No need to go to Xinjiang! Find the Miyazaki Hayao fairytale grassland in Chenzhou, southern Hunan | A day trip for a toddler.

At an altitude of 1314 meters, step into a Miyazaki-style grassland! I've always wanted to take my child to a place where his eyes would light up and he could run and play freely. No need to travel all the way to Xinjiang or Inner Mongolia; right here in Chenzhou, Hunan, we found this fairytale grassland hidden above the clouds—Yangtianhu Grassland. Known as "Little Switzerland of the South," "The Most Beautiful Alpine Grassland in the South," and "The Hulunbuir of Jiangnan," this grassland sits at an altitude of 1314 meters (how romantic!), a natural dream playground for toddlers. Windmills, meadows, adorable animals, Hobbit houses… all the elements of a fairytale are within reach here. 🧭 One-Day Highlights · Slow Travel Itinerary (Family-Friendly Version) Morning: Venture deep into the heart of the grassland, becoming a fairytale resident. Core Experiences All in One Place: 🚂 Vintage Grassland Train: Slowly traveling between rolling meadows and windmills, it's like stepping into a magical train from a Miyazaki-style fairytale kingdom. 🛖 Fairy Tale Cottage: Step into the forest home of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and take fairytale-like family photos in front of the colorful round house. 🦌 Petting Zoo: Enjoy gentle rubs from deer and curious stares from alpacas (watch out for their drool!), the best natural lesson in cultivating compassion and courage. 🌿 Grassland Exclusive Experience: Experience gentle grass skiing, where the speed will have children screaming with excitement; or try horseback riding with an instructor and feel the charm of the grassland. Midday: Stroll to Yangtian Lake in the heart of the grassland. This lake, formed by a Quaternary glacial volcano, resembles a sapphire. Sitting by the lake, watching the giant white windmills slowly turn, time seems to slow down. Afternoon: Leisurely return journey, exploring the ancient city's millennia-old charm. Head to Yuhou Street in Chenzhou City, the starting point of the ancient Xiang-Yue Road, with over 2200 years of history. At night, lanterns illuminate the street, and the blue bricks and gray tiles create a unique atmosphere. 📝 A Super Practical Guide for Families with Children 1. Sun and Wind Protection are Key: High altitude and strong UV radiation mean children must be protected from the sun (hats, sunscreen); large temperature differences between day and night mean even in summer, bring a windproof jacket. 2. Flexible Activity Choices: Most activities within the scenic area, such as the mini-train, grass skiing, and animal feeding, are individually priced. Choose freely based on your child's interests and physical abilities; don't try to do everything. 3. Transportation Recommendations: We highly recommend hiring a car. Driving on mountain roads requires experience; hiring a car saves time and effort, and children can rest comfortably in the vehicle. 💭 Reflections of a Toddler's Journey On this journey, we witnessed the child's unrestrained laughter as he chased the mini-train across the grassland; we also saw his focused attention as he curiously touched the window frames on the ancient cobblestone streets. Travel is not about rushing, but about learning about the world through our five senses. This is probably the gift that the "Toddler's Journey" most wants to leave for children. Hopefully, this guide will help you and your little traveler write a unique fairytale chapter at Yangtian Lake. 📌 This post is about a day trip to the fairytale grasslands of Chenzhou. We also have a carefully designed 3-day, 2-night in-depth tour of Chenzhou (connecting the misty Xiaodongjiang River, Danxia Gaoyiling, etc.). Follow "Little Traveler" to see the full collection and easily plan your next trip. #LittleTraveler #FamilyTravel #HunanChenzhou #YangtianLakeGrassland #YuhouStreet #TravelWithKids #OffTheBeatenPath #AlpineGrassland #HobbitHouse #littlevoyagerthewaddlewalker