Inner Mongolia Seven-Day Horse Riding Adventure: Galloping at the Edge of Wind and Grass

Starting from the city, I thought this would be a simple sightseeing horseback experience. However, these seven days in Inner Mongolia felt more like a spiritual journey, a dialogue with nature. No fancy equipment, just the wind, horses, grasslands, and a gradually tranquil self. On the first day upon arriving at the grasslands, everything was breathtaking. The sky was vast, the land was an endless green, and when the wind blew, the entire grassland rippled like waves. Guided by the herders, we met our horses for the first time. At that moment, I realized that for the next few days, my life would be closely intertwined with this animal. The first two days were tough. My thighs were sore, and my hands were numb from gripping the reins. The horse had its own temperament; it wouldn’t move or stop just because you told it to. I learned to understand its rhythm, to build trust rather than command. By the third day, everything changed. I no longer resisted the jolts, nor did I constantly check the time. Instead, I let my mind wander, watching the clouds, the wind, the distant cattle, and tents. That evening, we rode through the golden grasslands under the sunset. The clouds in the sky looked as if they were ablaze, and I finally understood the true weight of the word "magnificent." From the fourth to the sixth day, we ventured into more remote hills and lakes. It felt less like horseback riding and more like exploring alongside the horse. Sometimes, after crossing a hill, we’d discover a hidden, crystal-clear lake unknown to anyone. The nights here were incredibly quiet. With the evening breeze and countless stars above, the silence was so profound that you could start hearing the voice within your heart. On the seventh day, I didn’t want it to end. Leaning against my horse’s neck, I whispered a thank you. Thank you for its companionship and patience over the past few days, and thank you to the grasslands for helping me rediscover the taste of freedom.