August in Saihanba

A Cool Poem Amidst the Forest Sea and Grasslands Stepping out of the stifling city, Saihanba in August welcomes all irritations with a cool embrace—the wind carries the bitter freshness of pine needles and the sweet scent of grass onto your face. With an average temperature of twenty degrees Celsius, even the sunlight becomes gentle, filtering through the layered forest sea and casting scattered light spots. Early morning calls for a visit to General’s Pond. The lake surface is still shrouded in a veil-like mist. Walking on the dew-covered grass, you can hear the soft rustle of the blades. When the first ray of sunlight pierces through the clouds, the mist slowly disperses, and the lake suddenly brightens as if sprinkled with silver fragments. In the distance, a herd of horses strolls in the morning light, dew hanging on their manes. Occasionally, a flick of a tail startles the water birds by the shore, adding a lively touch to this tranquil scene. Noon is perfect for exploring Seven Star Lake. This wetland is hidden deep within the forest sea, where seven small lakes connect like the Big Dipper fallen onto the grassland. Walking on the wooden boardwalk, you can see the aquatic plants gently swaying with the waves below, while above stretches a vast canopy of spruces and larches, their branches shading the sky. Occasionally, a little squirrel darts past the boardwalk, clutching a pinecone as it disappears into the grass, prompting soft laughter from visitors. From the viewing platform, the green forest, blue lake, and white clouds blend together so seamlessly that it’s hard to tell where the sky ends and the earth begins. Evening is best spent on the grassland. In August, the golden lotus flowers bloom in full glory, spreading a golden sea over the green carpet. When the wind blows, the flower sea ripples like waves. Find a clean patch of grass to sit on, watch the cattle and sheep leisurely grazing, and see the smoke curling up from distant Mongolian yurts. The sunset dyes the sky orange-red, stretching the shadows of the animals long across the land. When the breeze turns cool, wrap yourself in a thin jacket prepared in advance, and listen to the sound of the grassland wind—time itself seems to slow down. Only when leaving do you remember that this “Green Lung of North China” was once a barren desert where not a blade of grass grew. Three generations have planted trees here, and over more than sixty years, a million acres of forest sea have risen from the ground. Now standing in this green ocean, watching the wind ripple through the treetops, you realize this coolness is not just a gift of nature but a poetic result of countless people’s perseverance. Saihanba in August is not just a summer retreat but a meeting of green and hope. August 22, 2009