Ulan Butong Grassland

Ulan Butong Grassland

Ulan Butong Grassland is situated at the junction of hills and plains in the southernmost part of Hexigten Banner, facing the Saihanba Forest Farm in Weichang County, Hebei Province, across the river. Just over 300 kilometers from Beijing, it is part of the historic Mulan Paddock of the Qing Dynasty. Famous for the grand battles commanded by Emperor Kangxi against Galdan, it is also renowned worldwide as a top filming location for its captivating European-style grassland vistas. This area features a landscape where hills and plains intertwine, combining forests and grasslands in perfect harmony. It embodies both the delicate and graceful beauty of the south and the rugged, majestic grandeur of the north, offering the best of both worlds. With scenery that delights in all four seasons and breathtaking views everywhere, it is hailed as a paradise for photography, a natural gallery, and an open-air film studio.

Ulan Butong Grassland stands out from other grasslands due to its location at the convergence of hills and plains, presenting completely unique characteristics. Its enchanting European-style grassland scenery has made it a famous destination for film shoots. The grasslands here feature four distinctive highlights:

First is the integration of forest and grassland. Here, forests and grasslands coexist in harmony, embodying the refined elegance of the south alongside the bold ruggedness of the north, showcasing the combined beauty of both regions.

Second is the vastness of the meadows. Though not entirely boundless, being here evokes the imagery of the ancient Northern Dynasties folk song: “The sky is like a round tent, covering all the earth. The sky is vast, the land endless; when the wind blows low, cattle and sheep appear.”

Third is the “flower-filled meadow” landscape. In the areas around the film base, every summer brings vibrant life to the grasslands as countless blossoms emerge. The floral display changes every ten days or so. When you visit this time, you might see yellow flowers; return in ten days, and they may have turned pink, red, or more. Each bloom cycle is dominated by a leading flower species, with other colors complementing the scene. Famous or nameless, flowers of every kind and form create colorful carpets across the meadows and hillsides, gathering into mesmerizing clouds of color. With blue skies, white clouds, green mountains, and clear waters setting the stage, the lively world of blooming flowers forms a series of splendid European-style oil paintings.

Fourth is the birch forest landscape. The most striking feature is the alternating density of trees — sparse enough for horseback riding, dense enough to block the wind entirely. On the slopes along the edges of the meadows, some stretches are covered with birch trees, forming thick woods so dense that sunlight barely penetrates. Step inside, and the foliage blocks out the sun, making it hard to tell the size of the forest. Other areas have birches scattered sparsely — single trees, small clusters of three to five, or groups of dozens — all breathtakingly beautiful. The terrain here is highly varied, including grassy fields, wetlands, ravines, and hills. During sunrise and sunset, when the light shines obliquely, the ridges are outlined with bright highlights, creating strong contrasts between light and shadow that enhance the hazy beauty of the surroundings, forming scenes reminiscent of classical Greek oil paintings.

These four defining features attract tens of thousands of artists to the area every year for inspiration and creation.

Photographers call it the home of photography, a creative base, and a fertile ground for award-winning and outstanding works in various competitions and exhibitions.

Painters regard it as a natural gallery and the perfect reference for oil painting studies.

Filmmakers describe it as an open-air studio. According to incomplete statistics, over 60 films and TV dramas have been shot here in the past decade. Among them, major productions such as "My Fair Princess," "Kangxi Dynasty," "The Legend of the Condor Heroes," and "The Emperor in Han Dynasty" filmed most of their scenes here. Countless other films, commercials, and documentaries have also shot partial scenes in this location.

The Ulan Butong tourist area features attractions such as General’s Lake, ancient battlefield ruins, the Flag-Raising Platform, Twelve Camps, Princess Lake, Mushroom Lake, Colorful Mountain, and Bashang Grassland.