Xilin Gol Grassland [Xilinguole]

Xilin Gol Grassland in Xilin Hot City, Xilin Gol Prefecture of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region: Breathtaking Vastness

'Xilin Gol' means 'river on the plateau' in the Mongolian language. This grassland covers more than 200,000 square kilometers on the Mongolian Plateau.

To the east and north of Xilin Hot, the Ujimqin Grassland stretches far away. The terrain is flat, with numerous rivers and small lakes. While the Xilin Gol Grassland is considered the best grassland in China and even Asia, Ujimqin is the best of Xilin Gol.

The most beautiful place on the prairie is the bend on the Xilin River, the soul of the grassland. The meandering river is like a silver ribbon conjuring up visions of the remote past. Originating in Chifeng City, the 270 kilometers river winds like a Kadag (or Hada, a long piece of silk used as a greeting gift among the Mongolian and Tibetan people) near Xilin Hot, a stunning attraction to people from far and near. Volcano lava is witness to the enormous geological changes, which have taken place on the Xilin Gol Grassland.

The Mongols ride their horses wherever they go, setting out to pasture, moving from one camp to another, visiting relatives and attending wedding ceremonies. To then, horse is a sacred animal which figures in all their special activities, mare’s milk festival, lassoing competition and horse racing, to name but a few. On joyful events, the herdsmen will put on their holiday best, sing melodious songs and play the Matouqin, a stringed instrument with a horse-head decoration.

Best time to go
Summer especially from July to September
The point of climate in Xilin Gol Prefecture is gale, drought and cold. An average annual temperature is 32F to 37.4F, with the lowest temperature of -4F in January and the hottest 69.8F in July. The different temperature between day and night is from 53.6F to 60.8F. The rain is collected in July, August and September. The cold day last seven months and frozen will last five months.

Ticket
RMB 25/person

Around Landscape
Tonggu’er Dinosaur Graveyard, Pingding Mountain, The Palace of Grassland—Mongolian Khan City, The Ruins of Yuan Dynasty, Xilin River Grassland, Beizi Temple, Baiyingxile Grassland, Huiteng Grassland, etc.

Local Snacks and Specialties
Grill Whole-sheep, Bake Gigot, Braised Mutton by Hand, Banquet for All Fish, Milk Tea, Banquet for All Mutton, Mongolian Matouqin, Mongolian Portfolio, Mongolian Musical Instrument, Tegument Carved, Mongolian Kalpak, Crystal Daisy Chain, Cup of Horn, etc.

Travel Tips
In spring and autumn, there is sandstorm so stop to go grassland.
In winter the cold day last seven months and frozen will last five months.
Be sure to respect local ethical customs and traditions.
Please take enough water, sunbonnet, sunglass, and suntan oil in summer.
Bring warm clothes with you because weather is change to cold at night.
In summer, there are much mosquitoes and some bug so take something to keep it off.

Distance
Beijing (180 km) Xilin Gol Grassland, Beijing (640 km) Xilinhaote City
Beijing (584 km) Huhhot City (620 km)Xilinhaote City