Departure from Beijing｜Xilin Gol Grassland: 20℃ Summer Escape Secret, Volcano and Starry Sky Grassland Guide

Escape the 40℃ heat, unlock the ultimate cool trip across grasslands, volcanoes, and deserts for just over 2,000 RMB per person 🚗 Trip Overview Route: Beijing → Huitengxile Grassland → Ulanhada Volcano → Xilin Gol Grassland → Xiwuzhumuqin Banner 99 Highway → Keshiketeng Banner → Chengde → Beijing (no backtracking) Duration: 9 days 8 nights Best Season: June to August (lush green grass, average daily temperature 20℃) Cost Reference: Fuel + tolls ≈ 1200 RMB per person, accommodation ≈ 1500 RMB (mainly guesthouses), tickets ≈ 500 RMB 📍 Daily Itinerary Details Day 1: Beijing → Huitengxile Grassland (stay at Huanghuagou) - Highlights: - Huitengxile Wind Farm: Free! Giant wind turbines blending with the grassland, cinematic vibes maxed out📸. - Huanghuagou Scenic Area: Cable car crossing the canyon (ticket 120 RMB), wait for the grassland sunset in the evening. - Accommodation: Saishang Mingzhu Hotel (modernized Mongolian yurt rooms, private bathroom, window view of wind turbines) - Tips: Direct via Jingzang Expressway, 5-hour drive; must-try dinner: hand-pulled lamb + fried millet milk tea! Day 2: Huiteng → Ulanhada Volcano (stay at the foot of the volcano) - Must-do activities: - Volcano No. 5: 20-minute climb to the top, 360° view of the “Mars-like terrain.” - Volcano No. 6: Rent a spacesuit for photos (80 RMB/hour), dark volcanic rocks look super sci-fi🪐. - Nighttime bonus: Camp at the crater to watch the Milky Way (clear Milky Way visible in summer). - Accommodation: Muye Starry Sky Guesthouse (volcano view room, breakfast included, owner provides star photography tutorial) Day 3: Volcano → Xilin Gol League (stay in Xilinhot) - Surprises along the way: - Xizhang Expressway: Cross the Hunshandake Sandland, encounter the rare spectacle of dunes and lakes intertwined. - Beizi Temple: One of Inner Mongolia’s four major Tibetan Buddhist temples, stunning red walls and golden roofs (free). - Food: Saiyid Mongolian Restaurant (60 RMB per person): hand-pulled lamb dipped in wild chive flower sauce, milk-cheese stir-fried millet! - Accommodation: Qingfeng Guesthouse (quiet courtyard in the city, 10-minute walk to Beizi Temple) Day 4: Xilinhot → Xiwuzhumuqin Banner 99 Highway (stay in Xiwuzhumuqin Banner) - Legendary route: - 99 Highway: 60 km grassland sky road, herds of cattle and sheep + winding river = real-life Windows desktop. - Banlashan Viewing Platform: Free! From the top, the grassland spreads like a green carpet to the horizon (perfect for drone shots✈️). - Accommodation: Haitang Guesthouse (farmhouse courtyard with shared rooms, 80 RMB per person for 4-person room, bedding smells of sunshine☀️) Day 5: Xiwuzhumuqin Banner → Keshiketeng Banner (stay in Jingpeng Town) - Must-visit combo: - Ashatu Stone Forest: Glacial relic stone formations (ticket 160 RMB), hiking boardwalk feels like entering a Game of Thrones scene⚔️. - Huanggangliang Reservoir: Hidden free secret spot! Walk the wooden plank road to meet forests and wildflower seas. - Warning: Food inside the Stone Forest scenic area is expensive, bring your own snacks! Day 6: Keshiketeng Banner → Chengde Mountain Resort → Beijing - Return highlights: - Chengde Mountain Resort: Quick 3-hour visit (ticket 130 RMB), Yanyu Tower recreates the filming location of "My Fair Princess" Shufangzhai. - Dinner bonus: Chengde’s “Old Three Lamb Soup” with baked flatbread (lamb offal soup 15 RMB, unlimited refills!). - Arrival time: Chengde → Beijing about 3 hours, recommended to arrive before 9 PM to avoid Beijing traffic jams. 💡 Practical Tips Collection Transportation and Money-saving Tips 1. Car Rental Guide: - Pick up an SUV in Beijing (Tank 300 about 300 RMB/day), high chassis suits grassland roads. - One-way drop-off fee ≈ 800 RMB, or choose to return in Chengde and take high-speed train back to Beijing (time-saving and convenient). 2. Fuel Tip: Gas stations are scarce north of Xilinhot, fill up whenever fuel is half tank or less⛽️! Accommodation Golden Rules - Grassland guesthouses: Book 1 month in advance! Peak season (July-August) Mongolian yurts triple in price, choose near scenic spots balancing convenience and cost-effectiveness. - Avoid pitfalls: Be cautious choosing yurts deep in the grassland (inconvenient toilets/mosquitoes), prioritize rooms with private bathrooms and stable hot water. Food Recommendations ✅ Must-eat: - Xilinhot: Saihan Mongolian Restaurant (milk tofu pancake + sand onion buns) - Xiwuzhumuqin Banner: Freshly cooked hand-pulled lamb at herders’ homes (about 80 RMB per jin, dip in salt to enjoy original flavor)❌ Avoid: “High-priced whole roasted lamb” at scenic entrances (better to book with herders for freshly slaughtered small lamb, about 120 RMB per person, more authentic) Packing List - Temperature warrior: Windbreaker (10℃ mornings and evenings), sun hat + arm sleeves (UV rays peak at noon). - Life-saving essentials: Mosquito repellent (mosquitoes dense in July), offline maps (grasslands often have no signal). 💰 Expense Breakdown Item Cost (per person) Money-saving tips Car rental + fuel 1200 RMB Share SUV with 4 people, split fuel cost Accommodation 1500 RMB Mix of guesthouses + budget hotels Tickets 500 RMB Must-visit volcano/stone forest, others choose free viewing platforms Food 800 RMB Eat more at herders’ homes + supermarket supplies Total 4000 RMB Off-season can be reduced to 3000 RMB Real Experience: - The wind turbine array at Huiteng Grassland is more photogenic than expected, wearing spacesuits at the volcano is cheesy but really fun! - Xiwuzhumuqin Banner 99 Highway is the MVP of the whole trip, every frame looks like a National Geographic shot📸. - Starting from Beijing avoids the crowds on Zhangbei Grassland Sky Road, enjoy the wild beauty of Xilin Gol, worth every drop of fuel! Route advantage: avoids peak season crowds in Hulunbuir, cost-effective, perfect for first-time grassland self-driving beginners～ This summer, step on the gas and escape the sauna heat, the grassland breeze will blow away all your worries🌿✨