[2025 Hexigten Banner Hotels] Travel Guide for Moshanghuakai Inn (Updated Jul)

🌄 Trip Highlights: ✅ Capture epic shots of horses splashing through misty waters at General's Lake at dawn, with telephoto lenses highlighting the herdsmen's majestic crossing ✅ Photograph sunset over the undulating hills at Hamaba, where fences and sheep flocks form natural picture frames ✅ Off-road through Panlong Canyon, fording streams and climbing sandy slopes for a "grassland rollercoaster" experience ✅ Take forest-themed portraits at Princess Lake's birch groves, cycling around the lake to discover filming locations from "My Fair Princess" ✅ Camp under starry skies with visible Milky Way, using professional tripods for long-exposure astrophotography 🚗 Transportation Guide: ✈️ External Transport: • Fly to Chengde Puning Airport then charter a car (4hrs/¥600), or drive 6hrs from Beijing (SUV recommended for bumpy roads) • Traffic Tip: July-August detour route: Navigate to Mulan Autumn Hunting Cultural Park → Caimushan Expressway Exit → Ulan Butong 🚌 Local Transport: • Off-road tours: ¥600/day (includes guide), ideal for exploring hidden valleys like Toufenggou and Donggou • Shuttle buses: ¥10/person from Red Mountain Ranch to General's Lake, with frequent departures covering key sites 📅 3-Day Itinerary: 🌅 Day1: Classic Landmarks & Morning Mist • Dawn: Arrive at 【General's Lake】 before 5:30am for telephoto shots of herdsmen driving horses through misty waters (wear windbreakers) • Morning: Explore 【Ulan Butong Film Studio】, hike to European-style grassland area for wide-angle shots of grazing livestock • Lunch: Try hand-grabbed mutton (with leek flower sauce) and sand onion omelet at 【Bate's Mongolian Restaurant】 (¥60/person) • Afternoon: Cycle around 【Princess Lake】 (¥30/hr), photograph birch forest portraits, capture sunset reflections • Evening: Stay at 【Moshang Blossom B&B】, join bonfire party (¥80/person) with roast lamb and fermented mare's milk 🌅 Day2: Off-Road Exploration & Sunset Fever • Full-day: Rent 4WD (¥600) to traverse 【Panlong Canyon】, crossing streams and sandy slopes, photograph livestock in Donggou Valley • Key: Reach 【Hamaba】 (¥30 ticket) by 4pm, use fences as foreground for sunset shots with compressed perspective • Dusk: Stop at 【Colorful Mountain】 (best in September) for transitional grassland-forest landscapes • Night: Camp under stars (¥200/tent), photograph Milky Way at Yulong Sand Lake with recommended settings: ISO3200, F2.8, 30s exposure 🌅 Day3: Cultural Immersion & Return • Morning: Horseback riding (¥100/lap) with Red Mountain Ranch instructors, learn reins control • Lunch: Savor Mongolian milk tea and cheese at 【Grassland Red Restaurant】, buy beef jerky souvenirs (¥50/jin) • Afternoon: Visit 【Hundred Grass Aobao】 for hada offering ritual, learn Mongolian worship traditions • Return: Drive back via Yudaokou Ranch, stop at 【Moon Lake】 for final grassland shots, avoid Saihanba traffic ⚠️ Pro Tips: 1️⃣ July-August traffic control: Avoid congestion between Mechanical Forest Farm and Red Mountain Ranch before 7am or detour via Caimushan Expressway 2️⃣ Horse safety: Choose docile horses, wear helmets, avoid sudden movements 3️⃣ Dining: Skip suspiciously cheap group meals, opt for herder-run restaurants (like Bate's) 4️⃣ Weather: Pack windbreakers + sun protection; avoid muddy roads after rain 5️⃣ Shopping: Bargain 30%-50% for handicrafts, buy agate products in Duolun County for better value 🏨 Accommodation: 📍 Luxury: 【Ulan Butong Kailin Resort】 with private grassland views and astrophotography guidance 📍 Budget: 【Fengxing Seasons Hotel】 near Red Mountain Ranch with dining access 📍 Unique: 【Geek Homestay】 offering Nordic design + grassland afternoon tea with photography services 🍜 Food Map: ✅ Must-try: Hand-grabbed mutton, grilled lamb chops, Mongolian pastries, sand onion omelet ✅ Food streets: Red Mountain Ranch food alley, Duolun Naoer night market ✅ Souvenirs: Grassland beef jerky, Zhenglanqi milk skin, Duolun agate pendants 📸 Photography Tips: 1️⃣ General's Lake mist: Arrive before 5:30am, use ND filters for long-exposure horse motion shots 2️⃣ Hamaba sunset: Secure spot by 4pm, use fences/boardwalks as foregrounds 3️⃣ Rea Highway: Wear bright colors, shoot low-angle S-curves with grassland backdrop 4️⃣ Astro: Tripod with ISO3200, F2.8, 30s exposure, post-process with stacking 💰 Budget (per person): • Transport: ¥800 roundtrip from Beijing (fuel+tolls) + ¥200/day off-road rental • Lodging: ¥600 for 2 nights (mid-range) • Tickets: ¥120 (Ulan Butong) + ¥30 (Hamaba) + ¥100 (horseback) • Food: ¥150/day ≈ ¥1800-2200 total This summer, escape urban chaos to Ulan Butong's grasslands where starry skies and ever-changing light create magic in northern China's paradise!

"In Ulan Butong, as the first gentle rays of dawn caress the grasslands, I wake from my dreams with a heart full of love for this land. Here, not only are there magnificent natural landscapes, but also a hidden gem of a boutique inn—Ulan Butong Flowers Bloom by the Path. 🌿🌄 🌟 Perfect Blend of Modernity and Nature 🏡 Stepping into Flowers Bloom by the Path, you’ll be captivated by its modern and minimalist design, where every detail reflects the designer’s ingenuity. The bright and spacious lobby seems to whisper that all travel fatigue will melt away here. And the views outside the window—whether it’s the morning dew or the evening glow—will make you fall in love instantly. 🐎 Gallop on Horseback, Feel the Freedom of the Grasslands 🚀 Here, you can experience authentic grassland life. Pull on your riding boots, mount a spirited horse, and gallop freely across the vast plains. The wind rushing past your ears makes you feel as if you’re flying. If you’re lucky, you might even witness the spectacular sight of herders guiding their flocks—a moment when all worries seem to vanish into thin air. 🔥 Bonfire Party, Songs Under the Night Sky 🎉 Evenings at Flowers Bloom by the Path have their own unique charm. Gather around the bonfire, share stories with friends from all corners of the world, or dance to lively music. Look up at the starry sky, and you’ll realize this is the closest place to the stars. 🍽️ Exquisite Breakfast to Start a Beautiful Day 🍳 Of course, beyond the stunning scenery and exciting activities, the breakfast here is unforgettable. The buffet table is laden with a fusion of Chinese, Western, and Mongolian dishes—whether it’s the nutritious and wholesome porridge or the uniquely flavored Mongolian barbecue, your taste buds will be delighted. Waking up to such mornings fills every day with anticipation. Here, every step is a painting, every moment worth treasuring. If you long for a peaceful and beautiful journey like this, Ulan Butong Flowers Bloom by the Path Boutique Inn will not disappoint. 💖 Ulan Butong Flowers Bloom by the Path Boutique Inn

Below is a seven-day in-depth travel guide for the Ulan Butong Grassland, covering classic must-visit spots, hidden gems, photography locations, and practical tips to help you experience the diverse landscapes of grasslands, deserts, and forests! --- **📅 Seven-Day Itinerary (Best by Self-Drive/Chartered Car)** **📍 Core Route** Beijing/Chengde → Saihanba → Ulan Butong → Keshiketeng Banner → Re'a Line/Dada Line → Yulong Sand Lake → Return **Day 1: Arrive at the Heart of the Grassland** - **Morning**: Depart from Beijing/Chengde (about 6 hours by car), pass through Saihanba National Forest Park (ticket 130 RMB), cross the forest sea to Ulan Butong (ticket 120 RMB/valid for 3 days). - **Afternoon**: Check in at a guesthouse near Hongshan Military Horse Farm (recommended "Moshang Huakai" guesthouse, book 2 weeks in advance during peak season). - **Evening**: Climb to **General Pond** to watch the sunset, horseback ride around the lake (50 RMB/hour), capture horses splashing water. **Day 2: Classic Grassland Highlights** - **Early Morning**: Sunrise at the **Film Studio** (filming location of "Princess Pearl"), hike the boardwalk to the European-style scenic area. - **Morning**: Bike around **Princess Lake** (bike rental 30 RMB/hour), take photos in the birch forest. - **Afternoon**: Visit **Wild Duck Lake** → **Five-Color Mountain** (best in September, with colorful forests), encounter herders grazing sheep along the way. - **Night**: Join a Mongolian yurt bonfire party (80 RMB per person), enjoy roasted whole lamb with horse milk wine. **Day 3: Off-road Adventure into Secret Spots** - **All Day**: Rent an off-road vehicle (about 600 RMB/day) to explore **Toufenggou**, **Panlong Canyon** (guide required), cross streams, climb sand slopes, experience the "grassland roller coaster." - **Highlight**: Photograph cattle and sheep herds and rolling meadows in **East Valley**, visit **Toad Dam** (ticket 30 RMB) in the afternoon to shoot light and shadow hills. **Day 4: Geological Wonders of Keshiketeng Banner** - **Morning**: Drive 2 hours to **Ashatu Stone Forest** (ticket 160 RMB), see glacial relics and strange stones. - **Afternoon**: Cross the **Re'a Line** (70 km grassland sky road), stop at **Huanggangliang** to overlook the mixed forest and sandy landscape. - **Overnight**: Stay in Reshuitang Town, soak in hot springs to relieve fatigue (recommended "Keshiketeng Hot Spring Hotel"). **Day 5: Collision of Desert and Lakes** - **Morning**: Drive 3 hours to **Yulong Sand Lake** (ticket 80 RMB), ride camels (100 RMB/hour), try desert motorbikes. - **Afternoon**: Sand sliding and barefoot walking on cool sand at **Buridun Lake** (sand stays cool even in midsummer). - **Evening**: Camp under the desert starry sky (tent rental 200 RMB per tent), the Milky Way visible to the naked eye. **Day 6: Leisurely Return Journey** - **Morning**: Pass through **Huamugou National Forest Park** (free), pick mushrooms and collect pine cones. - **Afternoon**: Return to Ulan Butong, retake photos of **Aobao Tu** morning mist (arrive by 5 am) or enjoy free activities. **Day 7: Farewell to the Grassland** - **Morning**: Horse galloping at Hongshan Military Horse Farm (professional coach accompanies, 100 RMB per lap). - **Noon**: Taste Mongolian hot pot tea, dairy tofu, buy beef jerky souvenirs (recommended brand "Caoyuan Hong"). - **Return**: Head back to Beijing via Yudaokou Ranch, stop by **Moon Lake** for photos. **📸 Must-Photograph Scenes** 1. **General Pond Morning Mist**: Arrive before 5:30 am, use telephoto lens to capture herders driving horses through water. 2. **Toad Dam Sunset**: Secure spot by 4 pm, use fence as foreground. 3. **Re'a Line Road Shots**: Wide-angle photos of S-curves with grassland background, wear bright clothes recommended. 4. **Starry Sky Photography Spots**: Yulong Sand Lake or Ulan Butong Film Studio, tripod and high ISO required. --- **⚠️ Practical Tips** | **Item** | **Tips** | **Transport** | Prefer SUVs/off-road vehicles! Grassland roads are bumpy, be cautious in rain; gas stations are scarce, fill up whenever possible. | **Clothing** | Large temperature difference between day and night, wear sun-protective clothes and short sleeves during the day, fleece or windbreaker at night; wear high-top shoes in the desert to prevent sand entry. | | **Avoid Scams** | Agree on horse riding price before mounting to avoid "per meter" charges; buy souvenirs at town supermarkets, avoid overpriced items in scenic spots. | **Accommodation** | Prices double in peak season (July-August), book early; one night in a Mongolian yurt is enough (no private bathroom). | | **Environmental Protection** | Do not trample the grassland! Some areas fine 500 RMB per vehicle; carry out your trash. --- **🍖 Grassland Food List** - **Must-Try**: Hand-held mutton (dip in chive flower sauce), grilled lamb chops, Mongolian fried bread, sand scallion scrambled eggs. - **Avoid**: "Low-price group meals" in scenic areas may use frozen meat; choose herders' family restaurants (e.g., "Batejia Mongolian Restaurant"). **"Seven days, from grassland to desert, from morning mist to starry river, the wild beauty of Ulan Butong is always on the road!"** 🌄🐎