Urad Grassland

Urad Grassland

Urad Grassland is located within the territories of three banners in Bayannur City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region: Urad Middle Banner (Hailarutu Town), Urad Front Banner (Xishanzui Town), and Urad Rear Banner (Bayanbuluke Town). It lies at the northern foot of the Yin Mountains — pictorially speaking, it's situated above the "几" shape of the Yellow River on a map. Urad Grassland covers three-fifths of Bayannur City’s area, and is classified as a desert-steppe type, characterized by large diurnal temperature variations.

After entering Wubulankou and winding through mountain roads, a vast expanse suddenly opens up before you — the Urad Grassland of Bayannur City. The scenery is an endless sea of green, with flatlands and small hills all covered in vibrant turf. Flocks of white sheep move up and down the hillsides like white flowers embroidered onto the boundless green carpet. The lines of these hills are so delicately beautiful, resembling a traditional Chinese painting rendered only in shades of green, without any ink outlines. Everywhere is lush and vibrant, stretching all the way to the horizon, leaving visitors in awe and comfort. Even the herds of cattle and horses sometimes stand still, seemingly savoring the boundless joy of the grassland.

In the distance, the grassland glows brilliantly, like the view one sees when gazing out a window from home. It’s as if the clouds, afraid of loneliness, drift over to block the sun and play with the visitors. The wildflowers there may not decorate the entire world, but their cheerful blooms bring life to the plains. The sound of a shepherd’s flute rings out over the gold-glistening Hailarutu River, adding beauty to the landscape. Before long, Hailarutu Town comes into view. From a distance, the town lies spread out below, as if inlaid firmly at the bottom of a basin — no one could ever take it away.

The terrain of Bayannur City can be broadly divided into three types: the Yin Mountains stretch from east to west, traversing the heart of the city; to the south of the Yin Mountains lies the vast Hetao Plain; and to the north lies the expansive Urad Grassland. During summer and autumn, the area is covered in lush green grass, dotted with robust livestock, and enjoys a cool and tranquil climate. Visitors here can dress in Mongolian robes and boots, mount swift horses or ride sturdy camels to roam the grassland; they can enjoy Mongolian folk songs and dances around the glow of a campfire; they can sip mellow and fragrant mare’s milk wine and savory hand-grabbed lamb under the warm hospitality of singing toasts; the whole roasted lamb not only satisfies the palate but also dazzles the eyes; the rich milk tea and traditional dairy products from herders’ homes offer a glimpse into the nomadic lifestyle; spending the night in a yurt, you can listen to the melodies of herding songs and count the twinkling stars overhead. Immersed in nature, the hustle and bustle of the city feels worlds away.

The Nadam Fair of Urad Grassland is a traditional local gathering held once a year. It mainly features activities such as wrestling, horse racing, camel racing, and traditional dances. The “Nadam” fair is typically held between July and August. If your visit coincides with this festive event, you can watch traditional ethnic sports performances and even join in the fun by competing with the herders in these engaging activities.

Hailarutu Town: Hailarutu Town is the seat of the People’s Government of Urad Middle Banner and serves as the political, economic, cultural, and transportation hub of the entire banner. It is located at the intersection of 41°34’ north latitude and 108°31’ east longitude, with an average elevation of 1,288 meters and an average annual temperature of 4.9°C. The town covers a total area of 62 square kilometers, with a planned area of 18 square kilometers and a built-up area of 5.2 square kilometers. It has 2,579.5 mu of arable land. The town governs 13 neighborhood committees, 2 village committees, and includes 2 sub-district offices. At the end of the year, it had a total of 10,168 households and a population of 27,635, including non-agricultural residents... Detailed information about Hailarutu Town++