Ulan Butong Ancient Battlefield

　　The Ulan Butong Ancient Battlefield is situated on the southern edge of the Hunshandake Sandy Desert in the southwestern part of Hexigten Banner, facing the Saihanba Forest Farm in Weichang County, Hebei Province across the river. It is part of the renowned imperial hunting grounds. At the border between the desert and the grassland, a solitary peak rises abruptly, stretching majestically toward the sky. Emperor Kangxi waged a great battle here against Galdan with an army of 200,000 troops. To the northeast of Ulan Butong Peak, the sands are as white as snow, while birch trees and red willows are lush and vibrant. To the southwest of the peak, the Ulan River flows around the mountain. In front of the peak lies General’s Pool (named after Qing Dynasty General Tong Guogang, who died in battle here), spanning approximately a thousand acres. To the east, stretching to Saihanba, lies the famous Bashang Grassland. Twelve Connected Military Camps and the General’s Platform are also located in the area. Tourist sites such as the Ulan Butong Grassland Resort and General’s Pool Resort cater to travelers of varying preferences and budgets.

　　

　　Aisin-Gioro Xuanye (1654~1722)　　Emperor Kangxi, Aisin-Gioro Xuanye (May 4, 1654 – December 20, 1722), was the fourth emperor of the Qing Dynasty and referred to as “Enkh Amgalan Khan” in Mongolia. Ascending to the throne at the age of 8 and assuming personal rule at 14, he reigned for 61 years, making him the longest-reigning emperor in Chinese history. During his rule, he reduced or exempted taxes, developed the economy, consolidated the unified multi-ethnic state, recovered Taiwan, established new administrative divisions, resisted Russian aggression, decisively defeated the Dzungar Khanate, and oversaw the compilation of cultural texts, among other achievements. He laid the foundation for the “Prosperous Era of Kangxi and Qianlong.” In 1722, he passed away at the Qingxi Study in the Changchun Garden of Beijing at the age of 69, and was posthumously given the temple name... Details+

　　Galdan 　　Galdan (from the Tibetan "Ganden," meaning Tuṣita Heaven, 1644–1697), of the Choros clan, was the leader of the Dzungar (also spelled Zunghar) tribe of the Oirat Mongols (also known as the Dörbet or Kalmyks) in the 17th century, a descendant of Esen Tayisi, and the sixth son of Batur Hongtaiji. As a youth, he was recognized by the Fifth Dalai Lama as the reincarnation of the Third Yonzin Hutuktu (Wensa Hutuktu) and went to Tibet to study Buddhism. In 1670, his elder brother, Sengge Hongtaiji, was killed in a power struggle among the Dzungar nobility. With permission from the Dalai Lama, Galdan returned to secular life, came back from Tibet, defeated his political rivals, and became the Hongtaiji of the Dzungar tribe. After seizing power in Dzungaria, Galdan actively pursued expansion. In 1676... Details+

　　Tong Guogang (?～1690)　　Tong Guogang ( ? – 1690) was an official of the Qing Dynasty. Surnamed Tongjia, of the Manchu Bordered Yellow Banner and the son of Tong Tulai. Initially registered under the Han Army, he was transferred to the Manchu roll during the reign of Kangxi. He inherited the title of First Class Duke. He held various positions, including Inner Minister, Commander-in-Chief of the Bordered Yellow Banner Han Army, and Anbei General. In the 28th year of Kangxi’s reign (1689), he went with Inner Minister Songgotu to Nerchinsk to negotiate and establish the border with Russia. The following year, he joined the campaign against Galdan, served as an advisor to General Fulin, and died in battle at Ulan Butong in August. Posthumously honored as Zhongyong (“Loyal and Brave”). ... Details+