Inner Mongolia really hides a 'Jiangnan beyond the Great Wall'! Duolun Lake

🌟 Must-try TOP 5
1️⃣ Lake circuit self-driving🚗: 30 km lakeside road (park anywhere for photos)
2️⃣ Desert off-roading🏜️: sand dune charging + sand sliding + camel riding (super thrilling)
3️⃣ Grassland camping🏕️: tents by the lake to watch the Milky Way (stars visible to the naked eye)
4️⃣ Whole fish feast🐟: freshly caught and cooked lake delicacies
5️⃣ Horseback crossing🐎: grassland + desert + lake three-in-one scenery

🎫 Ticket tips

💰 Ticket: 40 RMB (half price for students)
🚙 Off-road vehicle: 200 RMB/hour (seats 4 people)
🏕️ Camping: 50 RMB/tent (barbecue grill provided)
💡 Hidden benefit: sing Mongolian songs to waive the horse riding fee!

🚗 Transportation guide

📍 Location: Luanyuan Town, Duolun County, Inner Mongolia
🚗 Self-driving: 4 hours from Beijing (Jingjia Road + National Highway 510)
🚌 Bus: Duolun County Bus Station → Scenic area shuttle (once per hour)

🏨 Accommodation recommendations
🏡 Mongolian yurt: experience herder life (includes breakfast and dinner)
🏨 County hotel: Duolun Grand Hotel (cost-effective)

📸 Photo hotspots

1️⃣ Xishan Bay Viewing Platform (panoramic lake view)
2️⃣ Desert-lake junction (rare landform)
3️⃣ Dusk pasture (cattle and sheep returning scenes)
4️⃣ Tent under the starry sky (Milky Way as background)
5️⃣ S-curve on the lakeside road (great for car shots)

🍜 Must-eat food

🐟 Whole fish feast (carp/crucian carp/huazi fish)
🍢 Roasted whole lamb (advance reservation required)
🥛 Milk tea fried rice (Mongolian specialty)
🍶 Mare’s milk wine (experience the grassland spirit)

💡 Insider tips

☑️ Best season: July to September (summer resort)
☑️ Essential gear: sunscreen + sunglasses + jacket
☑️ Hidden activity: watch swans by the lake at dawn
☑️ Money-saving tip: buy a combo ticket to save 50 RMB compared to single tickets

🕒 2 days 1 night itinerary

Day 1: Lake circuit self-driving → Desert off-roading → Whole fish feast → Starry sky camping
Day 2: Horseback crossing → Visit herder’s home → Return trip