Inner Mongolia | May Day Holiday Self-Drive Guide to Ulan Butong Grassland from Beijing

🎉 **Pre-Departure Excitement** The May Day holiday is the perfect time to enjoy nature and scenery! If you're tired of the city noise and longing for a spontaneous trip, the Ulan Butong Grassland in Hexigten Banner, Inner Mongolia is an excellent choice. Here you'll find not only vast grasslands but also spectacular starry skies and unique geological landscapes. Follow this guide and embark on this dreamy journey! 🚗💨 --- ### 🗺️ Itinerary 📅 **Day 1: Departure Point - Reshuitang Town** 🚗 **Route**: Depart from your starting point (such as Beijing) and take the highway all the way to Reshuitang Town, covering about 520 kilometers in approximately 6 hours of driving. The scenery along the way is picturesque as you head north, experiencing the vastness and tranquility of the grasslands. 🏨 **Accommodation**: Recommended stay at the **Mountain and Water Hot Spring Hotel** in Reshuitang Town, with standard rooms priced at around 180 yuan. Though the facilities are somewhat dated, the hot spring resources are abundant. Soaking in a hot spring to relieve travel fatigue is absolutely delightful! 🛀 🍽️ **Food**: **Zhongtian Restaurant** in Reshuitang Town may not offer sophisticated dishes, but it's affordable and will let you experience the warmth of the grasslands at your first stop. --- 📅 **Day 2: Reshuitang Town - Huanggangliang National Forest Park - Asihatu Stone Forest - Gongger Grassland - Dalainor Lake** 🚗 **Route**: Depart from Reshuitang Town, passing through Huanggangliang National Forest Park and Asihatu Stone Forest, arriving at Gongger Grassland, and finally heading to Dalainor Lake. Although the day's itinerary is packed, each scenic spot is worth stopping for. 🏞️ **Attractions**: - **Huanggangliang National Forest Park**: Home to the primeval forests of the Greater Khingan Range, with towering trees and fresh air, it feels like a natural oxygen bar. 🌲 - **Asihatu Stone Forest**: Unique geological landscapes that showcase nature's incredible craftsmanship, leaving you in awe. ⛰️ - **Dalainor Lake**: The sunset by the lake is its signature view, with golden sunlight sprinkling on the water surface, creating a breathtaking rippling effect. 🌅 🏨 **Accommodation**: Upon reaching Dalainor Lake, recommended stay at the **Dali Golden Tent Hotel**, with triple rooms priced at about 200 yuan. Though basic in conditions, it has a yard for stargazing, and you can count stars at night! ✨ 🍽️ **Food**: There aren't many restaurants along the way, so it's advisable to prepare some snacks and water in advance, or replenish your energy at small shops near the scenic areas. --- 📅 **Day 3: Dalainor Lake - Ulan Butong Grassland** 🚗 **Route**: Depart from Dalainor Lake and follow the mountain route to Ulan Butong Grassland, covering about 197 kilometers in approximately 3 hours of driving. Along the way, you'll take in the beautiful grassland scenery, and your spirits will soar. 🚗💨 🏨 **Accommodation**: - **Ulan Butong Sumu**: This is the core accommodation area of the Ulan Butong scenic area, with numerous hotels and guesthouses. Recommended stay at the **Ulan Butong Kailin Resort Hotel**, where the hostess is warm and hospitable, offering great value for money and authentic grassland cuisine. 🏡 - **Ulan Butong Fengxing Four Seasons Hotel**: Complete facilities and attentive service make it an excellent choice for those seeking comfort. 🏨 🍽️ **Food**: - **Hand-Grabbed Meat**: A traditional Inner Mongolian dish, the meat is tender and juicy, leaving a delicious aftertaste. 🍖 - **Whole Roasted Lamb**: The signature dish of Ulan Butong Grassland, roasted to crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with an enticing aroma that will definitely satisfy your appetite. 🍖 - **Milk Tea**: Rich in flavor, paired with milk skin and milk tofu, it's both nutritious and delicious. ☕ - **Wild Vegetables**: Fresh fern shoots stir-fried with meat, wild leeks with scrambled eggs, allowing you to taste the natural bounty of the grasslands. 🥗 --- 📅 **Day 4: Exploring Ulan Butong Grassland - Return Journey** 🏞️ **Attractions**: - **Film Base**: Many well-known films and TV shows have been shot here, making it a paradise for photography enthusiasts. Here, you can find familiar scenes and take beautiful photos. 🎬 - **Five-Colored Mountain**: The iconic landmark of Ulan Butong, with colorful mountain ranges resembling nature's palette. 🌈 - **Princess Lake**: Crystal clear water and picturesque scenery make it the romantic spot of Ulan Butong. ✨ - **Toad Dam**: Located within the Huamu Valley National Forest Park, it features unique scenery but requires a separate ticket. 🌲 🚗 **Return Journey**: Return from Ulan Butong Grassland to your departure point, concluding this unforgettable journey. Though the trip is coming to an end, the beautiful memories will remain in your heart. 🚗💨 --- ### 🌟 Featured Attractions in Ulan Butong Tourist Area - **Film Base**: This is the filming location for numerous productions, and every scene is filled with storytelling potential. 🎬 - **Five-Colored Mountain**: The mountain ranges are colorful and serve as the iconic landmark of Ulan Butong, so beautiful you can't take your eyes off it. 🌈 - **Princess Lake**: Clear water and beautiful scenery make it the romantic spot of Ulan Butong, perfect for couples to visit. ✨ - **Toad Dam**: Located within the Huamu Valley National Forest Park, it features unique scenery and is a paradise for photography enthusiasts. 🌲 --- ### 📝 Important Notes 1. **Book in Advance**: During the May Day holiday, there are many tourists, so it's advisable to book hotels and attraction tickets in advance to avoid not finding accommodation or waiting in line. 📅 2. **Sun Protection and Warmth**: The grassland has strong UV rays and significant temperature differences between morning and evening. Remember to bring sunscreen, sun hats, and thick jackets to protect yourself. 🌞❄️ 3. **Safety First**: Pay attention to road conditions while driving, especially on some sections of the Dada Line where road conditions are poor, and drive carefully. 🚗 4. **Respect Local Customs**: Respect local customs and protect the environment to keep this beautiful grassland pure forever. 🌍 --- 🎉 **Conclusion** A spontaneous journey, a romantic encounter with the grasslands. Hope this guide helps you gather plenty of joy and memories during the May Day holiday. Pack your bags and embark on this dreamy journey! 🌟 --- 🌟 **More Travel Tips**: - **Best Travel Time**: May in Ulan Butong Grassland has moderate temperatures and picturesque scenery, making it the best season for travel. - **Transportation Guide**: Departing from Beijing, the entire journey is on highways with good road conditions, making self-driving the best option. - **Photography Tips**: The early morning and sunset on the grassland are the best times for photography. Remember to bring a tripod to capture stunning photos. 📷 --- 🌟 **Travel Tips**: - **Best Travel Time**: May in Ulan Butong Grassland has moderate temperatures and picturesque scenery, making it the best season for travel. - **Transportation Guide**: Departing from Beijing, the entire journey is on highways with good road conditions, making self-driving the best option. - **Photography Tips**: The early morning and sunset on the grassland are the best times for photography. Remember to bring a tripod to capture stunning photos. 📷