Latest Ulan Butong Travel Guide with 2025 Updates

Here is the Ulan Butong travel guide combining the latest information for 2025, covering season selection, transportation, accommodation, attractions, and tips to avoid pitfalls, helping you efficiently plan your grassland trip: --- ### ⏰ **1. Best Travel Time** - **Summer (June-August)**: The grassland is lush and green, wildflowers everywhere (such as globeflowers and wolfbane), temperatures 18-25℃, the best choice for summer cooling. - **Autumn (Late September to early October)**: Golden birch forests and fiery red maple leaves, the golden period for photography, fewer crowds and beautiful scenery. - **Winter (December to February next year)**: Snowfields, rime, and snow mushroom landscapes, but temperatures can drop to -35℃, requiring professional cold-weather gear. --- ### 🚗 **2. Transportation Guide** 1. **Self-driving (Preferred)**: - **From Beijing**: - Expressway route: Jingcheng Expressway → Chengduo Expressway → Weichang North Exit → Qisai Line (about 6.5 hours). - National road route: Jingjia Road → Yuguan Line → National Scenic Avenue No.1 (more beautiful scenery along the way but takes longer). - **Electric vehicle tip**: Charging stations in the scenic area are scarce; it is recommended to start with a full charge or choose a fuel vehicle. 2. **Public Transport**: - Beijing → Chengde → Weichang County → Ulan Butong (two buses daily, departing at 10:30/13:20, terminus "Junmachang"). - Chifeng Yulong Airport → charter car to the scenic area (about 3 hours, cost ¥500-800). --- ### 🏨 **3. Accommodation Recommendations** | **Type** | **Recommended Location** | **Price/Features** | **Reference** | |----------------|-------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------| | **Budget Homestay** | Xiaohongshanzi Village, Yanzikou | ¥200-400/night, includes private bathroom, some offer whole roasted lamb (¥280-350/serving) | | | **Mid-range Hotel** | Ulan Butong Sumu Street | ¥400-500/night (peak season), such as Haohua Holiday Hotel, well-equipped, low light pollution good for stargazing | | | **Luxury Resort** | Tara Eji Resort Hotel | ¥1000+/night, Mongolian yurt theme, includes bonfire party and whole roasted lamb experience | | > ✅ **Tip**: Book at least 1 month in advance during peak season. ### 📸 **4. Must-visit Attractions and Experiences** 1. **Core Attractions**: - **General Paozi**: Ancient battlefield site lake, excellent for sunset reflection photography. - **Princess Lake**: Legend says it is the tear lake of Kangxi’s third princess, surrounded by birch forests, ideal for early morning bird watching (red-crowned cranes, mute swans). - **Five-colored Mountain**: Autumn foliage with red and yellow interwoven like an oil painting. - **Frog Dam**: A photography paradise where herds and birch forests complement each other. 2. **Special Experiences**: - **Horseback/Camel Riding**: Official horse ranch ¥100/hour, short camel rides ¥60/person (negotiable in off-season). - **Folk Activities**: Ao Bao worship ceremony, bonfire party, hand-held lamb feast (recommend "Bashang Muge" restaurant’s caramelized milk tofu). - **Star Photography**: Avoid light pollution areas (such as south side of Haohua Hotel), the Milky Way is clearly visible in summer. --- ### ⚠️ **5. Pitfall Avoidance Guide** 1. **Tickets and Expenses**: - Combined ticket ¥120/person (valid for 3 days), free for under 6 and over 70, half price for students and seniors. - Beware of "wild horse ranches": privately rented horses have no insurance; choose official ranches (priority to Hongshan Military Horse Ranch). 2. **Climate and Gear**: - **Windproof and Warm**: Day-night temperature difference >15℃, bring windbreaker/thin down jacket even in summer. - **Essential Protection**: SPF50+ sunscreen, sunglasses (to prevent snow blindness/strong light), mosquito repellent containing DEET (many mosquitoes in wetlands). 3. **Cultural Taboos**: - Do not step on the threshold when entering a Mongolian yurt, accept khata scarves with both hands, drink mare’s milk wine after toasting heaven, earth, and ancestors. - When worshipping Ao Bao, walk clockwise three times and keep quiet. --- ### 🍖 **6. Food Recommendations** - **Must-try specialties**: - Whole roasted lamb (sheep opening ceremony experience, ¥1200-1500 each). - Hand-held meat, mutton hotpot (recommend "Narimanda" restaurant, wooden bucket yogurt ¥38/bucket). - Huazi fish (specialty of Dalinor Lake, fried ¥12 each). --- ### 💎 **Itinerary Suggestions** - **Classic 3 days 2 nights**: - **Day 1**: Arrival → General Paozi sunset → Sumu Street lamb feast. - **Day 2**: Princess Lake morning view → Five-colored Mountain → Frog Dam → Bonfire party. - **Day 3**: Grassland horseback riding → Return trip (visit Saihanba Forest Farm on the way). - **Photography route**: Autumn early morning mist at Princess Lake → Autumn colors at Five-colored Mountain → Herd return at Frog Dam. --- **Pre-trip must-check**: > 🌿 Confirm weather (grassland weather is changeable, bring rain gear); > 📞 Book accommodation/charter car (resources tight in peak season); > 🧭 Download offline maps (weak signal in scenic area). The beauty of Ulan Butong lies in the fusion of boundless grasslands and cultural charm—lying on the meadow watching drifting clouds, or riding horses toward the horizon, all are freedoms hard to find in the city. Take advantage of the midsummer and embark on a healing green wild rendezvous! 🏞️🐎