Been to Ulanqab 5 times, here’s a well-organized travel guide for you~

Who gets it! Ulanqab in August is literally the “coolest summer spot” in North China! After visiting 5 times, I realized that summer here isn’t sticky hot, but filled with prairie winds and volcanic coolness. I’ve sorted out the guide for you, go for it with confidence～🌬️ Must-Visit Attractions 1. Huitengxile Grassland: The grassland in August looks like green silk! Wildflowers weave the grassland into a floral carpet, windmills spin under the blue sky, riding horses along the herding paths, the breeze is cool enough to wear long sleeves, lying on the grass at dusk watching the sunset, cattle and sheep stroll by slowly, 100 times more comfortable than an air-conditioned room 🐑 2. Ulanhada Volcanic Cluster: Climbable “Mars surface”! The boardwalk on Volcano No. 3 leads straight to the summit, the black basalt of Volcano No. 5 is super photogenic, the volcanic crater blooms with little yellow flowers in August, rent a spacesuit for photos and your friends will think you went to Mars, the volcano at sunset is dyed golden red, breathtakingly beautiful 🌋 3. Sumu Mountain Forest Park: A natural oxygen bar for coolness! Average temperature in August is 20°C, walk on wooden boardwalks into spruce forests, the stream water is as cold as soda, the lookout tower on the mountain top offers views of rolling sea of clouds, when tired sit on a rock and eat an ice cream, the air is filled with pine needle fragrance 🍦 4. Jining Battle Memorial Hall: A passionate red memory! See weapons and old photos from the battle, listen to the guide’s stories, the monument outside is solemn and dignified, visiting in August makes you appreciate the preciousness of peace even more, remember to keep quiet 🇨🇳 5. Daihai Lake: The sapphire by the grassland! The lake water in August is crystal clear blue, water birds hide in the reeds by the shore, rent a small boat to row to the lake center, the wind gently pushes the boat, watch the mountain shadows reflected on the water, the sunset dyes the lake orange, every photo is wallpaper-worthy 🌊 Food Recommendations 🥩 Hand-Pulled Mutton (Farmed Sheep): Hardcore joy of the grassland! Bone-in mutton boiled in clear water, dipped in salt tastes incredibly fresh, eating outside a Mongolian yurt in August with natural breeze, cutting with a small knife is the real flavor, “Grassland Pastoral Family” freshly slaughtered farmed sheep, the meat is tender beyond compare～ 🍜 Youmian Wowo: The soul of Ulanqab! Made from oat flour, the wowo looks like little caves, poured with mutton soup and pickled vegetables, sour and appetizing, refreshing and not greasy in August, best steamed fresh by local farmers, paired with a bowl of milk tea, who doesn’t love carbs～ 🥔 Fried Cake: Yellow millet dough wrapped with red bean paste, fried golden, bite into a molten center, sweet but not greasy, freshest and most fragrant at the August market, 3 yuan each, paired with a bowl of mutton offal soup, warm and super comforting～ 🌶️ Jining Cold Noodles: Summer lifesaver! Cold noodles wrapped with sesame paste and chili, chewy and refreshing, eating a bowl on the street in August clears all the heat, the old shop “Old Jining Cold Noodles” has long queues daily, add some fried skewers for the ultimate combo～ 🍲 Milk Tea Soaked Fried Rice: The ritual of grassland breakfast! Savory milk tea soaking golden fried rice, chew with some milk, the longer it soaks the more fragrant, drinking a bowl in the August morning gives you energy for the grassland, the milk tea freshly brewed by herders is the most authentic☕ Accommodation Suggestions 🏨 Grassland Mongolian Yurt: A must-experience romance! Choose yurts with private bathrooms, “Huanghuagou Homestay” offers grassland views from the window, in August you can see the Milky Way at night, lie on the kang bed listening to the wind, the owner cooks hand-pulled mutton, late at night you can have a bonfire chat～🔥 🏨 Ulanqab City Center: Convenient for shopping and eating! “Howard Johnson Dortmund Hotel” is close to the food street, no need for air conditioning in August, you can go to the night market for cold noodles, one hour drive to the volcanic cluster, great for families with kids～ 🏨 Around Sumu Mountain: Best for oxygen! Wooden cabin homestays hidden in the forest, rooms at “Sumu Mountain Lodge” have mountain views, in August you can sleep with a thin quilt, wake up to birdsong, 10-minute walk to the park, so comfortable you won’t want to leave～ Transportation Guide 🚗 Self-driving: Highly recommended! 4-hour drive from Beijing to Ulanqab, the grassland highway scenery in August is so beautiful you want to keep driving, it’s a 1-hour drive between the volcanic cluster and grassland, stop anytime to enjoy the view, ordinary cars can handle it～ 🚌 Tourist Shuttle: Buses from Jining Bus Station to the grassland and volcanoes, 3 trips daily in August, tickets 30-50 yuan, 1-2 hours ride, perfect for those who don’t want to drive～ ✈️ Flight: Ulanqab Airport is 15 km from the city, 20 minutes by taxi, 1 hour flight from Beijing, booking tickets early in August is very cost-effective～ 🐎 Horse Riding: A grassland must! Herders at Huitengxile are very reliable, 80 yuan for 1 hour ride, remember to wear long pants to prevent chafing, don’t run off alone, follow the horse guide for safety～ Travel Checklist & Tips 1. Must-bring items: Light jacket (temperature difference of 15°C+ in August mornings and evenings), sunscreen (UV can cause peeling), sunglasses, hat, hiking shoes (for volcano climbing), power bank (weak signal on the grassland) 🧥 2. Grassland Etiquette: Take off shoes when entering yurts, don’t touch herders’ heads, receive khata scarves with both hands, many mosquitoes in August so wear long pants instead of shorts～ 3. Volcano Photography: Wear bright colors! Red or white dresses against black volcanoes are super photogenic, strong sunlight at noon in August, choose morning or evening for photos, rent a spacesuit for 50 yuan per set, can shoot for 1 hour～ 4. Don’t order too much food: Grassland dishes are large portions, 2 dishes for 2 people is enough, don’t overeat hand-pulled mutton, it can get greasy, pair with milk tea to cut the grease～ 5. Sunscreen! Sunscreen! The August sun is very strong, apply sunscreen on all exposed skin or you’ll get tanned in a day, hats not only protect from sun but also block the grassland wind～ Ulanqab in August is that kind of comfort that makes you “not want to leave once you arrive,” the vast grassland, magical volcanoes, solid delicious food, every visit feels like your heart is opened～ Come to this “summer treasure spot” and make your summer different 💖