The Hulunbuir Grasslands (Hulunbei’er da caoyuan), despite recent tourist infiltration, are still one of the best and lushest in China. The grasslands here are known locally as the “most unsullied prairie” (Zui chunjing de caoyuan), because of the lack of pollution and the uninterrupted green that, in summer, stretches in all directions. Hulunbuir is fed by hundreds of rivers, large and small, that have made this area highly popular with the Mongolian nomads and herders.

Visitors here can try many activities, including horse & camel riding, Mongolian wrestling, dancing with the small Mongolians, and feeding on the mutton courses of a traditional banquet. To finish it all off it is best to spend the night here, in the yurts, that although a little too designed for tourism (on concrete bases and in yurt hotels), will give you a taste of the lifestyles of the nomads and the marauding Mongols of yesteryear. If you can manage to get to the grasslands independantly, then you will bypass much of the tourist pollution!

How to get there: The easiest way to get to the grasslands is by tour with one of the travel agents in town. Some of the hotels have their own independent agents that may be cheaper than the CTS (0470-8232986, in the Meng Hotel) or CITS (0470-8224017, on the second floor of the post office building [Jianfa dasha], Shengli dajie) ones. You should shop around before making your decision.
It is also possible for Chinese speakers to arrange a trip to a family on the grassland, through either hotels, taxi drivers or other means, although this is not easy. Prices for one night will range from RMB100-300, including food and accommodation. Transport will be a little more (negotiate before leaving).