Day 1 Across the country → Chifeng
All day
Take high-speed rail or plane to Chifeng and meet at the hotel.
Chifeng Culture represents a regional culture representing the fusion of diverse civilizations in northern China, named for the rich cultural heritage within Chifeng City, Inner Mongolia. Its core is the Hongshan Culture, dating back approximately 8,000 to 5,000 years. Sacrificial remains, exemplified by the Niuheliang site, reveal China's earliest ritual system of altars, temples, and tombs. The C-shaped jade dragon is the original prototype of the Chinese dragon totem. As a key stronghold south of the desert, Chifeng witnessed the profound interaction between nomadic and agricultural civilizations. This overlapping cultural landscape has formed a unique "cultural stratification zone" in the Xiliaohe River Basin, highlighting the diverse and integrated development of Chinese civilization.
Day 2 Chifeng → Keshiketeng Banner → Qingshan Ice Morus → Afternoon Tea on the Mountaintop → Ulan Butong
·morning
Hiking Information
Hiking route: Qingshan Glacier;
Hiking distance: about 10KM;
Hiking time: about 4 hours;
Meal information: Bring your own appropriate meals for the trip;
Luggage Information: Travel light and carry only the essentials for the day of hiking.
After breakfast, we set off by car for the Qingshan Glacier, deep within the Keshiketeng Banner grasslands and nestled in the eastern Yinshan Mountains. The glaciers here bear witness to Quaternary glacial relics, while rock paintings featuring deer and hunting scenes attest to the ancient beliefs of northern peoples. There are no cookie-cutter man-made attractions or prescriptive commercial receptions here. Upon arrival, we gathered our gear and began our hike.
·afternoon
After a short rest after lunch, we continued our journey, walking among a rare group of glacial moulins, resembling works of art sculpted by time. The peaks and rocks are lifelike, creating a natural rock museum. The rarely visited Daqing Mountain, with its diverse vegetation and picturesque scenery throughout the year, is a paradise for flora and fauna. China-TravelNote specially arranged a mountaintop afternoon tea amidst the sparse forests and meadows surrounded by the unique rocks. Seasonal fruits and Inner Mongolian snacks added a touch of joy to this unforgettable hike.
After the hike, we will proceed to the Ulan Butong Grassland for check-in.
·night
After a short rest, everyone is free to explore the flavors of the grassland and enjoy dinner. After dinner, everyone can go for a leisurely stroll together to feel the tranquility of the grassland, or play cards and board games to share each other's happiness.
Day 3: Full-day in-depth cycling
·morning
【Cycling Reference Information】
Cycling route: full-day in-depth cycling (if you don't ride a horse, you can choose to cross the country by off-road vehicle);
Hiking time: 6-7 hours;
Meal information: It is recommended to bring your own meals;
Luggage Information: Travel light and carry only the essentials for the day of hiking.
After breakfast, we'll head to the horse ranch for our full-day in-depth horseback riding experience. Ulan Butong, once the royal pasture where Qing emperors roamed, boasts a breathtaking grassland aesthetic and is a photographer's paradise, with any angle evoking a Windows desktop. Our instructor will explain precautions and provide some instruction on horse harnesses and handling before we begin our ride.
Deep in the grassland, we are almost separated from modern civilization. There is no internet, only wilderness. On the undulating hilly grassland, apart from the blue sky and white clouds, there are only the sound of wind and horses. Sometimes it is so quiet that we can only hear our own heartbeat and the horse's. Here we completely empty ourselves, get along with nature, and reconcile with ourselves.
At noon, we will choose a beautiful spot, set up a tent, and enjoy a meal of authentic grassland hot pot. The rich milky aroma will instantly ignite your taste buds, and you will deeply feel the joy of eating on the grassland.
·afternoon
We continued our wild ride under the sky, traversing forests and meadows. The hillsides were blanketed in a sea of flowers stretching to the horizon, as if we had entered a Hayao Miyazaki fairytale. As we progressed, riding became a real pleasure, allowing us to let our imaginations wander freely, just following the path. We passed the Hunshandake Sandy Land, where riding on the sand felt like riding across the vast, yellow sandy desert from the film Ashes of Time. A cup of nomadic coffee awakened our thoughts, and we watched the clouds roll and the flowers bloom and fade in the slow, unhurried moments. After our revelry, we returned to the stables.
·night
For dinner, we enjoyed roasted whole lamb and lamb leg. As dusk bathed the undulating grass of Ulan Butong, the iron grill crackled with a crisp sound. Old Bater used a horsehair brush to apply scallion oil, rubbing the lambskin until it gradually shone amber. A sprinkle of special seasoning lingered on the meat, leaving a lingering fragrance and a truly nourishing aroma. At this moment, even the breeze on the grassland carried a gentle, meaty aroma.
Day 4: Ulan Butong → Private Pasture Grassland → Ewenki Reindeer Tribe → Chengde
·morning
Hiking Information
Hiking route: Private ranch;
Hiking distance: about 10KM;
Hiking time: 3-4 hours;
Meal information: It is recommended to bring your own meals;
Luggage Information: Travel light and carry only the essentials for the day of hiking.
After breakfast, we'll set off for our 10km light hike through the grasslands at the Private Ranch. This unique and unique hiking route, curated by the D family, offers a completely different and unique hiking experience. With our vehicle escorting us throughout the hike, we'll pass by riverside wildflowers, listen to the whispers of the forest wind, and experience the D family's memories of the grasslands, with blue skies, verdant grass, white clouds, and the river.
·afternoon
After lunch, following Chi Zijian's story "The Right Bank of the Ergun River," we journeyed to the Aoluguya Evenki people, a reindeer tribe deep in the grasslands. They are China's only minority group dedicated to reindeer breeding. Their ancestors migrated from the Lena River in Russia 400 years ago, constantly on the move to feed these delicate deer. Reindeer disdain ordinary grasses, preferring a unique type of moss. It's said that offering reindeer their beloved moss will captivate these voracious eaters, as if under a spell, following you intently, as if to say, "Give me more!"
·night
Return to Chengde by bus in the evening
Day 5 Chengde → Capital Airport
All day
After breakfast, we'll gather and depart for Beijing Capital Airport/Beijing South Railway Station. We'll disband at approximately 1:00 PM at Beijing Capital Airport and 2:00 PM at Beijing South Railway Station before returning home. Thank you for the wonderful five days; every moment is unforgettable. We look forward to seeing you again next time.
