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Inner Mongolia Grasslands: Top 5 Grassland Destinations

Written by Celine Schneider|Updated: 2025-05-26

When it comes to experiencing China's most breathtaking natural wonders, Inner Mongolia's grasslands stand in a class of their own. Spanning thousands of miles across northern China, these vast prairies paint an endless canvas of green that changes with every season.

Unlike the crowded tourist spots of big cities, these grasslands offer a rare chance to experience one of Asia's last great wild spaces, where the horizon stretches unbroken in every direction.

Choosing where to go among Inner Mongolia's many grasslands might feel overwhelming at first. Each prairie has its own special charm, from the world-famous Hulunbuir's lush summer grass to the quiet beauty of Ulan Butong's remote valleys.

Some grasslands buzz with festival activities and comfortable tourist facilities, while others remain peacefully untouched, showing life as it has been for centuries.

To help you plan an amazing trip, we've selected the top 5 grassland destinations in Inner Mongolia perfect for an unforgettable exploration.

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  • triangleTop 5 Loved Inner Mongolia Grasslands by Travelers
  • triangle1. Hulunbuir Grassland
  • triangle2. Xilingol Grassland
  • triangle3. Huitengxile Grassland
  • triangle4. Xilamuren Grassland - Best for First Timer
  • triangle5. Ulan Butong Grassland
  • triangleExplore the Inner Mongolia with Asia Odyssey Travel

Top 5 Loved Inner Mongolia Grasslands by Travelers

Happy Farm at Huitengxile Grassland
Happy Farm at Huitengxile Grassland
Morigele River
Morigele River

Inner Mongolia's grasslands are mainly found in the northern part of China. They cover large areas of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. These huge grasslands stretch for many miles.

The grasslands have special features. They are vast, open plains with lots of grass. The land can be flat or have rolling hills. Many kinds of animals and plants live here. The air is often very fresh and clean. These grasslands are important for the environment.

Visiting Inner Mongolia's grasslands is a unique trip. Tourists can see the traditional nomadic way of life.

People can stay in yurts, which are round tents. Riding horses is a very popular activity. Visitors can also enjoy local food and watch cultural shows. The Naadam Festival, with wrestling and racing, is a big highlight.

Grassland Location Travel Highlights
Hulunbuir Grassland Northeast Inner Mongolia, Hulunbuir City Hulun Lake, Ergun Wetland, Morigele River, Manzhouli
Xilingol Grassland Central Inner Mongolia, Xilin Gol League It is a protected nature area. Good for seeing traditional Mongolian life.
Xilamuren Grassland Baotou City near Hohhot City Best for First timer
Huitengxile Grassland Ulanqab City, Chahar Right Middle Banner Alpine meadow with 99 natural lakes (Ninety-Nine Springs). Features Asia's largest wind farm.
Ulan Butong Grassland Chifeng City, Hexigten Banner Has hills, lakes, and forests. Good for photos. Was a royal hunting area.

Related Article:Inner Mongolia Attractions: 10 Best Things to Do

1. Hulunbuir Grassland

Horse Riding on Hulunbuir Grassland
Horse Riding on Hulunbuir Grassland
Morigele River
Morigele River

Hulunbuir Grassland is one of China's most magical places. Endless green fields, wild horses running freely, and skies so blue they look painted. Every year, over 2 million visitors.

This grassland is huge—bigger than Hungary! It covers 100,000+ square kilometers in northeastern Inner Mongolia, near Russia and Mongolia. The grass turns bright green, flowers bloom, and locals celebrate the Naadam Festival with horse races and wrestling.

People love Hulunbuir for its untouched beauty. Summer (June-August) turns it into a green sea with wildflowers and galloping horses. The Naadam Festival (July) lets you watch horse races, wrestling, and archery.

Related Article:Best Time to Visit Inner Mongolia: Weather & Travel Tips for 12 Months

Where to go in Hulunbuir Grassland?

Erguna Wetland
Erguna Wetland
Erguna Wetland
Erguna Wetland

The grassland is huge, but most visitors focus on:

Morigele River Grassland (Central): Called the "Most Beautiful River Bend" for its winding river views.

Ergun Wetlands (Northeast): Asia's largest wetland, stunning for sunset photos.

Aoluguya Reindeer Village (North): Meet China's last reindeer-herding tribe.

How to Visit Hulunbuir Grassland

You don't need to see everything: 3–4 days are enough. Rent a car or join a small tour to explore freely. Spend mornings horseback riding, afternoons visiting nomadic families, and evenings stargazing by bonfires.

How to Get to: Hulunbuir is about 2 hours by car from Hailar or Manzhouli, which have airports connecting to major cities like Beijing.

2. Xilingol Grassland

Xilingol Grassland
Xilingol Grassland
Xilingol Grassland
Xilingol Grassland

Want to see endless green fields under a big blue sky? Xilingol Grassland is the place for you! This grassland is famous for its wild beauty, clean air, and traditional Mongolian life. It's one of the China's four largest grasslands. Spread across 180,000 sq km.

Top Spots

The best areas are West Ujimqin, East Ujimqin, and Ulagai. Ulagai is the most beautiful part. Ulagai sits between Xilingol and Hulunbuir grasslands, offering views so perfect you. Visit Ulagai Lake—drive around it (25 km) for free! Take photos of the water and hills.

Climb Hanggal Ao Bao, a small hill near the lake's south side. It takes 20 minutes to reach the top. The view from here is amazing! Don't miss Ulagai Nine Bends, a river that looks like a silver ribbon.

Best Time to Visit & How to Explore

Xilingol Grassland Naadam Festival
Xilingol Grassland Naadam Festival
Xilingol Grassland Naadam Festival
Xilingol Grassland Naadam Festival

Visit June to August for bright green landscapes and sunny days. Rent a car in Ulagai to explore freely. Drive around the lake, hike small hills, or fly a drone over the Nine Bends. Stay in a Mongolian yurt at night for starry skies and local meals like lamb BBQ.

How to Get to Xilingol Grassland

Ulagai's key spots are closer to Huolinguole City (Tongliao, Inner Mongolia) than Xilinhot. Fly or take a train to Huolinguole, then rent a car or hire a driver. Roads are quiet and easy to navigate.

3. Huitengxile Grassland

Make milk tea at Huitengxile Grassland
Make milk tea at Huitengxile Grassland
Peaceful Huitengxile Grassland
Peaceful Huitengxile Grassland

Want to walk on a flower carpet under giant wind turbines? Huitengxile Grassland is your dream spot! Huitengxile Grassland is perfect for those who love flowers, photos, and fresh air.

Known as the "Cool Grassland," it's famous for its summer breeze, colorful wildflowers, and endless green views. People love it for its mix of nature and modern energy—giant windmills spin above fields of yellow, purple, and pink flowers.

Top Highlights & How to Explore

Train ride under big winds at Yellow Flower Valley, Huitengxile
Train ride under big winds at Yellow Flower Valley, Huitengxile
Peaceful moments at Yellow Flower Valley
Peaceful moments at Yellow Flower Valley

The heart of Huitengxile is Huanghua Gully. This valley has strange rock shapes, small streams, and flower fields. Walk here for 2-3 hours—it's free! Don't miss the Wind Farm, where hundreds of white wind turbines stand like giants.

Take photos of them with the flowers below. For fun, ride horses with local herders or sleep in a cozy yurt. At night, join bonfire parties with singing and dancing.

Shows:

Welcome guests with Hada, Zhama Banquet of Huitengxile
Welcome guests with Hada, Zhama Banquet of Huitengxile
Horse Riding, Huitengxile Grassland
Horse Riding, Huitengxile Grassland

  • “Xianghui Aobao” Show: Daily at 11:00, 14:00, and 15:30 (1 hour each). Features singing, dancing, acrobatics, horse riding, and wrestling. Colorful costumes and exciting performances!
  • Horse Show: 10:30, 12:30, 14:00, 15:30 (25 minutes each). Fast riding and stunts.

Start at the South Gate. Watch a fun show first. Then take the mini train—it's like a fairy tale! Slide down grass hills (extra cost) near the train stop. Walk or take a cable car down to the valley. See clear streams and white birch forests.

Hop on a horse-drawn cart to Huanghua Town. Pet animals or try go-karts here. Finally, hike up the geopark. The rocks and canyons are amazing!

How to Get There

Huitengxile is near Ulanqab City, Inner Mongolia. From Hohhot (the capital), take a bus or drive 2 hours (about 100 km).

4. Xilamuren Grassland - Best for First Timer

White Sheep at Green Xilamuren Grassland
White Sheep at Green Xilamuren Grassland
Xilamuren Grassland
Xilamuren Grassland

New to Mongolian grasslands? Xilamuren Grassland is perfect for you. Just a short 90-minute drive from Hohhot city, this gentle prairie welcomes many first-time visitors. The clean mountain air and easy access make it very popular with families and busy travelers who want a quick taste of grassland life.

The small but lively grassland offers everything you'd expect from Mongolia. Green hills stretch as far as you can see, and colorful yurt tents dot the landscape.

You can ride horses through soft grass, sleep under starry skies, and watch local people wrestle or race horses during small festivals. The sunsets here are magical, turning the whole prairie golden.

What to Do in Xilamuren Grassland

Take a a ritual walk around Hongge Er Aobao
Take a a ritual walk around Hongge Er Aobao
Wind horses & Yurts, Xilamuren Grassland
Wind horses & Yurts, Xilamuren Grassland

  • At the heart of Xilamuren stands Aobao Hill. Leave a small rock here for good luck, like the herders do.
  • Join nightly bonfires at yurt camps—dance, eat roast lamb, and try sweet milk wine.
  • For culture lovers, visit Puhui Temple, a 400-year-old Tibetan Buddhist temple with colorful prayer flags.
  • Come in July or August to see the Naadam Festival. Ride horses freely or cheer for racers!

How to Get to Xilamuren Grassland from Hohhot

Drive 1.5 hours from Hohhot or book a day tour. Tours include horse riding, archery, and lazy picnics. Stay overnight in a yurt (¥300-500) for the full experience. Contact Asia Odyssey Travel now! You don't need to plan much - just come and enjoy the simple prairie life.

Related Article:Beijing to Hohhot Bullet Train: 2-3 Hrs Fastest Train Ride

5. Ulan Butong Grassland

Ulan Butong Grassland is a popular place for visitors. Many people like it. It is in Chifeng City, Inner Mongolia, China. It has hills, lakes, and forests. And makes the scenery look like European prairies.

Long ago, Ulan Butong was part of the Mulan Paddock. This was a hunting ground for the Qing Dynasty royal family. Because of its beautiful and unique views, many movies and TV shows have been filmed here.

What to See in Ulan Butong Grassland

Ulan Butong Grassland
Ulan Butong Grassland
Ulan Butong Grassland
Ulan Butong Grassland

When people visit Ulan Butong, they usually head to certain key areas.

The Hongshan Military Horse Ranch is a core part, offering those lovely European-style grassland views.

Princess Lake is well-loved for its beautiful, shimmering water and the reflections you can see.

Other popular spots to check out include Panlong Valley, Huamugou National Forest Park, and Wucai Mountain (which means Five Colored Mountain), particularly in the autumn.

The Ulan Butong Film and TV Studio is another place people often visit, known for its morning fog. Jiangjun Paozi, or General's Lake, is another famous spot that's connected to that historical battle.

How to Explore

Many visitors prefer hiring a local driver-guide from Chifeng, as they know the best spots and can introduce you to friendly herder families.

While getting here takes more effort than visiting grasslands near Beijing, the reward is seeing real grassland life without tourist crowds.

How to Get to Ulan Butong Grassland

To reach Ulan Butong, first take a train or flight to Chifeng city, then catch a local bus for a four-hour ride to Ulan Butong town.

Related Article:How to Plan a Inner Mongolia Trip (With Itinerary): 8 Easy Steps

Explore the Inner Mongolia with Asia Odyssey Travel

We are Asia Odyssey Travel, your dedicated China travel specialists over 10+ years, offering authentic expertise and local insights for your first, or fiftieth, visit to the captivating region of Inner Mongolia. We craft journeys that go beyond the ordinary.

What we offer:

10+ Inner Mongolia Tours Packages - Grasslands, deserts, Naadam Festivals & cultural wonders.

Custom & City Trips: Your perfect Hohhot, Ordos, Grassland, Badain Jaran Desert or Singapore-origin tour.

Your Quick Travel Toolkit:

Guides & Planning: Inner Mongolia Guide • Plan Your Trip • Best Time •Things to Do • Maps • Beijing to Inner Mongolia.

Key Spots: 5 Best Grasslands - Badain Jaran Desert.

Let's venture into Inner Mongolia – a realm of endless horizons and unforgettable cultural encounters!

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