Ulan Butong Secret Journey: A Complete Guide to the Grassland's Four Seasons

🏞️《Ulan Butong Secret Journey: A Complete Guide to the Grassland's Four Seasons》

Located in Chifeng, Inner Mongolia, Ulan Butong is the nearest grassland tourist area to Beijing. It boasts the historical heritage of a royal pasture and has served as a filming location for TV dramas like "My Fair Princess" and "Emperor Wu of Han." How to explore this 2,400-square-kilometer pristine paradise? This guide will reveal all.

🚗【3-Day In-Depth Itinerary】
D1 Sunrise at Film & TV Base - Horseback Riding in European Scenic Area - Sunset at General's Lake
D2 Sketching at Princess Lake - Hiking in Panlong Gorge - Visiting a Mongolian Family
D3 Photography at Hamaba - Birch Forest in Huamugou - Bonfire Party

📸【Four Must-See Wonders】
1. Legend of General's Lake: Ancient battlefield site of Kangxi's war against Galdan, with morning mist creating oil-painting-like reflections
2. Princess Lake's Tears: Said to be the heartbreak site of Princess Lanqi, surrounded by golden foliage in autumn
3. Hamaba's Light & Shadow: A photographer's paradise, with ever-changing September scenes of livestock crossing hills
4. Toufeng Valley Sunrise: Rosy-golden hues paint the ravines when shrouded in morning mist

🍖 Food Radar:
✔️ Mengheta Ranch Restaurant: Freshly roasted lamb leg with wild onions, ¥80/person for a full meal
✔️ Homemade dairy products: Try fermented mare's milk and fried rice with yogurt
⚠️ Warning: So-called "wild mushroom soup" in scenic areas often uses dried ingredients

💰 Budget Reference (2 people, 3 days):
¥120/person for all-attraction pass + ¥600 accommodation (yurt + inn) + ¥450 meals + ¥400 off-road car rental ≈ ¥1600 total

📌 Must-Read Tips:
1. Best seasons: July-August for cool escape (18-25°C), late September-early October for autumn colors
2. Transport: 6-hour drive from Beijing or take bus to Weichang then local chartered car
3. Special gear: UV sunglasses, mosquito repellent, offline maps
4. Cultural taboos: Don't step on ovoo stones; dip ring finger in liquor and flick three times when toasting

📷 Photographer's Secrets:
• Arrive 1 hour before sunrise with tripod
• Use polarizing filter to enhance sky-grass contrast
• Capture dynamic silhouettes of livestock at watering holes