Autumn Travel Guide: Saihanba & Wulanbutong

How to enjoy the most stunning autumn scenery when visiting Saihanba and Wulanbutong in September and October? Today, Xiaoma recommends a brand-new autumn sightseeing route for Saihanba and Wulanbutong. The scenery here rivals that of Xinjiang, but the travel cost is only half. Every year from late September to early October, Saihanba and Wulanbutong showcase their most vibrant autumn colors. First, it is recommended to head to Chengde, Hebei. Once in Chengde, you can choose to rent a car for self-driving or hire a car to explore the grasslands. Unlike city tours, grassland attractions are far apart, so driving is necessary. Here's the key: how to navigate? First, set your GPS to exit the highway at Weichang North, then navigate to Saihanba National Forest Park. However, during the National Day holiday, there might be traffic jams. To avoid this, you can navigate to Yudaokou Pastureland Forest Scenic Area after exiting the highway. This route reduces the risk of traffic congestion. Saihanba and Yudaokou are close to each other. In Saihanba, you can see a vast artificial forest, while in Yudaokou, you can enjoy herds of cattle, horses, and sheep on the expansive grasslands—a perfect blend of forest and grassland. On the first day in Saihanba, follow this itinerary: Start by navigating to Moon Lake as your first stop, then proceed to Shenlongtan (Dragon Pool). By the time you finish exploring Shenlongtan, it will likely be around noon, so you can have lunch in Saihanba Town. In the afternoon, visit Sun Lake as the third stop, followed by the Grand Canyon, Turtle Mountain, and Peach Mountain Lake. This way, you can enjoy both forest and grassland scenery in one day. On the second day, visit Birch Forest National Park and the core scenic areas of Wulanbutong. These are separate attractions with individual tickets. Wulanbutong's ticket costs 120 yuan and includes highlights like the Film Base, General's Paozi, Princess Lake, Five-Color Mountain, Hengli Mountain Wild Duck Lake, and Panlong Mountain Grand Canyon. Birch Forest National Park's ticket is 40 yuan and includes attractions like Hama Dam and Golden Cicada Lake Photography Base. Spend the morning at Birch Forest National Park, which is a favorite among photographers for its unparalleled autumn scenery. In the afternoon, explore the core scenic areas of Wulanbutong. The best time to enjoy the autumn scenery here is from September 20 to the National Day holiday, so plan your trip accordingly. On the third morning, you can venture into the grassland wilderness and visit private pastures to experience the northern scenery of 'cattle and sheep appearing as the wind blows the grass.' You can also freely gallop across the grasslands, capturing stunning photos effortlessly. However, note that regular sedans are not suitable for entering the grassland interior. If you have an SUV, you can opt for light off-roading to access herders' pastures. For hardcore off-road vehicles, you can unlock all grassland routes. Make sure to find a local guide or switch to a local herder's off-road vehicle for the crossing. After the adventure, return to Chengde, Hebei, to conclude your trip. If you also want to witness the breathtaking autumn scenery of Saihanba and Wulanbutong, don't forget to like, save, and share this video. If you have any questions, feel free to comment.