Step into the vast grasslands of Xilingol this summer and embark on a stargazing study tour

🍃 Everyone should visit the grasslands at least once in their lifetime, gazing out over the endless green ocean and looking up at the boundless starry sky above the prairie! 🌿 "Vast Grasslands · Xilingol" holds all your summer grassland and starry sky dreams. With the summer solstice approaching, the grasslands of Xilingol have already donned fresh greenery, and 🔭 the starry skies over the grasslands have entered the prime observation period. It’s time to plan a grassland stargazing study trip in advance and set off as soon as the summer vacation begins! 👇 The "Xilingol Starry Sky Study Tour" travel guide has been prepared for you—be sure to save it now! 📌【Xilingol Starry Sky Study Tour】 🚙 Recommended transportation: Self-driving 🚩 Recommended route Depart from home → Zhengxiangbai Banner (Grassland Eye Starry Sky Camp - National Astronomical Observatories of the Chinese Academy of Sciences Mingantu Observatory - National Space Science Center "Meridian Space Monitoring Base" - Cangtian Tribe Shepherd’s Home - Zhengxiangbai Banner Museum) → Zhenglan Banner (Jinlianchuan Grassland - Yuan Shangdu Ruins Scenic Area - Zhenglan Banner Cheese Reception Hall) → Return. 🗓️ Recommended itinerary Day 1️⃣ 🚗 Arrive at Zhengxiangbai Banner [Mingantu Town], a town named after an astronomer with a rich astronomical culture. The town is far from city light pollution, with clean air and an excellent natural "dark night sky" environment, boasting over 200 clear nights annually—an ideal place for stargazing and astrophotography. 🛰️ On the night of arrival, it is recommended to stay at the [Grassland Eye Starry Sky Camp]. The camp has an observatory where you can use telescopes to watch the stars. Additionally, there is a rotating star observation platform where you can sit or lie down and watch the stars, rotating 360 degrees with a remote control for an unobstructed view. After admiring the vast starry sea, it’s suggested to spend the night in the camp’s tents for a unique holiday experience. Day 2️⃣ 🛰️ Visit the [Mingantu Observatory Base of the National Astronomical Observatories, Chinese Academy of Sciences], which is equipped with solar radio spectroheliographs, very low frequency digital radio test arrays, very low frequency radio spectrum analyzers, and three-band solar radio telescopes. From afar, you can see these large white instruments standing on the grassland—perfect for photos and sure to be a hit on social media! 🔭 Next, visit the [National Space Science Center "Meridian Space Monitoring Base"], where you can learn in depth about the "Meridian Project" and explore astronomy knowledge through dome theaters, flight theaters, VR theaters, and holographic theaters. You can also enjoy unique astronaut experience meals and authentic Mongolian cuisine. 🏛️ After the observatory visit, head to the [Zhengxiangbai Banner Museum] to experience local history and culture and try intangible cultural heritage crafts, deepening your understanding of the city. At night, it’s recommended to stay at a local herdsman’s home to experience local customs and taste delicious grassland cuisine. Day 3️⃣ 🚗 Head to [Zhenglan Banner] and immerse yourself in the beautiful [Jinlianchuan Grassland]! This grassland lies along both banks of the Shangdu River in Zhenglan Banner. Every summer, golden lotus flowers bloom across the grassland, decorating the green prairie with golden blossoms. The scenery is picturesque and a perfect spot for photography! ⌛️ While at Jinlianchuan Grassland, be sure to visit the World Cultural Heritage site [Yuan Shangdu Ruins]. This is the site of the Yuan Dynasty summer capital, preserving foundations of city walls, gates, and flood control channels. You can explore the layout of the Yuan Dynasty "summer capital." In summer, you can take a popular small train that runs through the Jinlianchuan Grassland and flower sea, offering a unique way to tour the Yuan Shangdu Ruins and enrich your experience. ✨️ At night, it’s recommended to stay at a quality hotel in [Shangdu Town]. For dining, check out the "Zhenglan Banner Shangdu Town Original Hotpot Restaurant," officially recognized for authentic Xilingol lamb dishes—definitely worth trying. Before heading back, don’t miss visiting the [Zhenglan Banner Cheese Reception Hall] in Shangdu Town to pick up some Zhenglan Banner cheese and Hunsandake beef and mutton specialties to take home! 🍃 Summer is the "most beautiful" season on the grasslands and also the season of dazzling starry skies! Take advantage of the summer vacation to visit Xilingol and let the grassland starry sky heal your soul—an experience not to be missed in a lifetime! Image sources: Vast Grasslands Xilingol Cultural Tourism Official WeChat, Trip.com Official Album, Zhengxiangbai Banner Culture, Sports, Tourism and Broadcasting Bureau Official WeChat -