Live Your Best Lives
Jinshanling Great Wall
Lightning River in Guyuan County, Hebei Province
The golden lotus in full bloom in Puning Temple, Chengde
Yuanmingyuan From late July to early August 2025, Ali joined a tour group to visit Hebei and Inner Mongolia, passing through Beijing and Henan on the way back. During this summer trip to northern China, Ali thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful scenery.
Our tour bus departed from Wuhan, Hubei, and headed north. After entering Hebei, Li and his group visited the Wahuang Palace in She County, Handan City, and the Guangfu Ancient City in the city; the Zhaozhou Bridge in Zhao County, Shijiazhuang City, and Xibaipo in Pingshan County; Baili Gorge in Yeshanpo, Laishui County, Baoding City; the Dajingmen Great Wall in Zhangjiakou City, and the Kulun Nur Tourist Resort and Luanhe Shenyun Scenic Area in Guyuan County. Wahuang Palace Next, we entered Inner Mongolia from Guyuan County, Hebei Province, visiting the Yuan Dynasty Shangdu Ruins in Zhenglan Banner, Xilin Gol League, Central Mongolia; Beizi Temple, Aobao Park, Xilin Jiuqu, and Pingdingshan Volcanic Geological Park in Xilinhot City; and then traveled to the Ulanbutong Grassland in Keshiketeng Banner, Chifeng City, Eastern Mongolia, where we visited Princess Lake, Jiangjun Paozi, and the Ulanbutong Film and Television Base. Then, we traveled south from Inner Mongolia to Chengde City, Hebei Province. We first visited Saihanba in Weichang County, where we visited the Saihanba Exhibition Hall and Shenlongtan. We then continued on to Chengde City, where we visited the Chengde Museum, Putuo Zongcheng Temple, the Mountain Resort, and Puning Temple. We also climbed the Jinshanling Great Wall in Luanping County, Chengde. After our visit to Chengde, we drove east to Qinhuangdao City on the Bohai Sea. We visited the Golden Coast of Changli County, went to Shanhaiguan and Laolongtou, and visited Dove Nest Park. This concluded our Hebei and Inner Mongolia trip, and we began our return journey. We stopped in Beijing for a day. It was a free day, allowing us to choose our own destinations. Li spent the day wandering around the Old Summer Palace and the Summer Palace, taking in the beauty of the imperial gardens. On our way south from Beijing, we stopped for a night in Xuchang, Henan. Having long heard of Pang Donglai's fame, we visited its Angel City branch at night and witnessed its incredibly popular scene. The next day, we returned to Wuhan from Xuchang. Our summer trip to northern China had concluded successfully. Ah Li's seventeen-day summer vacation allowed him to fully enjoy the northern summer scenery, leaving him with an unforgettable memory. Ah Li's most unforgettable northern scenery included a Chinese ancestral temple, two ancient stone bridges, three imperial gardens, four sections of the fortified Great Wall, and five expanses of vibrant grassland. Why are they so unforgettable? Let Ah Li explain. A Chinese Ancestral Temple A Chinese Ancestral Temple The Wahuang Palace in She County, Handan City, Hebei Province, is known as the Chinese Ancestral Temple. It was the first stop on our summer tour of northern China. The Wahuang Palace is the largest, oldest, and most influential ancient architectural complex dedicated to Nüwa in my country. It is one of the five major ancestral worship sites in my country. Construction began in the Northern Qi Dynasty and has a history of over 1,400 years. Its core building is the Wahuang Pavilion, built at the foot of the cliffs of Zhonghuang Mountain. The story of Nuwa is well-known to all Chinese people: Legend has it that Nuwa, our ancestor of the Chinese people, created humans from mud. Later, when the sky collapsed and the earth collapsed, devastating all life, she forged stones to mend the sky and save humanity. Ah Li originally thought the legend was just a legend, but unexpectedly, in Shexian County, the legend took shape: at the foot of the cliffs of Zhonghuang Mountain, a four-story temple nestled against the cliffs stands majestically—the Wahuang Pavilion, housing a statue of Nuwa. Legend has it that it was here that Nuwa molded humans from clay and forged stones to mend the sky. After entering the scenic area, we walked along the Eighteen Bends Mountain Path, passing Chaoyuan Palace, Tingcang Palace, and Guangsheng Palace, arriving at the expansive Butian Square. Here, a nine-meter-tall white marble statue of Nuwa stands. The statue faces the emerald Butian Lake, with its back to the Wahuang Pavilion on Zhonghuang Mountain. We walked past Bu Tian Square and began climbing the zigzagging path towards the Wahuang Pavilion. Drenched in sweat, Ah Li finally arrived at the Wahuang Pavilion, adorned with carved beams and painted rafters. Ascending from the first to the fourth floor, Ah Li was captivated by the pavilion's bold and ingenious design, nestled against the cliff. Standing upstairs, overlooking the mountains and lakes in the distance, Ah Li exclaimed, "This truly is a place of natural beauty!" Legend has it that Nuwa molded clay to create humans and refined stones to mend the sky here—there's a reason for that! Two Ancient Stone Bridges After visiting the Wahuang Palace, we continued north to visit two ancient stone arch bridges in Hebei—the Hongji Bridge and the Anji Bridge, known as the Sister Bridges. The Hongji Bridge lies east of the Guangfu Ancient City in Handan City, spanning the Fuyang River. While the exact date and builder of the Hongji Bridge remain uncertain, it's rumored to have been built during the Sui Dynasty and rebuilt during the Wanli reign of the Ming Dynasty. Its structure is essentially the same as the Anji Bridge, but it's not as famous. The Anji Bridge, also known as the Zhaozhou Bridge, is located in Zhao County, Shijiazhuang City. It spans the Xiao River. Designed and built by Li Chun, a craftsman from the Sui Dynasty, over 1,400 years ago, it is the world's oldest, best-preserved, most technologically advanced, and most artistically beautiful ancient stone arch bridge, earning it the nickname "The Best Bridge Under Heaven." In his article "Stone Arch Bridges of my country," renowned Chinese bridge expert Mao Yisheng praised the Zhaozhou Bridge's high technical level and enduring artistic value. This article, published in the 1960s, was quickly included in Chinese language textbooks for primary and secondary schools and remains a classic text in Chinese language textbooks today. This text has ingrained the name of Zhaozhou Bridge into the hearts of Chinese people—Ah Li also learned about the Zhaozhou Bridge from a young age thanks to this text. Both the Hongji Bridge and the Anji Bridge (Zhaozhou Bridge) are single-span, open-shoulder stone arch bridges constructed of bluestone. Both bridges have a single, bow-like arch, with two smaller arches on either shoulder. This design is both aesthetically pleasing and conserves stone, reducing the weight of the bridge. It also increases the flow rate of the bridge arch during high water levels—a truly ingenious move by the designers! We first visited the Hongji Bridge in Handan City and the next day visited the Anji Bridge (Zhaozhou Bridge) in Zhao County, Shijiazhuang. Before visiting the Hongji Bridge, few of us knew its name. As we drove through the ancient city of Guangfu, surrounded by water, our driver took us first to Ganlu Temple, a thousand-year-old temple just outside the city. Legend has it that the third princess of Emperor Yang of Sui became a nun here, ultimately achieving enlightenment and becoming the Yangzhi Guanyin. We then visited Hongji Bridge, explaining that this ancient stone bridge is a nationally protected cultural relic and the sister bridge of Anji Bridge, also known as Zhaozhou Bridge. This was the first time Ah Li had heard of the Zhaozhou Bridge, and she was intrigued. As we approached, we discovered that the Hongji Bridge's appearance was identical to the image Ah Li had of the Zhaozhou Bridge. As we walked up Hongji Bridge, we felt its antiquity: the stone paved surface was uneven, with some potholes and some collapsed, with iron bars connecting adjacent stones. The inner side railings on either side of the bridge were carved with images of tigers, deer, qilins, floral ornaments, and folk allusions. The tops of the watchtowers were topped with stone carvings of lions, monkeys, peaches, and pomegranates—all exquisite, though some were damaged. Hongji Bridge, this ancient stone arch bridge, has withstood the ravages of time, the impact of floods, the damage of earthquakes, and the baptism of war - especially during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, when the Japanese occupied the bridge, dug up the western part of the bridge, built bunkers on it, and transformed the small arches at both ends of the bridge into prisons to detain rebels, blocking the bridge from passage. However, neither natural disasters nor man-made disasters could destroy the Hongji Bridge—it still stands majestically on the Fuyang River, displaying its graceful presence. Ah Li felt a surge of respect for it. The morning after our visit to the Hongji Bridge, we visited the renowned Anji Bridge, also known as the Zhaozhou Bridge. The Anji Bridge (Zhaozhou Bridge) is identical in appearance to the Hongji Bridge, with vivid relief carvings on its side railings and stone carvings on its balusters. However, the Anji Bridge (Zhaozhou Bridge) is slightly longer and wider than the Hongji Bridge. 
Xuchang Pangdonglai Angel City Branch
People age easily, but this bridge never ages!
Bless the Hongji Bridge! Bless the Anji Bridge! May they remain forever youthful!
Three Imperial Gardens
These three imperial gardens are the Mountain Resort in Chengde and the Old Summer Palace and the Summer Palace in Beijing. All of them are imperial gardens of the Qing Dynasty, bearing witness to both the prosperity of the Kangxi and Qianlong reigns in the early Qing Dynasty and the turbulent times of the late Qing Dynasty. It can be said that the history of their rise and fall is the history of the rise and fall of the Qing Dynasty.
Ah Li first visited the Chengde Mountain Resort, then the Old Summer Palace and the Summer Palace in Beijing.
The Mountain Resort is the largest, covering approximately 564 hectares, making it the world's largest extant classical imperial garden. The Old Summer Palace is second, at approximately 350 hectares. The Summer Palace is the smallest, at approximately 293 hectares.
Construction of the Mountain Resort began in 1703, the 42nd year of the reign of Emperor Kangxi, and was completed in 1792 through the efforts of the Kangxi, Yongzheng, and Qianlong emperors. It is divided into a palace area and a garden area, with over 120 groups of buildings nestled among the mountains, water, and vegetation. Ah Li spent the entire morning exploring only a small portion of the palace and garden areas. Outside the walls of the Mountain Resort, there are twelve imperial temples, five of which are currently open. Ah Li visited two of them: the Putuo Zongcheng Temple and the Puning Temple.
Putuo Zongcheng Temple is a hybrid of Han and Tibetan architecture. Along the central axis, the front section features the mountain gate, stele pavilion, five-tower gate, and glazed memorial archway, all in Han architectural style. The main building in the back section is the Dahongtai, modeled after the Red Palace of the Potala Palace. The main hall, "All Things Return to One," boasts a golden roof gilded with over 10,000 taels of fine gold leaf. This temple is therefore known as the Little Potala Palace. Emperor Qianlong once met here with the leader of the Torghut tribe, Wubaxi, and his entourage who had returned from a long journey eastward. Putuo Zongcheng Temple
Putuo Zongcheng Temple
Putuo Zongcheng Temple
Putuo Zongcheng Temple
The golden roof of Putuo Zongcheng Temple
The golden roof of Putuo Zongcheng Temple
Ground-Sprouting Golden Lotus
Golden lotus flowers blooming from the ground
Golden lotus flowers blooming from the groundThe Old Summer Palace is actually composed of three gardens: the Old Summer Palace, the Eternal Spring Garden, and the Old Summer Palace. The Old Summer Palace is the largest, hence the collective name. Construction began in 1709, the 48th year of the reign of Emperor Kangxi. It was expanded during the reigns of Emperors Yongzheng and Qianlong, and was essentially completed in 1770, the 35th year of the Qianlong reign. Combining the essence of Jiangnan gardens with Western architectural style, it is known as the "Garden of Gardens" and the "Versailles of the East."
The former Old Summer Palace
The former Old Summer Palace
The former Old Summer Palace
The Old Summer Palace
The Current Old Summer Palace
The Current Old Summer Palace
The Old Summer Palace today 
The Summer Palace, formerly known as the Qingyi Garden, was built in 1750, the 15th year of Emperor Qianlong's reign, and completed in 1764, the 29th year of his reign. Comprising Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake, the garden boasts over 100 buildings, over 20 courtyards, and over 3,000 ancient structures, creating a vast natural landscape garden. 
Summer Palace
Summer Palace
Summer Palace
Summer Palace
Summer Palace
Summer Palace
Summer Palace
Summer Palace
Summer PalaceHow did the Qingyi Garden later become the Summer Palace? This is related to the destiny of the Qing Dynasty. During the Kangxi and Qianlong reigns, the Chengde Mountain Resort served as the Qing rulers' summer retreat. Beijing's Old Summer Palace and the Qingyi Garden, along with the Jingming Garden, Jingyi Garden, and Changchun Garden, served as places of enjoyment for the rulers. As China's power declined, the Mountain Resort became a refuge for the rulers, while the Old Summer Palace, the Qingyi Garden, the Jingming Garden, Jingyi Garden, and Changchun Garden became looting grounds for Western powers. In October 1860, the British and French allied forces invaded Beijing. Emperor Xianfeng, accompanied by Empress Dowager Cixi, Empress Dowager Ci'an, his six-year-old eldest son, Zaichun, and some of his ministers, fled to the Chengde Mountain Resort for refuge. The British and French forces gained access to the Old Summer Palace, the Qingyi Garden, the Jingming Garden, Jingyi Garden, and Changchun Garden, first looting them and then setting them on fire. The five imperial gardens were reduced to ruins. Ultimately, Emperor Xianfeng signed the humiliating and unequal treaty at the Chengde Mountain Resort. He died there shortly thereafter, becoming the second emperor to do so—the first being Emperor Jiaqing. His eldest son, Zaichun, ascended the throne as Emperor Tongzhi. Tongzhi's mother, Empress Dowager Cixi, rose to power through the Xinyou Coup, beginning a nearly half-century-long regency. In 1873, Emperor Tongzhi ordered the reconstruction of the Old Summer Palace, ostensibly to provide for the Empress Dowagers. However, due to an empty treasury, construction was halted less than ten months after it began. In 1875, Emperor Tongzhi died, and Emperor Guangxu ascended the throne. In 1888, Emperor Guangxu ordered the reconstruction of the Qingyi Garden, intended as a place for Empress Dowager Cixi to retire, and renamed it the Summer Palace. But how could he rebuild without funds? One solution was to assign the restoration of the Summer Palace to the Navy, allowing naval funds to be used to fund the Summer Palace's restoration. However, this also laid the groundwork for the annihilation of the Beiyang Fleet during the First Sino-Japanese War. In 1900, the Eight-Nation Alliance invaded Beijing, burning, looting, and committing all manner of atrocities. Empress Dowager Cixi and her entourage fled again. However, this time, they fled not to the Chengde Mountain Resort, but to Xi'an—they felt the resort was too close to Beijing and unsafe. The Eight-Nation Alliance not only looted the Forbidden City but also plundered and destroyed the Summer Palace, though they refrained from burning it. Although the Old Summer Palace had been in ruins for decades, it could not escape further destruction by the invaders. In 1902, Empress Dowager Cixi returned to Beijing from Xi'an and immediately allocated vast sums of money to repair the devastated Summer Palace, but the restoration was incomplete.
As history rolled on to the summer of 2025, Ali had the privilege of visiting the Chengde Mountain Resort, and the Old Summer Palace and Summer Palace in Beijing. As he toured, Ali asked himself: Why did the Qing Dynasty rulers build so many large imperial gardens? And why did the British and French forces, after looting five of Beijing's imperial gardens, burn them all to the ground?
To this day, Ali has yet to find the answers to either of these questions. The Great Wall is the pinnacle of ancient Chinese military defense engineering and one of the greatest ancient engineering projects in the world. It is an important symbol of Chinese civilization and a symbol of the Chinese national spirit. A great man once wrote in "Qing Ping Yue: Liupan Mountain": "He who has not climbed the Great Wall is not a true man." Climbing the Great Wall has become a dream for many people—Ali is no exception.
What excited Ali the most about this northern trip was that we climbed the Great Wall four times, from western Hebei to eastern Hebei.
Our first climb was at Dajingmen Great Wall in Zhangjiakou, Hebei.
Dajingmen is a famous pass on the Great Wall, alongside Shanhaiguan, Jiayuguan, and Juyongguan. It is the only pass along the Great Wall named after a gate and is known as the "First Gate of the Great Wall." It guards the northern gate of Beijing.
When we climbed the tower, where the four characters "Great Rivers and Mountains" were inscribed on the lintel, it was drizzling and the temperature was low. After a while, the rain stopped. We took off our raincoats and strolled along the expansive Dajingmen Tower, taking in the stunning scenery. The tower sits between two mountains: East Taiping Mountain, shrouded in lush trees and shrouded in mist; West Taiping Mountain, where the Great Wall winds its way along the slopes. This pass is truly a formidable fortress, one man standing against ten thousand! Ali then climbed a section of the Great Wall on West Taiping Mountain, reaching the summit to view the beacon towers before happily descending. Our second climb was to the Jinshanling Great Wall in Luanping, Chengde. Every morning when CCTV plays the national anthem, the Great Wall that appears in the background is the Jinshanling Great Wall. Construction began in the first year of the Hongwu reign of the Ming Dynasty (1368 AD) under the leadership of Xu Da, a founding father of the Ming Dynasty. In the first year of the Longqing reign (1567 AD), Qi Jiguang, then the commander-in-chief of Jizhen and a renowned anti-Japanese general, undertook a large-scale reconstruction and expansion of Xu Da's wall, transforming it into a formidable defensive fortification that safeguarded the capital's vital region. The Jinshanling Great Wall is the best-preserved section of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall, renowned for its expansive views, densely packed watchtowers, unique landscape, exquisite architecture, and comprehensive military defense system. It earned the reputation of "The Great Wall, Jinshan's Unique Beauty." We entered the Jinshanling Great Wall scenic area through the middle gate. After passing the ticket gate, Ah Li saw a towering statue of Qi Jiguang standing tall in the square. Qi Jiguang, clad in military uniform, stood on the wall with the inscription "Jinshanling" inscribed on it, a cannon beside him. He clenched his fist in one hand, held a telescope in the other, and gazed northward. When we reached the brick parapet at the entrance to the Great Wall, a statue of Qi Jiguang on horseback appeared before us on the platform in front of the pass. Ah Li recalled his trip to Fujian this past May, where he had also seen a towering stone statue of Qi Jiguang standing by the seashore in the ancient city of Chongwu on the Chongwu Peninsula in Hui'an, Quanzhou, gazing eastward at the vast ocean. It seemed that people in both the south and the north had not forgotten General Qi Jiguang, who fought against Japanese pirates and defended his country. Entering the Jinshanling Great Wall from the parapet, you can take either the eastern or western route. Ah Li, like most tourists, chose to climb eastward. Built of brick and stone, the wall stands about seven meters high, six meters wide at the base, and five meters at the top. It's remarkably spacious and sturdy. As we walked along the Great Wall, we also followed the mountain ridge. Surrounding us were emerald green peaks. Under the beautiful sun, the Jinshanling Great Wall undulated and twisted through the emerald green mountains, resembling a galloping dragon. Climbing the Jinshanling Great Wall, even with the aid of two trekking poles, Ah Li's legs were still shaking and sweating profusely. Despite this, Ah Li persevered until he reached the General's Tower, perched majestically atop the main peak. He initially intended to continue, but most people stopped at the General's Tower, so Ah Li decided to leave with a satisfied heart. 
Zhangjiakou Dajingmen Great Wall 
Jinshanling Great Wall
Jinshanling Great Wall
Jinshanling Great Wall
Ali's third and fourth climbs were at Shanhaiguan and Laolongtou in Qinhuangdao.
Shanhaiguan, located 15 kilometers northeast of Qinhuangdao City, Hebei Province, is one of the northeastern passes of the Ming Great Wall and is known as the "First Pass Under Heaven." Built in 1381, under the leadership of Xu Da, one of the founding heroes of the Ming Dynasty, it earned the name "Shanhaiguan" because it rests on the Yanshan Mountains to the north and borders the Bohai Sea to the south, nestled between the mountains and the sea. Shanhaiguan is a crucial strategic point connecting North China and Northeast China. Located at the western end of the Liaoxi Corridor, it serves as one of the most convenient passages from the Central Plains to the Northeast. At the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, a large number of people from the interior of the country left Shanhaiguan, bravely ventured into Guandong with their dreams, and became pioneers of the black soil in Northeast China.
What a magnificent Great Wall! Five colorful grasslands Five colorful grasslands During our summer trip to northern China, the most striking northern scenery we saw was probably the vibrant grasslands. From northern Hebei to southern Inner Mongolia, the entire route was filled with beautiful grassland scenery. We first visited the Kulun Nur Tourist Resort (also known as the Swan Lake Tourist Resort) and the Luanhe Shenyun Scenic Area in Guyuan County, Hebei Province. We then visited the Jinlianchuan Grassland and Xilinhot Grassland in Xilingol League, Inner Mongolia, and finally the Ulanbutong Grassland in Keshiketeng Banner, Chifeng City, Inner Mongolia. In summer, all five grasslands burst with vibrant flowers, creating a vibrant riot of color, not just green. However, each grassland has its own unique characteristics, which Ali never tires of admiring. Guyuan County, Zhangjiakou City, is located in northwestern Hebei Province. It borders Zhenglan Banner and Duolun County in Xilingol League, Inner Mongolia, to the north. Three kilometers north of Guyuan County, in the Kulun Nur Tourist Resort, lies Swan Lake, a mirror-like lake. The lakeside grasslands are a vibrant display of lush green grass, vibrant flowers, and the fruits of various forage species. Walking along the shores of Swan Lake, surrounded by clear water, blue sky, green grass, and vibrant flowers, is truly a breathtaking experience. Luanhe Shen Yun Scenic Area is located 20 kilometers northeast of Guyuan County. There are mountains, temples, rivers, lakes and grasslands here. The mountain is called Zhuan Foshan. It is neither big nor high. It is the core of the scenic spot. We quickly reached the top of the mountain along the plank road. There are many plank roads built on the mountain, which can be used to travel around the entire mountain. The grass on the mountain is very tall, with many wild flowers mixed in between. The temple is called Zhuanfo Temple, located at the southeastern foot of Zhuanfo Mountain. Three buildings with red walls and yellow tiles stand in sequence from south to north. They have a typical Tibetan Buddhist architectural style and have become a very eye-catching part of the scenic spot. The river is called Lightning River. The name of the scenic spot is "Luanhe Charm", but the name of the river is "Lightning River". Why? It turns out that Lightning River is the name of the upper reaches of Luanhe River. As for why it is named "Lightning River", you can understand it when you stand on Zhuan Fo Mountain and look to the south: To the south of Zhuan Fo Mountain is a vast flat prairie, and the Lightning River twists and turns in this green prairie - its shape is like lightning in the sky. After seeing it, Ah Li couldn’t help but praise: Lightning River, what a wonderful name the river is! The lake is called Grassland Lake, to the west of Zhuanfo Mountain. The name of this lake is also worthy of its name, because it is surrounded by grasslands with windblown grass and low cattle and sheep. On the grassland to the west of Zhuanfo Mountain, a large field of yellow wild flowers is blooming, which contrasts with the grassland lake. The Lightning River meanders northward and reaches Shangdu Town, Zhenglan Banner, Xilin Gol League, Inner Mongolia - here, it is also called Shangdu River. On both sides of the river are broad, flat grasslands with rich water and grass. Every year in July and August, a golden lotus-shaped wild flower blooms all over the wilderness, so the flower is named Golden Lotus, and the place is named "Golden Lotus Grassland". Kublai Khan, the founding emperor of the Yuan Dynasty, took a fancy to this place and ordered the construction of Kaiping Mansion here. Later Kublai Khan ascended the throne here and established the Yuan Dynasty. Soon, the imperial edict was issued to change Kaiping Mansion to the Shangdu, making it the Xia capital of the Yuan Dynasty. Later, the Yuan Dynasty fell, and Xanadu was destroyed by war and turned into ruins. Hundreds of years later, when we come here, we can only see the ruins of Yuan Shangdu. However, the beautiful Jinlianchuan grassland is still there, and the beautiful nasturtiums are still there. The characteristic of nasturtium is that it takes the form of buds in the morning and blooms in the afternoon. We happened to go there in the afternoon, and we happened to see patches of nasturtiums blooming on the Jinlianchuan grassland, swaying in the wind. The Jinlianchuan grassland thus turned into a golden grassland! Later, Ah Li and his friends walked along the plank road into the depths of the grassland and found that not only nasturtiums were blooming in the grassland, but there were also many yellow, purple, red, white and other wild flowers in bloom! The Jinlianchuan Grassland in July and August is really a paradise for all kinds of wild flowers! Xilin Jiuqu and Pingdingshan Volcanic Geopark are both part of the Xilin Gol Grassland, and the two scenic spots are fifteen kilometers apart. Xilin Jiuqu is a typical meandering landscape formed by the Xilin River - the river shows the shape of "nine bends and eighteen bends". When we visited there, there was only water in part of the river, and we couldn't even see a single bend, let alone nine twists and turns. Both sides of the Xilin River are vast pastures with lush pasture. Although we did not see the twists and turns of the Xilin River, our enjoyment of the trip was not affected in any way - Ah Li and two travel companions posed for various photos on the grassland and took countless posing photos. Pingdingshan in Pingdingshan Volcanic Geopark is not Pingdingshan City in Henan Province, but the core area of Xilin Gol Grassland Volcanic Geopark. In the vast grassland, many peaks covered with pasture rise from the ground, but the tops of these mountains are flat, as if the tops of the mountains have been chopped off with a sharp blade. Hence the name "Pingdingshan" for these mountains. Why do these mountains in the Xilingol Grassland have flat tops? Ah Li read the introduction to the scenic spot, climbed to the top of a mountain and looked around - he finally figured it out after seeing it and imagining it: It turns out that a long time ago, this place was not a grassland, but a lake with a flat bottom; later, volcanoes erupted around the lake, and lava flowed into the bottom of the lake, spreading evenly to form a basalt layer; then, the earth's crust moved vertically, the area was lifted as a whole, the lake water slipped away, the bottom of the lake turned into a mountain top, and the lake turned into a grassland; finally, after long-term erosion and cutting by time and water flow, flat-topped mountains with their peaks cut off appeared in front of us. Ulan Butong Grassland is located in the southwest of Keshiketeng Banner, Chifeng City, Inner Mongolia, and is adjacent to Saihanba Forest Farm in Weichang County, Chengde City, Hebei Province to the south. This was once the Royal Mulan Paddock of the Qing Dynasty, and it was also the ancient battlefield where Emperor Kangxi commanded the Qing army to defeat the Galdan rebels in Moxi. It was also the filming location for ancient and modern film and television dramas such as "My Fair Princess", "Kangxi Dynasty" and "Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty". The Jiangjun Paozi we visited was the place where the Qing army and the Galdan rebels fought fiercely. Kangxi's uncle, General Tong Guogang, died in battle here. Although General Tong Guogang's body was transported back to Beijing for burial, his uniform was buried here and became the general's tomb. This place is also named "Jiangjun Paozi" - "Paozi" is a northern dialect that means lake. Now, next to the general's tomb, there is a statue of a general in uniform astride a horse. Gongzhu Lake is a shining pearl in the Ulan Butong Grassland. It is surrounded by not only undulating grasslands with blooming flowers, but also dense and green birch, pine and other trees. The blue sky and white clouds are reflected in Princess Lake, and the water and sky meet, which is indescribably beautiful. However, the story about Princess Lake is a bit sad: it is said that Princess Gu Lun Rongxian, the daughter of Kangxi, originally had someone she loved. Unexpectedly, her father asked her to get married to Urgon, the Borzigit family of the Bahrain tribe in Monan Mongolia. Although the princess was unwilling, she could not disobey her father's orders and had no choice but to marry far away. When passing through the Ulan Butong Grassland, the princess looked back at her hometown and wept with sadness, her tears forming a lake. The story of the third princess Lan Qier in the TV series "Kangxi Dynasty" who married Galdan, the leader of the Junggar tribe in Mongolia, is adapted from the story of Princess Gulun Rongxian. Now, people have erected a white marble statue of the princess standing by the Princess Lake. There is a bow, a saddle, and a helmet next to the statue; there is also a stone in front of the statue, with a poem engraved on it: The emperor's daughter and her dear Galdan, looking at the moon in the countryside with tears in their eyes. A pot of water poured out from the broken heart and embedded in the Wulan Butong. This legend of Princess Lake is quite touching and arouses the sympathy of tourists for the princess. However, Ah Li guessed that the reason why the local people called this lake "Princess Lake" was out of respect for Princess Gu Lun Rongxian. The place where the princess got married should be in Chifeng, because her tomb was excavated in 1972 in Bahrain Right Banner, Chifeng. The princess should have often played in the Ulan Butong Grassland and lingered by the Princess Lake. When the princess was here, she must have shed tears of missing her hometown and her relatives; but she must also have laughed and been happy here - facing such a beautiful Ulan Butong Grassland and the charming Princess Lake, the princess would definitely forget her homesickness temporarily and smile. Five pieces of beautiful grassland, from Hebei to Inner Mongolia, from Central Mongolia to Eastern Mongolia, each one is extraordinary, and they all make Li reluctant to leave! On a summer trip to the North, Li saw a Chinese ancestral temple, two ancient stone bridges, three royal gardens, four solid Great Walls, and five pieces of colorful grassland. They were all beautiful representatives of the scenery of the North, and Li will never forget it! However, these are not the only things about the northern scenery that make Li unforgettable! There are hundreds of miles of gorges on the wild hillsides in Baoding City, Hebei Province. There are various peaks and gurgling streams along the way. The single root grass and ear feather rock fern grass on the cliff are verdant. It is more than 30 degrees outside the canyon, but only 22.5 degrees inside the canyon, which is cool and pleasant. How could Ah Li forget the mountains here and the water here? Saihanba in Chengde City, Hebei Province, once belonged to the Mulan Paddock of the Royal Hunting Garden of the Qing Dynasty. In those days, Saihanba had dense forests, fertile water and grass, and hordes of wild animals. Emperors would bring large groups of people here to carry out Mulan Qiuyi (pronounced xiǎn, which means autumn hunting). However, with the decline of the Qing Dynasty, the trees in Saihanba were cut down. Especially when the Japanese invaded Rehe, they frantically plundered Saihanba forest resources. Finally, the place gradually turned into a desert, with wind and sand raging. In the 1960s, a group of people came here, established a forest farm, and began planting trees. After decades of their efforts, Saihanba has transformed from a vast desert into a vast forest. When Ali and his friends walked into Saihanba, they saw blue sky, white clouds, green water and luxuriant forests everywhere they went. How could Li forget the forest sea in Saihanba, the clear water in Saihanba, and the story of the group of tree planters? Also, the blue sea and golden beaches of Beidaihe and Nandaihe in Qinhuangdao, how could Ah Li forget? Li has long heard about the reputation of Beidaihe and knows that it is a famous resort and recuperation place; Li has also read "Langtaosha·Beidaihe" written by the great man: "Heavy rain falls on the quiet swallows, white waves surge into the sky, and fishing boats are fishing outside Qinhuangdao." The ocean is gone, who knows where to go? The past is thousands of years, Wei Wu whipped his whip, and there is a bleak autumn wind in the east. Now the world has changed. " I originally thought there was a river in Qinhuangdao called "Beidaihe", but when Ah Li came to the Gold Coast in Changli County, Qinhuangdao, he discovered that in addition to Beidaihe, there was also Nandaihe! After checking the information, I found out: There is a river in Qinhuangdao called "Daihe", the north of Daihe is called "Beidaihe", and the south of Daihe is called "Nandaihe". In the summer of 1954, the great man stood beside the Yingjiao Pavilion in Pigeon Nest Park, Beidaihe, facing the white-capped Bohai Sea in front of him, and wrote the famous "Langtaosha·Beidaihe". Today, a stone statue of him stands in the place where the great man attracted attention for future generations to admire. Whether it is Beidaihe or Nandaihe, they are both on the Bohai Sea. They both have blue water and golden beaches. They are good places for people to play in the water and sand in summer, which made Li unforgettable. Of course, Ah Li will never forget the little swallows over Beizi Temple in Xilinhot City, Inner Mongolia - they fly in groups in the sky, unrestrained, happy and free, which is enviable! On a summer trip to the North, there are many more unforgettable summer scenery of the North for Li... My summer trip to the North Country and enjoying the summer scenery of the North Country are unforgettable to this day. 2025、9、15 Number of days：3 days, Average cost: 600 yuan, Number of days: 30 days, Average cost: 8726 yuan, Updated: 2020.12.29 Number of days: 1 day, Average cost: 150 yuan, Number of days：7 days, Average cost: 4100 yuan, Updated: 2025.05.05 Number of days: 1 day, Average cost: 300 yuan, Number of days: 1 day, Average cost: 150 yuan, Updated: 2022.07.28 Guyuan County Swan Lake
Zhuanfo Temple 
Lightning River 
Grassland Lake
Yuanshangdu Jinlianchuan Grassland 
Golden lotus flowers bloom
Xilin Jiuqu
Xilin Jiuqu
Xilin Jiuqu
Pingdingshan
Pingdingshan
Pingdingshan
Ulan Butong Grassland 
Ulan Butong Grassland
Princess Lake
Princess Lake
Wulan Butong Grassland 
The ear feather rock fern in the Baili Gorge on the wild hillside
Single root grass in the Baili Gorge on the wild hillside
Wild Hill Baili Gorge
Baili Gorge on the Yeshan Mountain
Shenlongtan in Saihanba 
Pigeon Nest Park
Beizi Temple, Xilinhot City
Beizi Temple, Xilinhot City
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