Bayanbulak Marshland [Bayingolin / Bayinguoleng]

"One of Top Six Most Beautiful Grasslands in China"
Ranked by China National Geoegraphy Magazin

Bayanbulak Grassland in Hejing County, Bayiguole Mongolia Autonomous Prefecture of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region: Melted miracle from the Tianshan Mountains

The Bayanbulak Grassland situated in the Uldus Basin of Tianshan Mountains in the northwest of Hejing County, is the second largest grassland in China, the world's largest habitat for whooper swans. In this area of some 100,000 hectares, 2,300 to 3,100 meters above sea level, there is no clear distinction between the four seasons. Bayanbulak means the ''the abundant spring'' and ''the source of fertility'' in Mongolian language.

Bayanbulak Marshland is home to almost 200 species of plants. When the flowers bloom in the warmth of spring, the vast wetland is a sea of bright colors. The grassland stretches vastly and smoothly, and is rich in water and grass. High quality fescue grasses grow all over this vast grassland, which accommodates and feeds over 600,000 flocks and herds. As one of the animal husbandry bases in Xinjiang, it is rich in ''Yanqi horse'', and ''Xinjiang fine wool sheep'', all of which are well known over the world. When the summer comes, various flowers here are in blossom and contending in beauty, and the yurts dotted in the grassland are just like snow lotuses, and the herds of sheep grazing look like white clouds in the blue sky. All of these constitute a large beautiful picture of that will give a nice kind of feeling to you.

At the center of the Bayanbulak Grassland, there are lakes, large and small, opened to one another. All these lakes cover an area of about 30 km long and 10 km wide, and are 2500 meters above sea level. The snow-capped mountains, verdant pine and cypress trees, wild flowers and grass mirrored in the blue waters of the lakes constitute a beautiful picture. Flocks of swan are like white sails wandering on the lake, carefree and contenting themselves. That is Bayanbulak Swan Lake Natural Reserve famous in China. This natural reserve is abundant in birds, particularly water birds of various kinds in large quantity. According to investigation, the total number of swans here are over 10,000, including such kinds of swans as swan, cygnet, swans with prominent nose. The observation tower was built here for the tourists to appreciate the graceful swans and get a general view the Swan Lake.

Best time to go
September.
During May and June, the swan and other birds fly to Bayanbulak; during September and October, the swan and other birds fly off. Therefore, the best time to sightseeing the birds is from May to October.

Ticket
RMB 32/person

Around Landscape
Tiemen Pass, Luobu Nationality Village, Lop Nur, Loulan Old City, Bosten Lake, The Altun Mountain Nature Reserve, Luntai Huyang Poplar Forest, and Gunaisi National Forest, etc.

Local Snacks and Specialties
Kuerle Aromatic-pear, Luobu Hemp, Tomato, Fig, Grape and Liquorice, etc.

Travel Tips
Pay attention to the time! Beijing time here means that the sun does not rise until 09:00 and it is still light at midnight in the summer months.
Be sure to take warmer clothes for the nights and always carry plenty of drinking water even in the cooler months.
Be sure to respect local ethical customs and traditions.
Please take enough food, water and compass.
Please take sunbonnet, sunglass, canteen, respirator, muffler and suntan oil.
There is much mosquito on grassland.
The Swan Lake is from 10 km lasting about 3.5 hours by walking.