Giving up on Inner Mongolia, this place is too amazing!

No need to squeeze into Inner Mongolia, here hides free alpine meadows, white windmills, and a starry Milky Way. In July, the temperature feels like 20°C. It's just a 3.5-hour drive from Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei, with so few people you can practically rent the entire grassland. There is also a very beautiful hiking trail here, running along the uphill route of Matianling, about 14 kilometers, reaching the sky meadow at the mountain top by afternoon. You can chase many cattle and sheep here, enjoy the beautiful pine forest, and the spectacular windmill array. At night, you can choose to stay at a farmhouse in the village or camp under the stars.

Here is the rephrased itinerary:

Day 1: Enter the world of Hayao Miyazaki

Morning: Drive to Matianling (navigate to "Xiaotianshan Scenic Area," SUV recommended)
Afternoon: Hike the B route (14 km), walk through the pine forest to capture the Tyndall effect, run and take photos among the windmills, chase cattle and sheep on the grassland
Evening: Stay at a farmhouse in the village (100 RMB/night) or camp to watch the starry sky

Day 2: Own the sunrise and streams

Early morning: Climb the main peak to wait for the sea of clouds sunrise
Morning: Wade in the streams, look for stones, and search for wild mushrooms in the pine forest (ask locals how to identify them)
Noon: Taste delicious Youmian Wowo and stewed chicken with potatoes (about 50 RMB per person)
Afternoon: Return trip, with a visit to the nearby beautiful Meijing Tea Mountain (1-hour drive, the cliff sea of clouds there is stunning)

Travel-related transportation and tips:

Self-driving: From Beijing, Tianjin, Shijiazhuang, it takes about 3.5 hours by car. The mountain roads are narrow, please drive slowly.

Essentials: Thin down jacket (for cooler mornings and evenings), sunscreen, trash bags (no trash bins along the way).

Avoid pitfalls: Do not go on rainy days because the roads are slippery and foggy. Wear non-slip shoes.

This summer, the free, beautiful, and cool Matianling will surely captivate you. Don’t hesitate, come and experience it!