ground.
The eastern and central mountain ranges are rolling and undulating, and the western part has many white sand dunes due to the weathering of the land. The scenic area has grasslands, sandy land, lakes, canyons, wetland woodlands, flowers, large areas of original secondary forests, trees, shrubs and woodland herbs.
(Photographer: Jingliang)
(Photographer: Pong_Leung)
Tips:
The temperature in Ulan Butong is relatively low in the morning and evening in autumn, with the perceived temperature reaching 0°C.
Protection: bucket hat, sandproof headscarf, camera rain cover, raincoat, umbrella
Clothing: Down jacket, three-piece jacket
The climate in Bashang Grassland is changeable, so be sure to prepare all protective equipment before traveling.
Know the local temperature in advance
It is best for people from all over the country to arrive in Beijing first, and then go to Ulan Butong from Beijing.
NO.1. Beijing → Siheyong → Weichang County → Ulanbutong
1. Take a train from Beijing to Siheyong (about 7 hours)
2. Take the shuttle bus from Siheyong Railway Station to Weichang County (fare: 5 yuan per person, takes about 20 minutes)
3. Take a bus from Weichang North Bus Station to Wulanbutong Hongshan Military Horse Farm. There are only two buses from Weichang to Hongshan Military Horse Farm per day, departing at 10:30 am and 1:30 pm (fare: 30 yuan per person, the journey takes about 3 hours).
NO.2. Beijing → Chifeng → Jingpeng Town → Ulanbutong Hongshan Military Horse Farm
1. Take a train from Beijing to Chifeng
2. Take a long-distance bus from Chifeng Bus Station to Jingpeng Town
3. Take a bus from Jingpeng Town to Hongshan Military Horse Farm. There are two buses a day, departing at 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. The fare is 30 yuan per person and the journey takes about 3 hours.
NO3. Beijing → Weichang → Ulan Butong Hongshan Military Horse Farm
1. Take a bus from Beijing Liuliqiao Long-distance Bus Station to Weichang County (fare: 113/person, the earliest bus leaves at 5:40, with buses departing every hour. The entire journey is 380 kilometers and takes about 8 hours)
2. Weichang County → Wulanbutong Hongshan Military Horse Farm (Take a bus from Weichang North Bus Station to Hongshan Military Horse Farm. There are only two buses a day, at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., fare: 30 yuan per person, and the journey takes about 3 hours)
1. Saihanba Line, the entire journey is about 460 km
Beijing → Get off at Weichang North or South Exit → Longtou Mountain → Qipan Mountain → Saihanba National Forest Park → Jiehe River → Ulanbutong Hongshan Military Horse Farm
2. Yudaokou Line, about 500 km
Beijing-Chengde Expressway → Weichang North or South Exit → Yudaokou Scenic Area → Saihanba National Forest Park → Jiehe → Ulanbutong Hongshan Military Horse Farm
Tips:
You need to pay entrance fees to Saihanba Forest Park (130 yuan/person) and Wulanbutong Scenic Area (120 yuan/person)
Beijing - Jingcheng Expressway - Chengwei Expressway - Exit at Weichang North Exit - Pailou - Yudaokou - Dahekou - Wulanbutong
(This is a ticket-avoiding route, but you need to detour the Saihanba route and walk an extra 70 kilometers. You can save a ticket and only need to pay the Ulan Butong ticket price of 120 yuan per person. You can choose according to your own situation.)
It is forbidden to stop during the journey. The road is narrow and there are many cars. It is very dangerous. It is best to stop and rest at the service area. Prepare more snacks and drink less water. There are relatively few service areas.
Self-driving friends need to be more familiar with the local environment, or be well prepared. It is also safer to hire a local driver. Most drivers are locals, know more about some niche attractions, and can help solve special situations in time. Inner Mongolians are easy to get along with.
Download the offline map in advance. There is no signal in many areas of Inner Mongolia, and the signal is weak.
The advantage is that you can see a lot of beautiful scenery along the way, and you can stop and take pictures if appropriate.
1. Beigou
Beigou stretches across the prairie military horse farm from north to south. It is a long ditch running from south to north, so it is called Beigou. It stretches for more than ten miles and has rich terrain. The hillsides are covered with birch trees. In addition, there is blue sky, white clouds, cattle and sheep. No matter it is direct light or backlight, sunrise or sunset, the output rate of photos is extremely high. It is a must-visit place for photographers.
Essential photography equipment: Wide-angle lens, 70-200mm, 400mm telephoto (Beigou is an area where rotational grazing is permitted, so you'll often see herds of cattle, sheep, and horses grazing together, but the distances vary, so a telephoto lens is essential). Both direct and backlit shots are effective. Adjust the camera settings and position based on the direction of the sunlight, keeping the aperture between 5.6-11. When encountering herds of cattle and sheep, keep the shutter speed above 400 to avoid blur.
The birch forests here are perfect for portrait photography in autumn. The golden autumn grasslands complement the martial arts-themed portraits, enriching grassland photography themes. Essential lenses for portraits: 85mm, 50mm, with a wide aperture to blur the background and highlight the subject. Shooting is best after 4 p.m., when the light softens. Use various props to capture the model's emotions.
(Photographer: Ordinary World)
2. Aobao Tu
Aobaotu is said to be the name of a mountain village in Wulanbutong. "Tu" means a large, nearly circular hill. It's located northwest of Hongshan Military Horse Farm, about a 25-minute off-road drive away. The camera for Aobaotu is located on the hillside, requiring a 15-minute uphill hike. Aobaotu faces Jiangjun Paozi, making it a great spot for capturing sunrises and sunsets, as well as the occasional herd of cattle, sheep, and horses emerging early. Required photography equipment: a wide-angle lens and a telephoto lens.
The temperature feels lower in the morning and evening, so wear a down jacket or fleece jacket. The ground beneath Aobaotu Mountain is sandy, so rainproof hiking boots are recommended.
(Photographer: Zhang Li Vision)
You can take pictures of horses stepping on water at Jiangjun Paozi
Equipment: Telephoto lens, tripod
The shutter speed should be above 400. If you are unsure, you can use TV mode. You can increase the sensitivity appropriately but not too high. The aperture should be around 5.6. When there is a sunset, shoot both with the light and the backlight. The effect is very good. Many people ask if it is still possible to take pictures of horses stepping on water in the rain. The fact is that horses stepping on water in the rain can also be very beautiful. In the case of strong backlight, you can use local metering or spot metering with a smaller metering range.
(Photographer: longing for a low profile)
3. Ventilation ditch
Toufenggou is located in the north of Hongshan Military Horse Farm, more than 30 kilometers away. It must be accessed by off-road vehicle. The Panlong River flows through the valley bottom, leaving a beautiful ribbon, winding and twisting. There are many scenic spots where you can stop and take photos, arranged according to the direction of the sunlight.
Photographic equipment needed: wide-angle lens and telephoto lens (because there are many large scenes on the grassland and a wide-angle lens is necessary, and there is a high probability that cattle and sheep will appear on the hillside, so a telephoto lens is also necessary).
(Photographer: Lao Jia)
(Photographer: Xiangyang Landscape)
4.Nanjing
Bashang Nanjing is located in the core area of Ulanbutong at the southwestern end of Keshiketeng Banner, between Hulunori Village and Toufenggou. The scattered number of trees embellishes the vast grassland. The low houses in the depths echo the scenery. Cattle and sheep graze leisurely under the setting sun.
The photographic equipment you need to prepare: wide-angle plus telephoto. When the weather is good, the contrast between light and dark is very strong, so it is recommended that you prepare them.
(Photographer: Song Xinzi)
5. Colorful Mountain
There are many kinds of trees on Wucai Mountain. After the frost in autumn, the leaves of different tree species turn into different colors, so it is called Wucai Mountain. It is colorful and is a must-see attraction for autumn photography in Ulan Butong. Looking down from the observation deck, there is also a European-style area dotted with herds of cattle, sheep and horses.
Required photography equipment: Wide-angle plus telephoto
(Photographer: Jian_Shan)
(Photographer: Wan Zi)
6. Toad
Hamaba, located in the Huamugou Forest District of Keshiketeng Banner, is over 20 kilometers from the Hongshan Military Horse Farm. It is a gently sloping area bordered on three sides by gullies or lowlands. The hilly terrain here is unique, and the autumn scenery is vibrant. Autumn leaves blanket the mountains, a vibrant golden glow. Among the clusters of crimson leaves, bright yellow birch leaves blend seamlessly into the landscape, creating a seamless and natural scene. For photographers, this is a treasure trove of photography, a place where you never tire of capturing new moments.
Required photography equipment: wide-angle plus telephoto
(Photographer: Orange)
Ulan Butong is definitely a photography paradise worth visiting for photographers. It has hills and canyons. Whether in spring, autumn or winter, the charm it brings is unique. This is why photographers are willing to go back and forth countless times.
In addition, the starry sky in Inner Mongolia can be seen with the naked eye in autumn, so those who are interested in starry sky photography should not miss it.
