Parent-Child Grassland Travel Guide

Re'a Route → Dada Route → Ulan Butong｜3 Days 2 Nights Pure Grassland Scenery Edition (Tested with Baby) Just completed a self-driving trip with an 8-month-old baby to the Chifeng Keshi Ketengqi Grassland, avoiding crowds throughout, focusing on natural scenery, sharing real experiences and tips to avoid pitfalls! 🚗 Route Planning Day 1️⃣ Beijing → Linxi County (8h+) • Highlights: Grassland gradually appears after passing Wengniute Banner, sunset chasing is super healing. • Accommodation: Linxi Yunji Hotel (newly opened in 2025, clean with good service, breakfast included). • Tested Suggestions: • Depart at 6 AM to avoid traffic jams on the Jingzang Expressway, service areas are spaced over 200km apart, prepare enough baby food and diapers. • The Wengniute Banner section features the "White Desert" landscape (near Yulong Sand Lake), can stop briefly for photos. Day 2️⃣ Linxi → Re'a Route → Dada Route → Ulan Butong (Scenic Driving) • 07:30 Depart Linxi → 08:00 Reshutang Town (starting point of Re'a Route) • 09:30 Huanggangliang • Tested Experience: Mountain road overlooking the remnants of the Greater Khingan Range, close-up views of flowers and grass, distant hills, full relaxation. Freshly grilled lamb skewers at the summit (pure lean meat 10 RMB/skewer) are very fragrant but prone to traffic jams, recommend off-peak visits. • Baby Tips: Strong mountain wind, dress baby in windproof jacket, choose a lightweight stroller. • 11:00 Grassland Fencing Issues • Most grasslands are fenced; you can contact herder inns or horse riding spots to enter. We stopped and took photos freely in unfenced areas, interacted with cattle, very healing (GPS signal lost, recommend finding open areas along Dada Route). • 12:30 Switch to Dada Route • Dada Route (G303) is flatter with wide grassland views. Dalainuoer Town offers lunch options; recommend "Herder Tribe Roasted Lamb Leg" (order 1 hour in advance). • 15:00 Ulan Butong • Stay at a hotel in the rainforest (high prices in peak season, average conditions, choose carefully). • Tested Pitfall: The Lanzhou noodle shop next to the hotel overcharges (two bowls of noodles 58 RMB with no price list), recommend bringing self-heating rice or dining at the town center restaurants. • 20:00 Grassland Moonlight • The moon is extremely bright at night in Ulan Butong; driving south along the road, the moonlight moves with the traffic flow, extremely romantic. Day 3️⃣ Ulan Butong → Beijing (8h+) • 08:00 Grassland Starry Sky Homestay • Unexpectedly found the "Grassland Starry Sky" homestay, the owner freely opens the grassland! Carried the baby hiking to the mountain top, overlooking layered meadows, the best experience of the trip. • 10:00 Return Trip • Take National Scenic Road No.1 (windmill scenery), heavy traffic jam at Huairou Beijing checkpoint (5 km took 3 hours), recommend passing before 7 AM. 📸 Must-Visit Spots Tested 1. Huanggangliang • Photo spots: mountain road bends, summit viewing platform. • Outfit: light-colored long dress + straw hat, flowing in the wind looks great on camera. 2. Dada Route Grassland • Interaction: take photos with cattle (keep distance), capture baby's curious expressions. 3. Ulan Butong Grassland • Homestay grassland: soft evening light, take parent-child silhouette photos. 🍴 Food Highlights and Warnings • Highlights: • Huanggangliang freshly grilled lamb skewers: tender meat, no gamey taste. • Herder Tribe Roasted Lamb Leg: crispy skin, juicy inside (Reshutang Development Zone Food Street). • Warnings: • Ulan Butong Lanzhou Noodle Shop: overpriced, poor service. • Baby Essentials: self-heating rice, baby snacks, portable kettle. ⚠️ Hard-Learned Lessons Summary 1. Fuel: Fill up before leaving Linxi County, no gas stations midway on Dada Route. 2. Accommodation: Avoid rainforest hotels, choose Ulan Butong Helong Holiday Hotel (family rooms with ball pit) or Field Wild S Hotel (bonfire party). 3. Pitfall Avoidance: Prefer restaurants with clear pricing, be cautious with noodle shops! 4. Environmental Protection: Carry trash bags, grassland cleaners are scarce. 5. Temperature Difference: Short sleeves + sun protection during the day, thin down jacket in the evening, baby needs a onesie. 🌈 Parent-Child Friendly Tips • Stroller choice: lightweight high-view stroller (grassland roads are bumpy, avoid umbrella strollers). • Nursing privacy: nurse inside Mongolian yurt or car, bring nursing cover. • Entertainment: bring bubble blower, colorful balloons, baby is very cooperative for photos. 📌 Summary: Chifeng Grassland self-driving trip, Re'a Route is like a painting, Dada Route like a symphony, Ulan Butong moonlight intoxicating. Tiring with a baby, but the vastness and freedom of the grassland make it all worthwhile!🌿👶🚗