Northwest Grassland Horse Riding Guide: Secret of Shandan Military Horse Farm

1. Introduction to Shandan Military Horse Farm

• Location: Southern Shandan County, Zhangye City, Gansu Province (north foothills of Qilian Mountains), about 400 km from Lanzhou City and 100 km from Zhangye City center.

• Historical Background: Established in the Western Han Dynasty, one of Asia's largest and oldest military horse farms, once a place where General Huo Qubing stationed troops and raised horses.

• Features: Vast grasslands, herds of fine horses, magnificent scenery of snow-capped mountains and lakes, summer rapeseed flower sea (July-August), golden pasture in autumn (September-October).

2. How to Get There

1. Major Transportation:

◦ Airplane: Fly to Lanzhou Zhongchuan Airport or Zhangye Ganzhou Airport, then transfer by car.

◦ Train: Lanzhou/Xining → Zhangye West Station (high-speed train about 2-3 hours), then charter a car or take a shuttle bus to the horse farm (about 2 hours).

2. Local Transportation:

◦ Self-driving: Zhangye → G30 Lianhuo Expressway → Shandan County → S315 Provincial Road → Military Horse Farm (good road conditions, beautiful scenery along the way).

◦ Shuttle Bus: Zhangye East Bus Station → Shandan County → transfer to rural bus to the horse farm (limited schedules, recommend checking in advance).

◦ Charter/Carpool: Round trip charter from Zhangye city center costs about 400-600 RMB (negotiable).

3. Core Attractions and Experiences

1. Main Areas:

◦ First Farm (Old Military Horse Farm): Location of the visitor center, well-equipped facilities, concentrated horse riding experiences.

◦ Second Farm: More pristine, suitable for in-depth photography and hiking.

◦ Kulong Gorge: Canyon streams and forest scenery, a summer resort to escape the heat.

◦ Luanniao Lake: Snow mountain reflections, migratory bird habitat, excellent spots for sunrise and sunset photography.

2. Must-try Activities:

◦ Horse Riding: About 100-200 RMB/hour (negotiable), recommended in early morning or evening to avoid the strong sun.

◦ Grassland Hiking/Camping: Walk along herding paths, encounter marmots and yak herds (environmental protection advised).

◦ Photography: Summer rapeseed fields, autumn golden pastures, winter snowfields (drone use requires prior approval).

◦ Stargazing: No light pollution at night, clear Milky Way visible (dress warmly).

4. Accommodation Recommendations

1. Inside the Horse Farm:

◦ Shandan Military Horse Farm Hotel: Simple conditions but convenient location, standard rooms about 200-300 RMB/night.

◦ Herdsman Inn: Homestay style, experience nomadic life, reservation required.

2. Nearby Options:

◦ Shandan County Town: More hotel choices (e.g., Aili International Hotel), about 1 hour drive from the horse farm.

◦ Camping: Confirm site availability in advance, low night temperatures (bring down sleeping bags).

5. Practical Tips

1. Best Seasons:

◦ June-August: Grasslands lush and green, wildflowers blooming, temperatures 15-25°C (great summer retreat).

◦ September-October: Colorful autumn, fewer tourists, ideal for photography.

◦ Winter (November-March): Stunning snow scenes, but inconvenient transportation and some facilities closed.

2. Tickets and Fees:

◦ Entrance Fee: About 65 RMB/person (includes First Farm, Luanniao Lake, and other spots).

◦ Horse riding, off-road vehicles, and other activities charged separately (prices negotiable).

3. Precautions:

◦ Altitude Sickness: Elevation about 2500-3000 meters, generally no altitude sickness, avoid strenuous exercise.

◦ Sun and Cold Protection: Strong UV rays, bring sunglasses and sunscreen; large temperature difference between day and night, bring windproof jackets.

◦ Respect Local Customs: Grasslands are privately owned by herders, do not trespass or drive away livestock.

◦ Environmental Protection: Take your trash with you, do not pick plants.

6. Suggested Itinerary (2-3 days)

• Day 1: Zhangye → Shandan Military Horse Farm (arrive in afternoon) → Luanniao Lake sunset → stay at the horse farm.

• Day 2: Early morning horse riding → Kulong Gorge hiking → rapeseed fields/grassland photography → night stargazing.

• Day 3: Visit Second Farm → return to Zhangye (or extend to other Qilian Mountain attractions).

7. Nearby Attractions

• Zhangye Danxia: Colorful Danxia Scenic Area (1.5 hours by car).

• Biandukou: Extension of Qinghai Menyuan rapeseed flower sea (best in July).

• Matisi Temple: Tibetan Buddhist holy site combining grottoes and snow mountains.

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Shandan Military Horse Farm is ideal for travelers seeking nature and tranquility. Plan your trip in advance and pay attention to the weather to fully enjoy the pure beauty of this "Silk Road Green Gem"!