Red Flower Obo Grassland

Red Flower Obo Grassland

Red Flower Obo Grassland

Also known as Longmei Yurong Grassland, it is located at the junction of the northwest of Guyang County and Xinbaolige Grassland in Dameng Banner. The hometown of the "heroic sisters" of the grassland, Longmei and Yurong, is nearby. Back then, the heroic sisters Longmei and Yurong fought against a blizzard here to protect the collective sheep herd, leaving behind a moving and heroic story. It was on February 9, 1964, when 11-year-old Longmei and 9-year-old Yurong were herding over 80 sheep on the grassland. Just after 10 a.m., the weather suddenly turned bad, with fierce winds and heavy snow sweeping across the grassland. The sheep panicked and scattered in all directions. To protect the collective property, the two sisters closely followed the flock, running more than 100 li across the vast grassland for 24 hours. Hunger, cold, and exhaustion caused the sisters to collapse in the snow. When they were found, their bodies were frozen stiff, with only a faint breath left, but the sheep herd remained unharmed. Yurong, being younger, had lost her boots while chasing the sheep and suffered severe frostbite—her right leg was amputated below the knee, and all her toes on her left foot were removed, replaced with prosthetics. Longmei’s big toe on her left foot was frostbitten and had to be amputated, and the rest of her toes became cartilaginous, so now she can only walk on the soles of her feet. Today, both sisters are working and living very happily.

Red Flower Obo Grassland is rich in water and soil resources, with high organic matter content in the soil. Its terrain consists of gentle hills and flat grasslands. As early as the Warring States period, this area was described as having "lush vegetation and abundant wildlife," making it highly suitable for grazing and hunting. As a result, one of the northern nomadic peoples, the Xiongnu, took advantage of these natural conditions to lead a nomadic life of "following the water and grass," characterized by "eating meat, drinking milk, wearing leather, using felt, and living in yurts." The first chanyu (leader) of the Xiongnu, Touman Chanyu, established the center of the Xiongnu tribal alliance here, historically known as Toutou City. In 33 BC, Wang Zhaojun accompanied Huhanye Chanyu beyond the frontier, and at that time, the chanyu’s court was located in what is today the Red Flower Obo Grassland area. Wang Zhaojun, understanding the greater good and setting aside personal concerns, actively assisted Huhanye Chanyu, striving to promote peace between the Han and Xiongnu, ensuring border stability, and respecting Xiongnu customs. She endured hardships to serve as the chanyu’s wife (meaning queen) for two generations, giving birth to one son and one daughter. For 60 years after Zhaojun’s departure to the frontier, the Han and Xiongnu maintained friendly relations.

Red Flower Obo Grassland now covers a total area of 50,000 mu. After more than five years of protection through fenced enclosures by the local government, the ecological environment has greatly improved. Today, the grassland is lush, with various high-quality forage grasses and shrubs growing abundantly. Wildlife such as sand partridges, hares, larks, grey cranes, and wild geese can be seen everywhere. The blue sky, white clouds, green grass, and grazing livestock form an enchanting and unique natural ecological landscape. While enjoying the rich ethnic customs such as horse racing, wrestling, Obo worship, staying in yurts, dancing to Mongolian music, and drinking milk tea, visitors can also deeply sense the historical atmosphere of Wang Zhaojun’s journey to the frontier. Additionally, Red Flower Obo Grassland was one of Genghis Khan’s horse racing grounds. In his campaigns across the east and west, the fertile grass and water of Red Flower Obo Grassland nurtured excellent warhorses for Genghis Khan. In the height of summer, the air here is fresh and cool. Galloping on a fine horse across the boundless, lush green grassland dotted with blooming flowers is truly refreshing. When visiting the grassland in summer and autumn, the scene of “the sky so blue, the wilderness so vast, the wind blowing the grass low to reveal cattle and sheep” comes vividly to life. Watching the knee-high wild grass sway in the wind like layers of silver waves creates a mesmerizing view that stirs the imagination.