Just returned from Ulan Butong, really don't recommend going in August! Because it's absolutely~

Who would've thought! Went to Ulan Butong in July for the "European-style grasslands" and got completely enchanted by its summer charm—the morning mist at General's Lake enveloping herds of horses, the play of light through birch leaves, the aroma of milk skin floating from Mongolian yurt tea. After 3 days of exploring, my phone is full of videos of grazing livestock, and now all I can think about is the rich flavor of hand-grabbed mutton—how can anyone resist this?! 🚗 Transportation Guide 🚗 Self-drive: 5 hours from Beijing (about 500 km), asphalt roads in grassland areas suitable for regular cars 🚌 Chartered car: 300 yuan/day from Chifeng city, passing through Saihanba Forest Park (130 yuan ticket includes Ulan Butong) 🐎 Scenic area transport: Rent an off-road vehicle for deep grassland exploration (600 yuan/day) to reach hidden spots like Panlong Canyon; horseback riding at 80 yuan/hour with guides for safety 🌿 3-Day Detailed Itinerary Day 1: General's Lake → Princess Lake → Panlong Canyon • Morning at General's Lake (30 yuan ticket) with lingering July mist! Watch herders drive horses through water, their hooves splashing golden droplets in sunrise light ✨ • Lunch of hand-grabbed mutton (60 yuan/jin) with garlic dip, then visit Princess Lake (30 yuan) where birch trees mirror perfectly—legend says Emperor Kangxi's daughter once dressed here 💄 • Evening adventure at Panlong Canyon (free!). Summer streams wind through grasslands as livestock drink, sunset painting the canyon gold-red—every shot looks like a Windows wallpaper 🌇 Day 2: Huamu Valley National Forest Park → Colorful Mountain → Red Pine Lake • Morning at Huamu Valley (50 yuan ticket). July transforms the forest into a green tunnel! Spot squirrels crossing roads and wildflower carpets during the drive 🌼 • Lunch of milk tea with fried rice (15 yuan), topped with milk skin. Afternoon climb up Colorful Mountain (free!) where July's layered green slopes meet distant wind turbines under cotton-like clouds 🎡 • Evening at Red Pine Lake (free!) watching waterbirds skim the surface. Local anglers say "Fish here need no seasoning—just boiled water brings out their freshness" 🐟 Day 3: Hundred Grass Aobao → Film Base → European Scenic Area • Morning at Hundred Grass Aobao (free!) with July prayer flags fluttering. Join locals circling the stone mound for blessings—colorful hada scarves cascade like waterfalls 🎗️ • Lunch of oat noodles (20 yuan) dipped in mutton soup, then explore the Film Base (free!) where "My Fair Princess" was shot. Rent Mongolian robes (50 yuan/set) for stunning photos 👗 • Sunset at European Scenic Area (free!). Rolling grasslands resemble ocean waves as livestock shadows stretch long, accompanied by distant horsehead fiddle music 🎻 🌟 7 Must-Visit Spots 1. General's Lake: Thickest July mist! Witness stampeding horses (10am show)—their water-splashing charge echoes historic Kangxi-Galdan battles ⚔️ 2. Princess Lake: Grassland sapphire! July's crystal-blue water reflects white birches and yurts. Wear white dresses for fairy-tale princess photos 👸 3. Huamu Valley: Ultimate summer retreat! Average 20°C in July. Hike shaded trails where roe deer appear—crowds are 10x smaller than main sites 🌳 4. Hundred Grass Aobao: Free blessing site! 13 stone pillars surround the mound. Locals say "Circle clockwise three times for wishes to come true" as July winds whip prayer flags 🙏 5. Panlong Canyon: Off-road paradise! Summer streams murmur as livestock graze in signal-free zones—perfect for hearing your own heartbeat 🌊 6. Film Base: Epic grassland shots! July's "European prairie" vibe features soft mountain curves. Rent tents (100 yuan) for cloud-watching picnics ⛺ 7. Red Pine Lake: Fishing meditation spot! Mirror-like July waters yield crucian carp (20 yuan/jin cooking fee)—boiled in lake water, they're finger-licking fresh 🐟 🍖 Local Food Picks • Hand-grabbed mutton: Grassland soul! 60 yuan/jin bone-in boiled lamb with garlic dip—freshly slaughtered, fatty yet non-greasy 🍖 • Milk tea with fried rice: 15 yuan/bowl. Salty tea with crispy rice and milk skin—acquired taste that grows on you, warming and filling 🥛 • Oat noodles: 20 yuan/serving. Honeycomb-shaped noodles steamed then dipped in mutton soup—healthy coarse grain pairs perfectly with onion scrambled eggs 🥚 • Roasted lamb leg: 80 yuan/jin. Charcoal-grilled to crispy tenderness—slice with knives for nomadic feast vibes, best with cumin seasoning 🌶️ 🏡 Accommodation Tips 📍 Near General's Lake: Yurts at 180 yuan/night offer stellar stargazing (Milky Way visible!) and morning horse-call alarms 🐎 📍 Film Base area: Wooden lodges (200 yuan/night) feature cozy fireplaces (unused in July but atmospheric), with horseback arrangements available 🌲 📍 Red Mountain Horse Ranch: Hotels (150 yuan/night) provide stable hot water and breakfast with Mongolian pastries 🥞 💡 Pro Tips 1. July's drastic temperature shifts! T-shirts at noon, jackets (even light down) at dawn/dusk. UV radiation demands permanent hat+mask armor 🧢 2. Never drive off-road! Stay on marked paths—grass damage incurs 500+ yuan fines. Yield to livestock crossings—they're the true locals 🐄 3. Moderate mutton intake! Though delicious, July's lamb can cause heatiness. Pair with unlimited brick tea to balance, and avoid untreated water 💧