Top Choice for a Road Trip Around Beijing: My Recommendation Is...

🌿【3 Days & 2 Nights in Fengning Bashang｜Step into a 20°C Aerial Grassland! Horseback Riding & Staying in a Mongolian Yurt】 💡【Trip Highlights】 ✅ Horseback riding through birch forest wetlands ✅ Sleep in a yurt under the Milky Way ✅ Feast on freshly roasted whole lamb paired with kumis ✅ Drive along China’s version of "Route 66" 📝【3-Day Itinerary】 DAY1⃣️: Qiansongba Forest Park → Liushugou Sparse Tree Grassland ▪️ Qiansongba: Drive along the "First Sky Road" of North Beijing—18km of winding mountain roads with rollercoaster-like views above the clouds. ▪️ Liushugou: Free entry after 5 PM! Chase a grassland sunset and discover wild golden lotus fields. DAY2⃣️: Lover’s Valley → Lightning Lake → Grassland Carnival ▪️ Lover’s Valley: Hike through filming locations of *My Fair Princess* and pick wild chive flowers to make flower jam. ▪️ Lightning Lake: Ride a horse (¥30) to the lake center for mirror-like sky reflections. ▪️ Carnival: Try archery, grass sliding, or ATV rides, then stay overnight in a yurt with a bonfire party. DAY3⃣️: Genghis Khan’s Palace → Cloud Prairie → Return Trip ▪️ Genghis Khan’s Palace: Photograph giant prayer flags and experience Mongolian welcome rituals with horse milk wine. ▪️ Cloud Prairie: Navigate to "Dongshan Top for Sunset Views"—July’s golden rapeseed flower fields are a must-see. 🍜【Foodie Radar】 ▫️ Daidai Restaurant: Charcoal-grilled lamb ribs with sand onion mashed potatoes—¥60/person for a feast. ▫️ Lao Meng Lamb Soup: Creamy offal soup simmered over firewood, served with crispy baked pancakes. ▫️ Grassland Dairy Shop: Handmade cheese sticks + fried rice yogurt—perfect souvenirs. 🏡【Accommodation Guide】 👉 For immersion: *Good Morning Xionglu*—glamping tents with stargazing windows, includes horseback riding vouchers. 👉 Budget-friendly: *Zhalaying Farmstay*—yurts at ¥80/person (breakfast included), free nightly bonfires. 👉 Family-friendly: *Sky Horse Flying Town*—fairytale cabins + petting zoo. 🚗【Transport Tips】 ❶ 4-hour drive from Beijing; Datan Town gas station offers the cheapest fuel. ❷ No SUV needed—regular cars can handle the grassland roads. ❸ Gas stations are scarce! Refuel at half-tank. 📸【Photo Ops】 ✔️ Gallop on horseback in a red cloak for action shots ✔️ Hold a transparent umbrella in rapeseed fields for dreamy lighting. ✔️ Pose with a kerosene lamp under the Milky Way at your yurt ✔️ Capture backlighting in birch forests for Tyndall effect shots. 💌【Hidden Gems】 🌌 Stargazing Class: B&B owners teach free astrophotography—even iPhones can capture star trails. 🔥 Glamping: Rent gear (¥200/set) in Datan Town and camp at Gushi Ranch. 🐎 Shepherd Experience: Herd sheep with locals and learn to crack a whip. ‼️【Pitfall Avoidance】 ⚠️ Avoid buying beef jerky at tourist spots—get freshly grilled ones at *Choujie Handmade* in Datan Town. ⚠️ Horseback haggling tip: Pay by hour (not per lap); off-season rate: ~¥80/hour. ⚠️ Nights are cold—pack a light down jacket (temps drop to 10°C even in summer). When windmills strum summer’s melody, Bashang becomes the closest paradise to the clouds 🎵 (PS: DM for July’s wildflower bloom calendar!).