"Chifeng Fish Lantern Parade: Intangible Cultural Heritage Illuminates the 'Night Economy'"

Located in eastern Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Chifeng boasts diverse landscapes including grasslands, deserts, lakes, and stone forests, offering both magnificent natural scenery and profound cultural heritage.

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**Must-Visit Attractions in Chifeng**
**1. Ulan Butong Grassland**
- 💖**Highlights**: Former Qing Dynasty royal hunting ground and filming location for TV dramas like "Kangxi Dynasty" and "My Fair Princess," renowned for its "southern elegance and northern grandeur."
- 💖**Activities**: Horseback riding through birch forests, off-road adventures, bonfire parties, and stargazing camping.
- 💖**Best Time**: June-September (lush green grass), late September to early October (stunning autumn colors).

**2. Arxan Stone Forest**
- **Highlights**: A granite stone forest formed by glacial remnants, known as the "Wonder of Heavenly Script," featuring unique rock formations like "Nine Fairies" and "Sky Pillar."
- ❤️**Activities**: Hiking, photography (best light at dawn or dusk), and sightseeing by shuttle bus.

**3. Yulong Sand Lake**
💗- **Highlights**: A rare coexistence of desert and lake, offering camel rides, desert off-roading, sand sliding, and stargazing camping.
-💗 **Activities**: Camel trekking across dunes, desert surfing, and lakeside stargazing.

**4. Dalinuoer Lake**
-❤️ **Highlights**: Inner Mongolia's second-largest inland lake and a migratory stop for birds (watch swans in April-May and demoiselle cranes in October).
-❤️ **Activities**: Speedboat tours, birdwatching, and tasting the local "Huazi Fish Banquet."

**5. Hexigten Global Geopark**
-💗 **Highlights**: Features ten landforms including glaciers, volcanoes, and canyons, dubbed the "Geological Encyclopedia."
- ❤️**Activities**: Hiking Huanggangliang, exploring glacial potholes, and hot spring baths.

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**Classic Itineraries**
**1. 3-Day Highlights Tour**
- 💗**Day1**: Chifeng city → Yulong Sand Lake (desert experience) → Stay in Wengniute Banner
-❤️ **Day2**: Ulan Butong Grassland (horseback riding, film sites) → Stay in a Mongolian yurt
- ❤️**Day3**: Arxan Stone Forest → Return.

**2. 5-Day In-Depth Tour**
- ❤️**Day1**: Chifeng Museum → Hongshan Cultural Site → Stay in city
❤️- **Day2**: Yulong Sand Lake → Stay in Wengniute Banner
💗- **Day3**: Ulan Butong Grassland → Stay in grassland
- 💗**Day4**: Dalinuoer Lake → Stay in Hexigten Banner
- ❤️**Day5**: Arxan Stone Forest → Return.

**3. Self-Drive Route: Dada Line**
- ❤️**Route**: Arxan Stone Forest → Gongger Grassland → Dalinuoer Lake
- **Highlights**: Known as the "Most Beautiful North Border Scenic Road," featuring grasslands, rivers, and herds of livestock, perfect for photography.

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**Food Recommendations**
- 💗**Hand-Grabbed Mutton**: Boiled mutton served with wild leek flower sauce, retaining its original flavor.
- *💗*Chifeng Dui Jia**: Crispy baked buns stuffed with smoked meat, dubbed the "Chinese hamburger."
- 😊**Roast Whole Lamb**: A grassland feast, crispy outside and tender inside.
-❤️ **Huazi Fish**: A specialty of Dalinuoer Lake, served steamed, fried, or as a whole fish banquet.
- ❤️**Mongolian Salted Milk Tea**: Paired with fried rice and dried milk curd, a traditional breakfast.

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**Accommodation Recommendations**
- *❤️*Grassland Mongolian Yurts**: Located in Ulan Butong scenic area, opt for modernized yurts with private bathrooms.
- ❤️**Desert Container Hotels**: Near Yulong Sand Lake, offering hot springs and stargazing.
- *🦋*City Hotels**: Near Chifeng Wanda Plaza for convenient transportation.

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**Travel Tips**
1. *❤️*Transportation**: Self-driving or chartered SUVs (around ¥600/day) are recommended due to scattered attractions.
2. *❤️*Weather Prep**: Large temperature differences between day and night; bring a light down jacket even in summer. Strong UV rays require sun protection.
3. *❤️*Best Seasons**: June-September (best grasslands), late September to early October (autumn scenery), winter (snowscapes).
4. *❤️*Photography Tips**: Sunrise and sunset offer the best lighting; bring a tripod and polarizing filter.

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Chifeng combines the vastness of grasslands, the grandeur of deserts, and the wonder of stone forests, making it an unmissable destination in northern China.