Ulanqab Grassland and Volcano Self-Driving Travel Guide

Perhaps the perfection of my trip to Hulunbuir made it hard to move on after returning from the grasslands. Compared to the scorching heat of Beijing, Inner Mongolia is refreshingly cool. Driven by various factors, I embarked on my second grassland journey this year. Beijing - Ulanqab City - Huiteng Xile Grassland - Wulanhada Volcano - Beijing, a total of approximately 1000km over two days and one night. This itinerary is perfect for those with limited vacation time and abundant energy, like me. 🚙 Day 1: Rain-soaked grasslands, clouds herding cattle and horses under the setting sun. Departing from the North Fourth Ring Road in Beijing at 6:30 AM, I set my navigation points to Ulanqab City, Jina Line, Kelian Line, Anda Resort Center, Huanghuagou Tourist Area, Baiyin Off-road Base, National Highway 335, and Ulanqab Night Market (see image 2). Around noon, I arrived at Ulanqab City. After lunch and a short rest, I continued along the navigation route via Jina Line and Kelian Line. A few important notes here: The entrance to Jina Line is not very noticeable, and there are many trucks entering and exiting, so safety is paramount! There are height restrictions along the way; I tested it with a regular SUV, which passed through without issues. Two sections of the road were flooded when I visited, with water depth reaching just below the calf. Our SUV managed to pass, but the situation for sedans is uncertain. Additionally, the entire route has many potholes and gravel sections, so those concerned about road conditions should proceed with caution to avoid compromising the experience. By 3 PM, I reached Anda Resort Center. Unfortunately, the weather turned against us, and heavy rain started as soon as we arrived. The wind was chilly, so remember to bring a light jacket for unexpected weather conditions. After half an hour, the rain stopped, and we drove to Huanghuagou. However, the road was heavily congested, forcing us to return to the area near Anda Resort Center. Nearby, you can enjoy horseback riding and grass skiing—be sure to ask around and negotiate prices. The scenery after the rain was exceptionally beautiful. Clouds spread freely across the sky, wind turbines turned lazily in the distance, cattle and horses strolled leisurely on the fresh greenery, lakes reflected the clouds, and the scent of grass mixed with the moisture in the air—everything felt just right. By 5:30 PM, we followed Kelian Line and National Highway 335, stopping along the way to catch the sunset. You can see vast fields of sunflowers 🌻 and rapeseed flowers, which are stunning and awe-inspiring! However, when we arrived, the backlighting made it impossible to capture their true beauty. Highly recommended!!! If you skip Jina Line, you can take National Highway 335 and Kelian Line to the grasslands. This way, you can enjoy the flower fields first, followed by the grasslands and sunset. At 7:30 PM, we arrived at Ulanqab Night Market. It was bustling with people, featuring plenty of delicious snacks and performances. 🌋 Day 2: Ancient volcanoes, brown rocks chasing drifting clouds. To avoid traffic, we chose to set out early, experiencing a smooth journey without queues. Departing at 7 AM, we set our navigation point to Lava River Station (important note: the second ticket checkpoint, where fewer people buy tickets). To be continued...