Ulan Buh Grassland
Located at the southern end of Hexigten Banner in Inner Mongolia, just over 300 kilometers from Beijing, it faces the Saihanba Forest Farm in Weichang County, Hebei Province, across the river. This area features Neolithic Hongshan culture ruins and is part of the Qing Dynasty’s Mulan Paddock. It gained fame for the historic battle led by Emperor Kangxi against Galdan, and its captivating European-style grassland vistas have made it an internationally known filming destination. The terrain here is a mix of hills and plains, where forests and grasslands blend seamlessly, embodying both the delicate beauty of the south and the rugged grandeur of the north—offering the best of both worlds. Scenic in all four seasons, every corner presents a postcard-perfect view, earning it the titles of “photographers’ paradise,” “natural gallery,” and “open-air film studio.” The Mulan Paddock has served as the backdrop for more than 200 episodes of popular TV series such as "The Legend of the Condor Heroes" and "My Fair Princess."
Mulan Paddock
This was one of the Qing Dynasty’s imperial hunting grounds, historically known as the “72 Paddocks.” Since ancient times, it has been a vast grassland rich in water and vegetation, teeming with wildlife. The “Thousand-Li Pine Forest” was once a hunting ground for the Liao emperors. In 1690, Emperor Kangxi waged the famous Battle of Ulan Butung here to quell the rebellion of Galdan. The Mulan Paddock spans from Morimo in Weichang County in the east, to Dahuanqi in Weichang County in the south, to the Dahe Kou in Duolun in the west, and to General Paozi at Ulan Butung in the north.
During the Qing Dynasty, the Mulan Paddock was a pristine expanse of forest and boundless Mongolian grassland. By the late Qing period, the court ordered large-scale deforestation of the original woodland. Decades of hard work by forestry workers have since restored the area into the nation’s largest man-made forest, with vast woodlands regaining their former vitality. It is hailed as the “home of clouds, kingdom of flowers, ocean of forests, and source of waters.” The expansive Mongolian grasslands now pulse with renewed youth and vigor. Wildflowers blanket the hillsides, welcoming visitors from around the globe. In spring and summer, vast seas of pine trees whisper in the breeze; the endless grasslands burst into colorful blooms, creating an idyllic retreat where visitors are refreshed and forget the heat. By August during golden autumn, red leaves cover the mountains, and frosted forests layer in brilliant hues, attracting countless domestic and international tourists, artists, photographers, and painters. Once winter arrives, the forest transforms into a snowy wonderland, majestic and atmospheric; snow-covered trees glisten like jade, offering endless charm.
Saihanba National Forest Park
The largest forest park in northern China, known in Mongolian as "Saihan Dabahan Secen," meaning "Beautiful High Ridge.” It is part of the Mulan Paddock. Its unique climate and long history have created distinctive natural and cultural landscapes: vast forests, expansive grasslands, crystal-clear alpine lakes, and historical relics from the Qing Dynasty. The area has long been home to Manchu, Mongolian, and Han peoples, fostering rich and vibrant folk traditions. Notable attractions include the Kangxi Military Review Platform, Moon Lake, Seven Star Lake, Saihan Tower, and the Ten-Li Gallery. Saihanba features a distinct cold temperate monsoon climate—cool and fresh in summer, and painted in layers of gold and crimson by flaming maple forests in autumn. In winter, it dons a pristine white coat of snow and ice-covered trees, presenting classic northern scenery. Saihanba is also one of the sources of the Luanhe and Liaohe rivers, thus earning the titles “Source of Rivers, Home of Clouds, Kingdom of Flowers, Ocean of Forests.” Its proximity to Beijing and Tianjin makes it an ideal eco-tourism destination for summer retreats, autumn foliage viewing, and winter hunting and skiing.
