Three Days and Two Nights: The Complete Guide to Exploring the Fengning Bashang Grassland and the Hundred-Mile Sky Road
Going to Xinjiang is too far, and there are too many people in western Sichuan, so come to the Fengning Bashang Grassland. It is only a little over 300 kilometers from Beijing, making it both close and convenient, and you can even drive there in a sedan.
At the beginning of September, the autumn colors of the Bashang Grassland have already started to appear. Every year from mid-September to early October, the short span of one month is the peak time for autumn colors in the Bashang Grassland. The forest and grassland scenery is uniquely beautiful, with the highlight being the Hundred-Mile Sky Road Scenic Area, known as the 'First Road of Northern Beijing' and also called the 'Sky Road in the Clouds.' It stretches like a giant dragon lying across the mountains at an average altitude of 1982 meters, with a total length of 100 kilometers. It is acclaimed as China's most beautiful and thrilling highland self-driving route and is also the largest and longest self-driving destination within the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.
Here, the sky looks like a dome, the clouds seem to brush your shoulders, wind turbines sway, and wildflowers cover the fields. From the top of the eastern mountain, you can watch the sunset, hike through the sea of flowers in Beauty Valley, and experience both the grandeur and vastness of 'seeing three towns from one mountain, reaching the sky with your hand' and the excitement of 'four seasons in one day, different weather in a hundred miles.' It feels like walking through a colorful, dreamlike primitive painting.
🗓 Itinerary:
Here is a recommended three-day itinerary for your reference.
⛰【Attraction Guide】
Day 1: Arrive at Datanzhen or a nearby B&B near the southern gate of the Sky Road in the morning. Have lunch at the food street in Datanzhen or at the B&B. In the afternoon, visit the Cloud Grassland, watch the sunset from the eastern mountain top of the Cloud Grassland in the evening, and arrange your own activities at night, such as participating in a bonfire party at the B&B.
Day 2: Depart early in the morning and arrive at the ticket office at the southern gate of the Sky Road (note: online tickets are only valid for entry from the southern gate, open from June 8 to October 8, 8:00-18:00). After exchanging tickets, choose your route based on your schedule.
1.5-hour route: Baihua Slope - Camel Peak - Heaven and Earth T-Stage - Huanghua Top - Scenic Area Exit ① - Qiansongba National Forest Park (after visiting Qiansongba National Forest Park, you can continue driving into the Sky Road without leaving the scenic area).
3-hour route: Baihua Slope - Camel Peak - Heaven and Earth T-Stage - Huanghua Top - Liuyun Ridge - Wind Turbine and Birch - Farmland Flower Sea - Birch Ridge - Scenic Area Exit ②
4-hour route: Baihua Slope - Camel Peak - Heaven and Earth T-Stage - Huanghua Top - Liuyun Ridge - Wind Turbine and Birch - Farmland Flower Sea - Birch Ridge - Chayanzhen - Bright Top - Five-Color Flower Field - End of the Sky - Hazelnut Ridge - Northern Entrance of the Hundred-Mile Sky Road.
Day 3: Depart early in the morning to Beauty Valley - hike and enjoy the flowers in Beauty Valley - horseback riding at nearby ranches - return trip.
🌟 Highlights:
1. The Hundred-Mile Sky Road is a favorite spot for photographers, with multiple stunning shooting locations along the way. The golden birch forest, yellow haystacks, the grassland pearl Princess Lake, and the free-roaming cattle, horses, and sheep encompass the marvelous colors of nature in blue, green, red, and yellow, adorning the sky, lake, forest, and mountains, making the entire autumn breathtakingly beautiful. Main attractions include: Baihua Slope, Camel Peak, Heaven and Earth T-Stage, Huanghua Top, Liuyun Ridge, Wind Turbine and Birch, Farmland Flower Sea, Birch Ridge, Chayanzhen, End of the Sky, Hazelnut Ridge.
2. The Cloud Grassland Scenic Area is located at the starting point of the first grassland in northern Beijing, facing the Hundred-Mile Sky Road Scenic Area across the road. With a highest altitude of 2192 meters, it integrates grasslands, sparse forests, wetlands, streams, and shrubs. It features boundless sparse tree grasslands, clusters of shrub flower seas, and crystal-clear wetland lakes. Here, the peaks are lush, the clouds are light, the dense forests are serene, and the mountain flowers are in full bloom, forming beautiful landscape paintings, like a paradise on earth. It is known as the most primitive forest fairy tale and the most romantic self-driving paradise. Main attractions include: watching the sunset from the eastern mountain top, Cooling Road, Cooling Lake, Birch Valley, Wangyuan Mountain, Chaotianwa, Spruce Forest, Lilac Embracing Willow, and Step by Step Ascend.
3. Beauty Valley Scenic Area is named after the distant view of the ridge resembling a reclining 'Sleeping Beauty.' It is the largest natural primitive forest flower sea hiking destination in the Fengning Bashang area. With rich plant species and numerous biological communities, it integrates grasslands, sparse forests, flower seas, wetlands, and lakes into an ecological tourism destination. The scenic area has a 10-kilometer-long boardwalk. Walking along the boardwalk, you will see golden birches, fiery red rowans, green larches, and clusters of flowering shrubs with fragrant fruits, forming magnificent and unparalleled landscape paintings, as if entering a fairy tale world, like stepping into a paradise on earth.
📝 Tips:
1. The Hundred-Mile Sky Road is located in the Bashang Grassland, with large temperature differences between morning and evening. Prepare warm clothing (such as light down jackets, hats, etc.).
2. The Hundred-Mile Sky Road is located on a plateau with long sunshine hours and strong light. Pay attention to sun protection (prepare sun hats, sunglasses, sunscreen, etc.). The Hundred-Mile Sky Road is a long route, so it is recommended to bring some snacks like chocolate, beef jerky, and biscuits to replenish energy.