Keshiketeng in Golden Autumn October is so beautiful

Okay, no problem! Here's a customized 4-day, 3-night budget self-driving tour guide for your family of three, departing from Balinzuo Banner, Chifeng City, to Keshiketeng Banner (hereinafter referred to as "Keqi").

Balinzuo Banner → Keshiketeng Banner: A 4-Day, 3-Night Budget Self-Driving Tour Guide for a Family of Three

Core Idea: Deeply experience grasslands and geological wonders, focusing on free natural scenery, choosing budget hotels and guesthouses for accommodation, and balancing local specialties with affordability for dining.

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I. Itinerary

Day 1: Depart from Zuo Banner → Cross Huanggangliang → Arrive at Reshuitang Town

· Morning (8:00 AM): Depart from your home in Balinzuo Banner, set your navigation to "Reshuitang Town, Keshiketeng Banner." Key: Choose a route that passes through "Huanggangliang" (e.g., via G303, Re'a Line). Huanggangliang National Forest Park is free to traverse, and the scenery along the way—forests, meadows, and windmills—is absolutely stunning, a scenic highlight in itself.
· Noon (around 12:30 PM): Find an open, safe grassy area along the way for a picnic. Buy bread, deli meats, fruits, and drinks in Zuo Banner beforehand – it's economical and fun.
· Afternoon (around 2:30 PM): Continue through Huanggangliang, enjoying the scenery, taking photos, and then arrive at Reshuitang Town, famous for its hot springs.
· Afternoon (4:00 PM): Check into your pre-booked budget hotel or guesthouse in Reshuitang Town (many hotels pipe hot spring water directly into rooms; you can inquire).
· Evening (7:00 PM): Find a restaurant in town for dinner and try Mongolian specialties like hand-torn lamb, milk tea, and milk tofu (order one or two to experience, to avoid overspending).
· Activity: Soak away the day's travel fatigue in the hotel's hot spring pool, recharging for the next leg of your journey.
· Accommodation: Reshuitang Town budget hotel

Day 2: Arshat Stone Forest → Baiyin Aobao Sandy Spruce Forest → Dali Lake

· Morning (8:30 AM): After breakfast, drive to Arshat Stone Forest (admission approximately 140 RMB/person, the largest ticket expense of this trip, but worth it). This is a world-class granite stone forest with incredibly stunning scenery. Allow about 3-4 hours for the visit.
· Noon (1:00 PM): Have a simple lunch outside the Stone Forest scenic area, or eat your packed dry food.
· Afternoon (3:00 PM): Drive to Baiyin Aobao Sandy Spruce Forest (admission approximately 50 RMB/person). This is home to the world's only pristine sandy spruce forest, with a unique ecosystem. If your budget is tight, you can experience it from the periphery.
· Afternoon (5:00 PM): Head to Dali Lake. Note: The south shore of Dali Lake is the main entrance to the scenic area, and tickets are quite expensive. We can choose to go to Zhunzi Mountain on the north shore or near Darhan Fishing Village, where you can enjoy free distant views of the lake and magnificent sunsets; the scenery is equally stunning.
· Evening (7:30 PM): Have dinner in a town near Dali Lake or return to Jingpeng Town.
· Accommodation: Jingpeng Town budget hotel (as the capital of Keqi, there are many options and good value for money)

Day 3: Xilamulun Grand Canyon → In-depth Grassland Experience

· Morning (9:00 AM): After breakfast, head to Xilamulun Grand Canyon (free). This is the canyon area of the "Grandmother River," Xilamulun River, with its winding curves and magnificent scenery. You can drive to the observation deck for photos.
· Noon (12:00 PM): On the way to the grasslands, find a herdsman's home or agritainment restaurant to experience an authentic Mongolian meal; prices are usually more affordable than in scenic areas.
· Afternoon (2:00 PM): Free exploration of the grasslands. Keqi's grasslands offer beautiful scenery everywhere, no specific scenic spots needed. Drive along the grassland roads (e.g., Dada Line), and whenever you encounter herds of cattle and sheep or beautiful pastures, you can safely pull over and let the children run, play, and take photos to their heart's content. This is the most free and precious experience.
· Evening (6:00 PM): Return to Jingpeng Town for accommodation. For dinner, you can try local snacks like 'Duijia' (Chifeng's special Chinese hamburger) and lamb offal soup in town, which are economical and delicious.
· Accommodation: Jingpeng Town budget hotel

Day 4: Qingshan Rock Basins → Pleasant Return Journey

· Morning (8:30 AM): After breakfast, check out and head to Qingshan Scenic Area (admission approximately 120 RMB/person). Here you'll find magical glacial relics—rock basins, like giant stone pots scattered across the mountaintop. Take the cable car (included in the ticket) up the mountain for excellent views.
· Noon (12:30 PM): Have lunch near Qingshan Scenic Area or return to Jingpeng Town.
· Afternoon (2:00 PM): Pack up and begin the return journey to Balinzuo Banner. Along the way, you can reminisce about the wonderful experiences of the past few days.
· Afternoon (around 5:00 PM): Arrive home in Balinzuo Banner, concluding your pleasant trip to Keqi.

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II. Cost Budget (Budget-Friendly)

Below is an estimated total cost for a family of three for the entire trip, with children's tickets calculated at half price or free:

1. Transportation Costs (approx. 800 - 1000 RMB)

· Fuel: Total mileage approx. 800-1000 km. Calculated based on an SUV's 9 liters/100 km fuel consumption and 92gasoline at 8 RMB/liter: 9 * 10 * 8 ≈ 720 RMB
· Tolls/Road Fees: Mainly national highways, so this cost is low, approx. 100 RMB
· Parking Fees: Approx. 50 RMB at various scenic spots

2. Accommodation Costs (3 nights) (approx. 450 - 600 RMB)

· Budget hotel/guesthouse, calculated at 150-200 RMB per night: 3 nights * 180 RMB/night ≈ 540 RMB

3. Dining Costs (approx. 750 - 900 RMB)

· Three meals a day, based on budget standards:
· Breakfast: Simple, 30 RMB/day for three people * 4 days = 120 RMB
· Lunch & Dinner: Main meals 80-120 RMB per meal * 7 meals = approx. 700 RMB
· Snacks & Drinks: approx. 100 RMB
· Total approx.: 920 RMB

4. Attraction Tickets (approx. 450 - 600 RMB) - [Main controllable variable]

· Arshat Stone Forest: 140 RMB/person * 2 = 280 RMB (if child is half price due to height, add 70 RMB)
· Qingshan Rock Basins: 120 RMB/person * 2 = 240 RMB (if child is half price due to height, add 60 RMB)
· Baiyin Aobao: 50 RMB/person * 2 = 100 RMB (optional, can be saved if not visited)
· Strategy: If choosing only one premium paid attraction, Arshat Stone Forest is recommended. Otherwise, focus on free scenic spots.
· Most economical option (only Arshat Stone Forest): 280 RMB
· Regular option (Arshat Stone Forest + Qingshan): 520 RMB

5. Other Miscellaneous Expenses (approx. 200 RMB)

· Hot spring fees (if not free at the hotel), souvenir purchases, emergency medicine, etc.

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Estimated Total Cost for a Family of Three for Four Days:

· Extreme Budget Version (only 1 core paid attraction, strict control over dining): 900 (transportation) + 500 (accommodation) + 800 (dining) + 300 (tickets) + 200 (miscellaneous) = approx. 2700 RMB
· Regular Budget Version (2 core paid attractions): 900 (transportation) + 550 (accommodation) + 900 (dining) + 550 (tickets) + 200 (miscellaneous) = approx. 3100 RMB

It is recommended to set the total budget between 3000 - 3500 RMB, which allows you to enjoy the highlights without being too constrained.

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III. Helpful Tips

1. Clothing Preparation: Grassland weather is changeable, with large temperature differences between day and night. Even in summer, prepare long-sleeved jackets and long pants. Sun protection clothing, sun hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen are essential.
2. Vehicle Preparation: Check your car's condition before departure, especially the tires. Grassland roads are generally good, but do not easily drive off-road into pastures to avoid getting stuck or damaging the grassland.
3. Food Supplies: Purchase plenty of water, snacks, and convenient food at large supermarkets in Zuo Banner or Jingpeng Town for picnics and replenishment along the way.
4. Respect Local Customs: Do not drive over grasslands indiscriminately, keep a distance from herdsmen's cattle and sheep, and respect local customs.
5. Navigation and Signal: Signal can be weak in some grassland areas, so download offline maps in advance.
Wishing you a pleasant journey and many wonderful memories!