Chifeng Must-Visit: The Four Seasons Splendor of Ulan Butong Grassland
by Calm Evelyn~Price98
Apr 21, 2025
🔥 While the rest of China bakes in "steaming mode", Inner Mongolia hides a natural "3D air conditioner"❄️! Here, grasslands and deserts perform a cooling duet🌾🏜️: from Hulunbuir's 22°C emerald waves to Alxa's starry desert nights; from the bone-chilling springs of Greater Khingan Mountains to Xilingol's millennium-old volcanic ice cellars... These 6 summer paradises let you plunge into 15°C wilderness coolness during 30°C midsummer!
🌿 6 Must-Visit Summer Treasures in Inner Mongolia
1. Hulunbuir · Morin Dawa River & Ergun Wetland
- Coolness Index: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (18°C average on grasslands, wetland breezes drop perceived temp by 15°C!)
- Why Go: At Morin Dawa's viewpoint, the winding river resembles jade ribbons🌊, while grassy winds feel like nature's hair dryer! Ergun Wetland's tundra ponds are natural ice packs🧊. Enjoy well-chilled Russian bread in Enhe's wooden houses, wrapped in quilts to balalaika music!
- Experiences: Milk cows to make ice cream🥛, drink birch sap in white birch forests, feast on Russian sausages with iced kvass, then sleep under galaxies in yurts🌌!
2. Xing'an League · Arxan National Forest Park
- Coolness Index: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (16°C forest average, 7°C mineral springs - one sip shocks you awake!)
- Why Go: Camel Peak Lake's volcanic mist creates fairyland views🌫️! Drink glacial water from Three Pools Gorge🧊. The "Never-Freezing River" stays icy in summer❄️ - dare to try mineral spring "ice baths" at Wuli Spring!
- Experiences: Feed deer moss ice cream🦌, raft down Halaha River, pair wild veggie buns with iced blueberry juice, then stay in forest cabins experiencing "fire and ice"🔥❄️!
3. Xilingol · Ulagai Grassland & Volcanic Geopark
- Coolness Index: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (20°C average, but -5°C in volcanic ice cellars!)
- Why Go: Horse-riding through 10°C Ulagai Lake waves🐎. Genghis Khan's Bulun Spring is too cold to touch! Most incredible? Wulanhada Volcano's year-round ice cave❄️ - even with down jackets, it's like "grassland Antarctica"!
- Experiences: Photograph glowing wolf eyes🦊, snack frozen milk curds in craters with seabuckthorn ice wine, then stargaze from container hotels🌌!
4. Chifeng · Hexigten Banner (Asihatu Stone Forest & Dali Lake)
- Coolness Index: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (17°C plateau average, lake winds feel like icy needles!)
- Why Go: Asihatu's glacial potholes form icicles🥶! Chase swans on Dali Lake - splashes instantly refresh! Xar Moron Canyon's crevice winds out-blow AC❄️!
- Experiences: Paraglide over grasslands🪂, watch "ice waves" during fish migration, munch crispy "duijia" with almond tofu, then warm up with dung-fueled fires in yurts🔥!
5. Ordos · Resonant Sand Bay & Engger Desert
- Coolness Index: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Perfect desert water fun by day, 15°C at night!)
- Why Go: Lotus Hotel's stellar views✨ require down jackets at midnight! Play water gun battles at Xiangshawan's desert pools🔫. Engger's oases offer iced licorice tea by cold springs.
- Experiences: Sunset camel rides🐫, desert karaoke with ice beer🍻, whole lamb feasts with seabuckthorn slushies, then sleep under domed skylights🌌!
6. Alxa · Tengger Desert's Moon Lake & Helan Mountain South Temple
- Coolness Index: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (12°C at mountain temples, desert islands chill to the bone!)
- Why Go: South Temple's yak meadow trail leads to snowy peaks❄️! Moon Lake dune bashing ends with refreshing plunges. Guangzong Temple's cellar stores ice-cold wine🍷 amid chanting winds!
- Experiences: Plant trees for certificates🌳, drink eight-treasure tea while rock painting, pair camel meat pies with icy cynomorium wine, then sleep in star-gazing tents🌪️.
💡 Pro Tips for Inner Mongolia Summer
✅ Packing:
- Grassland/Desert: Sun jacket + fleece (20°C day-night swings❄️)
- Volcanoes/Mountains: Windbreaker + hiking boots
- Photo Ops: Mongolian robes + riding boots (100% insta-worthy!)
✅ Transport:
- East Loop: Hailar→Manzhouli self-drive (every roadside shot is wallpaper!)🚗
- West Adventure: Enter Alxa from Yinchuan (SUVs recommended for deserts)🏜️
✅ Iced Food Trail:
- East: Ice-boiled lamb + wild chive sauce🐏
- West: Camel paw jelly + ice-mixed sand onions🦘
- Must-try: Frozen yogurt with fried rice - mind-blowing!🥛
✅ Hidden Gems:
- Hulunbuir: Feed reindeer moss ice cream🦌
- Arxan: Hunt for 3am mineral springs (icicle water tastes sweetest!)
- Tengger: Mail chilled postcards from desert post office (special stamps included!)
🌿 Inner Mongolian summer means Morin Dawa's grassy breezes, Arxan's throat-freezing springs, and desert nights watching your breath fog under blankets... This northern wonderland even makes breathing feel like opening a freezer - come experience nature's ultimate AC! ❄️
Post by MysticRiver888888 | Jun 19, 2025














