Skip the Xinjiang crowds! A 5-day family road trip to Ulan Butong for the National Day holiday is a total win
In Ulan Butong, autumn is truly a leisurely exhibition of colors. The birch forests turn completely yellow across the hillsides, colorful forests spread out in the valleys, rivers wind through golden meadows, and cattle and sheep slowly head back to their pens. Every few steps is a view, and every stop is wallpaper-worthy🍂
☀️Why is Ulan Butong a must-visit in autumn?
✅Incredibly rich autumn scenery, see all the northern autumn colors in one trip
It's not just grasslands here; there are birch forests, forests, valleys, lakes, and mountains. You can encounter different layers of autumn scenery in a single day
✅Maximum photo potential
Golden forests, sunset grasslands, cattle and sheep in the distance, winding mountain roads—everything looks great in photos
✅Amazing experience
You can drive through the heart of the grasslands, watch the sunrise and sunset, and it's very comfortable for walking around with kids
📅Best time for autumn foliage
🔹Mid-Sept – early Oct: Leaves turn golden, the grasslands are painted in autumn colors, peak season for colors!
🔹Mid-Oct onwards: Leaves fall, autumn vibes are vast and desolate, perfect for taking atmospheric photos~
🌤️Weather in Sept–Oct
🔸Sept: Daytime 15–20°C (large temperature difference between day and night), cold winds are strong in the morning and evening, occasional rain!
🔸Oct: Daytime 5–15°C, morning and evening near 0°C! Dry and windy, strong UV rays
👕Clothing tips
✅Layering is key! Wear a thin sweater/sweatshirt inside + a jacket (windbreaker/trench coat/denim jacket)
✅Must bring a down vest/light down jacket for morning and evening! You'll shiver when the wind blows😭
✅The trio of hat + sunglasses + scarf! Windproof, sun-protective, and great for photos~
✅Choose Martin boots/sneakers! Convenient for walking on grasslands, climbing slopes, and running on sand
📝Itinerary
🍁D1 | Beijing South Railway Station – Fengning
Arrive and rest, get your first impression of Bashang, and start your autumn journey at a slow pace
🍁D2 | Fengning – Site of Xanadu Museum – Autumn Harvest Farm – Mongolian Resort
Explore the cultural heritage of the thousand-year-old site, enjoy an immersive farm harvest experience, and stay at a unique Mongolian camp
🍁D3 | Hunshandake Sandland Off-roading – Agate Mountain – Ant Forest – Secret Trail Hiking – Ulan Butong
Hardcore off-roading through golden sand, searching for natural agate stones, checking in at the real Saxaul forest, and light hiking to unlock niche mountain secrets
🍁D4 | Grassland Camp Study Tour – Ewenki Reindeer Tribe – Saihanba Forest Crossing – Chengde Closing Dinner
Meet gentle reindeer, cross a million acres of colorful forests, and start a warm family closing party at night
🍁D5 | Chengde – Jinshanling Great Wall – Beijing Dismissal
Climb the Great Wall in autumn and see the vast landscape painted in autumn colors
📍Practical guide to core attractions
【Ulan Butong Scenic Area】
Address: Southern part of Hexigten Banner, Chifeng City, Inner Mongolia
Route: About 450 km from Beijing, 5–6 hours by car; or take the high-speed train to Chengde South Station and then charter a car/drive for 3 hours
Parking: There is a large parking lot at the entrance of the scenic area, and roadside parking is available at various spots
Tickets: The pass includes major attractions and is valid for 3 days (please refer to the scenic area's daily announcement for details)
Activities: Highlights include birch forests, the Film and Television Base, General Paozi, and Panlong Canyon. It is recommended to go to the Film and Television Base in the early morning to watch the sunrise and go to General Paozi in the evening to photograph the sunset
Note: It is windy and has a large temperature difference in autumn. When driving, watch out for hidden pits in the grassland and try to stick to the main roads
【Site of Xanadu Museum】
Address: Zhenglan Banner, Xilin Gol League (on the way from Fengning to Ulan Butong)
Route: Direct navigation by car, free parking available
Tickets: Reservation required, includes the site area and museum
Activities: Explore the thousand-year history of the Mongol Empire, the museum has rich exhibits, and the surrounding grassland ruins are suitable for strolling
Note: Keep an eye on children, the site area is large, it is recommended to set aside 2 hours
【Hunshandake Sandland】
Address: West side of Ulan Butong
Route: Requires an off-road vehicle or a local guide to enter
Activities: Cross the golden sand, pick up agate stones, and check in at the Ant Forest Saxaul forest
Note: The sand dunes are steep, ordinary cars are easy to get stuck, be sure to find an experienced driver to lead the way
【Jinshanling Great Wall】
Address: Luanping County, Chengde
Route: 2 hours by car from Beijing, or 1.5 hours by chartered car from Chengde
Tickets: Regular ticket purchase for entry, beautiful autumn scenery
Activities: Climb to the top to enjoy the Great Wall in autumn, fewer people and vast scenery, suitable for climbing slowly with parents and children
Note: The steps are steep, wear non-slip shoes, and add clothes as it is cold in the morning and evening
🏨Accommodation review
【Mongolian Resort (Fengning/Bashang)】
Price range: 300–500 CNY/room in low season, slightly higher during National Day
Environment: Grassland-style yurts or wooden cabins, with heating inside, open grasslands around, can see the starry sky
Highlights: Immersive nomadic experience, bonfire parties, suitable for families, the owner often takes guests to niche spots for photos
【Ulan Butong Grassland Camp】
Price range: 400–600 CNY/room, breakfast included
Environment: Close to the core of the scenic area, see the grassland when you open the window, some have floor heating
Highlights: Convenient for watching the sunrise, the owner can arrange off-road vehicles for tours, reindeer interaction requires an extra tip
【Chengde City Hotel】
Price range: 200–400 CNY/room
Environment: Convenient transportation in the city, plenty of food and drink nearby
Highlights: Comfortable as a transit point, stay one night in the city after visiting Jinshanling, convenient for resting
🍴Where to eat
【Bashang Youmian Village (Fengning)】
Address: Main Street, Datan Town, Fengning
Environment: Farmhouse style, clean and lively, with kang tables
Experience: Try oat noodles (Youmian), hand-grabbed meat, and milk tea. Portions are generous. It's crowded during National Day, so you may need to wait; avoid peak meal times
Hours: 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM
【Ulan Butong Impression Restaurant】
Address: Commercial street at the entrance of the scenic area
Environment: Modern and simple, warm, good for photos
Experience: Recommend iron pot stew and roasted lamb leg. Average price is moderate, homemade yogurt is available, taste is northern style, mention dietary restrictions in advance
Hours: All day
【Chengde Old Street Snacks】
Address: Shuangqiao District, Chengde
Environment: Street-side shops, down-to-earth
Experience: Try donkey rolls (Lvdagun) and bowl jelly (Wantuo), cheap and filling, suitable as a late-night snack
Hours: Before 10:00 PM
🚗Travel tips
Driving from Beijing is the smoothest, about 450 km in total, fuel and toll fees are at your own expense. You can take the high-speed train to Chengde South, then charter/rent a car to enter the grasslands. For local off-road experiences, find a legitimate guide for safety and reliability. It gets dark early on the grasslands in autumn, so try to travel during the day. It's suitable for both kids and parents, with a slow pace that isn't tiring. Remember to bring plenty of warm clothes; it's windy, so don't forget sun protection. This trip is much more comfortable than squeezing into Xinjiang, highly recommended!