My friends and I went on a self-driving tour to Xilin Gol Grassland on the weekend some time ago. During the trip, we had a panoramic view of the beautiful scenery of the grassland. I will introduce my self-driving tour strategy to everyone.
Drive time: less than 7 hours
Self-driving route: Xilin Gol-Dali Lake-Ashatu Stone
Lin-Xiwu Banner-Ulagai 1. Attractions on the way to Huolingol (in order):
1. Dali Lake We first enter the scenic spot from the entrance to the south bank of Dali Lake, and then walk along the wooden plank road towards the center of the lake. At first, we didn’t see anything special at the entrance, but after walking about one kilometer of wooden plank roads and water meadows, we turned a corner and the panoramic view of Dali Lake suddenly appeared in front of us! I was fascinated by the vast beauty in front of me. I was stunned. Under the blue sky, the endless Dali Lake looked like a huge sapphire. The sun shone on the lake. The scenery was very spectacular. The breeze blew by, and layers of sparkling waves rippled on the lake. I felt like I was at the beach. We walked along the beach by the lake and took photos with our bare feet leaving footprints on the beach. The view of the lake from the top of the mountain is also very impressive.
2. Ashatu Ice and Stone Forest Ashatu Ice and Stone Forest Scenic Area, the unique landform there left a deep impression on me. We entered from the west gate of the scenic spot, first checked in at the visitor center, and then took the bus to the top of the mountain. At the top of the mountain we need to walk to different attractions. The ice stone forest in the first fairyland area is extraordinary and fantastic. Ice stones of various shapes are scattered all over the mountains, making you feel like you have entered a magical world. After we came out from there, we did not take a car down the mountain, but chose to walk to the attractions on the other side. Sure enough, the "line of sky" and "different cave sky" on the other side are also very spectacular, with steep mountains and icy rocks, and the scenery is very charming. This kind of landform with mountains and ice and rocks really gives people a feeling of traveling through time. It is highly recommended. We walked around the mountains for a whole day and saw so many amazing wonders of the Ice Stone Forest.
3. Xiwu Banner Xiwu Banner is also called "Route 99". Driving along Highway 99, I saw the extremely magnificent grassland scenery and was deeply shocked. Highway 99 is like a green ribbon, with shining green grassland on both sides. Under the sun, groups of cattle and sheep graze leisurely, and the reflections of clouds are dotted among them. This is the most pristine grassland I have ever seen, without many traces of commercial development. We also saw Genghis Khan’s Lookout Mountain, a legendary landmark on the way. And there are deer eating green grass on the road. The deer are so cute! Driving on the grassland road is really a peaceful enjoyment for the soul.
4. Ulagai Prairie Ulagai Prairie is one of the best-preserved natural grasslands in the world. It was once the filming location of the movie "Wolf Totem" and is also the habitat of prairie wolves. It was midsummer when we went, the grass on the grassland was very lush, and the wild flowers were blooming everywhere. In the grassland on the horizon, you can see the clouds close at hand, and the blue sky, white clouds, and green grass form a magnificent picture. We also went to Jiuqu Bay. This large river on the grassland is very spectacular and the water is winding. Standing on the edge of the bay and looking far away, the bay water is shining in the sun, and the blue sky and white clouds are reflected on the river. This vast grassland wetland scenery really makes people marvel at the miraculous craftsmanship of nature. If you have enough time, you can experience an in-depth grassland tour, see wolves up close in Yelang Valley, and experience horseback riding and archery and other activities.
5. Holingol Holingol is most famous for the Khan Mountain Scenic Area, where the stunning sculptures left a deep impression on me. We first entered through the gate of Khan Mountain. Above are the statues of two generals riding big horses. They are called the "Mongolian door gods" and are very imposing. Then walk along the 800-meter Canglang Road. On the road are 26 stone pillars, each of which is lifelike. When we came to the foot of the mountain, 800 terracotta warriors and horses sculptures appeared in front of us. The murderous scene was very shocking. Especially the giant statues of Genghis Khan and Kublai Khan on the top of the mountain are even more thrilling and their momentum is truly unforgettable. Through these sculptures, I seem to have traveled back in time and space to the prosperous days of the Mongolian and Yuan Dynasties, and personally felt the majestic momentum. Food: First of all, there is the mellow and rich salty milk tea, which is Inner Mongolia’s iconic drink. Made from local natural organic milk, it is full of milky aroma and is a taste memory of the grassland. I will have a bowl after every meal, especially in hot weather, the coolness of salty milk tea is super thirst-quenching. Then you can’t miss the hand-caught mutton. You can choose the fatness or leanness according to your preference on the spot, and then dip it in the special chili powder to enjoy. The tenderness of the mutton is easy to taste. A more authentic way to eat it is to sandwich the hand-caught mutton into Shaobing and eat it together. The Shaomai in Inner Mongolia is also very authentic, especially the mutton and green onion ones. They are very big, the skin is very thin, and the meat is full of juice when you bite into it. I must order it with every meal, and it must be paired with a bowl of rich haggis soup. If you want something sweet, yogurt cake is the best choice. The sour yogurt has a very special texture, and it tastes mellow and delicious. It is a delicacy that children also like very much. Of course, barbecue is also a must-eat in Inner Mongolia. Meat skewers, grilled fish, etc. are cooked on site and the ingredients are very fresh.
Paired with the special Dayaojia beer, it’s a perfect match!