With the sky washed blue and clouds floating gently, wildflowers fragrant and grasses sweet-smelling, herds of cattle and sheep dotting the meadows, along with colorful flags and yurts… August is the golden prime of the grasslands. While cities swelter in intense heat, the grasslands are in full bloom, their varying shades of green stretching to the horizon, and the cool breeze attracting numerous visitors. In eHi Car Rental’s curated “China’s Breathtaking Landscapes” self-driving route recommendations, the charm of the Grassland Sky Road rivals even that of the Qinghai-Tibet Highway.
The second day is when you truly arrive at the grasslands — the Zhangbei Grassland. As you walk, endless belts of golden, light apricot, emerald, dark green, and light green stretch before you, vast and open, dotted everywhere with yaks and sheep that sustain the herders’ livelihoods. The scenery here is stunning, with crisp air, lush meadows, flocks of sheep like clouds, and galloping horses. Visitors can ride horses, draw bows and shoot arrows, unleashing their boundless spirit; they can also enjoy traditional entertainment such as equestrian shows, wrestling, and grassland song and dance. The nightlife in Zhangbei Grassland is vibrant — gather around bonfire parties and chat with people from all over; or order a whole roasted lamb, pour some mare’s milk wine, and revel to your heart’s content.
When visiting the northern grasslands, be sure to drive along the Grassland Sky Road, China’s very own “Route 66.” This road, located on the Bashang Grassland, is flanked by extraordinarily beautiful scenery — grasslands, terraced fields, windmills, villages, and cliffs form a uniquely picturesque tableau. Bashang came into being due to a sudden rise in altitude, and as you find yourself amidst light clouds and endless blossoms, you may feel as if “the sky is about to descend and the clouds might brush past you.” Especially in summer and autumn, the vast expanses of birch trees along the roadside, dressed in full foliage, allow dappled sunlight to filter through their layered branches.
In addition, the entire Hebei route also passes through Guyuan Grassland, Lightning Lake, Chengde Weichang, Beidaihe, Shanhaiguan, and more, allowing travelers to experience the customs of ancient towns, the boundless grasslands, and get up close to coastal vistas, see the First Pass Under Heaven, and witness the end of the Great Wall.
Beautiful scenery deserves a great car. eHi Car Rental recommends the Hyundai Santa Fe Classic — with its wide field of vision and powerful performance, it will take you boldly across the grasslands. The total rental price starts at just 2400 yuan. Users can easily book online anytime, anywhere, via eHi Car Rental’s official website, mobile app, WeChat, and other platforms, with a selection of over a hundred vehicle models. Additionally, eHi Car Rental partners with over 3,000 service outlets in more than 200 cities nationwide, offering personalized services such as half-day rentals, hourly rentals, one-way trips, free pick-up and drop-off, and 7*24-hour support to meet all user needs.