Xilingol Grassland

Covering a total area of 29,057.26 mu (1 mu ≈ 0.0667 hectares), the Xilingol Grassland shares borders with Mongolia to the north, the Horqin Grassland to the east, the Ulanchabu Grassland to the west, and Hebei Province’s Bashang Grassland to the south.One of the birthplaces of the Mongolian people, this grassland was the site of a key historical event: Genghis Khan’s grandson, Kublai Khan, took the throne here. He also set up the Yuan Dynasty—a major empire in Chinese history—and built Shangdu, the Yuan Dynasty’s summer capital. Today, nomadic cultural customs from five major Mongolian tribes (like the Ujumchin and Hujid tribes) are still kept alive on the grassland. It plays an important role in the Mongolian nation’s historical and cultural heritage.

Highlights of Xilingol Grassland

Ulagai Grassland

Ulagai Grassland

Located in Ulagai Management District, Ulagai Grassland is a well-preserved natural grassland. It gets its name from the Ulagai River and is known as the "Grassland at the Edge of the Sky".Here lies the stunning "Ulagai Nine-Bend Bay", where the winding river flows like a floating silk ribbon across the green grassland. The riverbank is covered with lush grass, and groups of cattle, sheep and horses roam around, creating a picturesque scene. The grassland became well-known because of "Wolf Totem", a Chinese film about the relationship between humans and wolves. Besides, there are other natural landscapes such as Ulagai Lake, Bulin Spring, Peony Valley and Birch Forest, as well as cultural attractions including Bulin Temple, Wild Wolf Valley and Corps Town. Visitors can enjoy the natural scenery here, experience the local unique folk customs, and take part in traditional grassland activities like horse riding and archery.

Duolun Lake Scenic Area

Duolun Lake

Located in Dahekou Township, Duolun County, this scenic area features a delightful blend of mountains, lakes and grasslands. The circumference of the lake is 41 kilometers, and along the lakeshore, visitors can enjoy views of landscapes like lakes, islands, grasslands and sandlands.The scenic area is equipped with attractions such as the Whale Island Viewing Platform, the Fishing Island Boardwalk and the Qiwang Corridor. Here, visitors can feel the gentle breeze, look out at the scenery and enjoy a pleasant and relaxed mood. In addition, visitors can take a boat tour on the lake to admire fish and watch birds, or ride horses on the green grass opposite the Yak Lake Wharf. With excellent water quality, Duolun Lake is rich in freshwater fish. Visitors can also taste the "Whole Fish Feast" with various cooking methods at Tianhu Fisherman's Village in the Beijing-North Grassland.

Core Cultural and Ecological Tourism Area of China's Horse Capital

Located on Nanjing Road, Southern Suburb Street, Xilinhot City, the scenic area has built a Horse Culture Performance Hall, indoor and outdoor racecourses, an equestrian club, a Horse Culture Museum, a Rider Hotel and other facilities, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the horse culture of Xilingol League. After nightfall, visitors can also wander around the Horse Capital Night Market to taste delicious food and buy cultural and creative products. The night market is also equipped with starry sky homestays, RV campsites, tent camping areas and other facilities to facilitate visitors' overnight stays.In addition, there is a large-scale indoor situational horse drama "Mongolian Horses" here. With its wonderful story, stunning visual effects, thrilling acrobatics and real horses participating in the performance, it can bring visitors an audio-visual feast.

Yuan Shangdu Ruins

Located at Wuyi Ranch, Zhenglan Banner, Shangdu Town, Xilingol League, the Yuan Shangdu Ruins were once the summer resort for emperors of the Yuan Dynasty. It used to be one of the political and cultural centers of the Yuan Dynasty; although only ruins remain today, they still let people feel the glory of that era. The ruins preserve numerous relics such as palaces, city walls and tombs. Visitors can walk around here, admire these ancient architectural relics and imagine the prosperous scene of the past. Meanwhile, the Jinlianchuan Grassland where the ruins are located is a beautiful meadow grassland. From the middle of July to the early part of August every year, golden lotus flowers bloom and stretch for hundreds of miles. They set off against the ruins, forming a unique picture that combines historical culture and natural landscape.

Educational Value

The Xilingol Grassland is one of China’s well-preserved grassland ecosystems, and it works as a "natural classroom" to learn about grassland plants, climate, biodiversity (like forage grass types, animals tied to nomads) and ecological balance. Learners can get to know its ecological jobs—such as stopping wind, fixing sand and adjusting climate—here. It also holds the Yuan Shangdu Ruins, which have seen how Mongol-Yuan culture developed and how different ethnic groups mixed. As an important carrier of nomadic civilization, it helps people understand the history and folk wisdom of northern ethnic minorities. In this way, people build awareness and responsibility for protecting ecology and passing on cultural diversity.

Activities to do at Xilingol Grassland

Watching cultural performances： At the Horse Culture Performance Hall of China's Horse Capital Tourist Scenic Area in Xilinhot, a live-action Mongolian horse drama is staged every night at 19:40. With the themes of production, life, warfare and love of people on the Mongolian grassland, it presents a grand grassland epic.