The Most Beautiful Grasslands in China

China boasts a diverse and extensive grassland system, ranging from temperate plains, alpine meadows, high-altitude wetlands, to southern mountain grasslands. From the vast northern steppes of Inner Mongolia (内蒙古) and Xinjiang (新疆), to snow-capped grasslands in the northwest, and hidden southern alpine meadows in Yunnan (云南), Guizhou (贵州), Chongqing (重庆), Hunan (湖南), Guangxi (广西), Zhejiang (浙江), and other regions, every grassland offers a unique scenery and travel experience.

Northern grasslands feature open plains and rich pastures, carrying strong nomadic culture and are iconic tourist destinations. The high-altitude grasslands in Qinghai (青海), Gansu (甘肃), Sichuan (四川), and Tibet (西藏) combine snow mountains, lakes, wetlands, and Tibetan culture, creating vast and pristine landscapes. Southern grasslands, although smaller, offer mountain meadows, karst landscapes, flower seas, and cloud vistas, ideal for short trips, hiking, and photography.

This guide organizes the most notable grasslands in China by region, including travel highlights, local culture, seasonal tips, and universal travel advice.

Inner Mongolia – Temperate Grasslands and Nomadic Culture

Hulunbuir Grassland (呼伦贝尔大草原)

One of the world’s largest grasslands, known as the “Kingdom of Grass”, offering pristine landscapes with rivers, birch forests, and border scenery.
Highlights: Morigele River (莫日格勒河), Black Mountain Sunset (黑山头日落), Manzhouli Border Gate (满洲里国门), Enhe Russian Village (恩和俄罗斯乡)
Best time to visit: June–August for greenery, September for golden autumn photography
Tips: The grassland is vast; private car or self-drive recommended. Aerial photography is restricted near the border.

Xilingol Grassland (锡林郭勒草原)

A cultural center of Mongolian heritage, featuring steppe, volcanic grasslands, and sandy plains.
Highlights: Xilin Nine Bend River (锡林九曲), Pingding Mountain Volcano (平顶山火山), Baizi Temple (贝子庙), Naadam Festival (那达慕)
Tips: Limited supplies in pastoral areas; respect local herders’ land.

Ulan Butong Grassland (乌兰布统草原)

Formerly the Qing dynasty Mulan Weichang hunting grounds, now a top photography destination and filming location.
Highlights: North Valley Sunrise (北沟日出), Autumn Fog in Toufeng Valley (透风沟秋色), Princess Lake (公主湖), Birch Forest Valley (桦木沟)
Tips: Autumn mornings and evenings are foggy; protect against moisture and fire.

Gonger Grassland (贡格尔草原)

Known for wetlands and Dalinor Lake (达里诺尔湖), a haven for migratory birds.
Highlights: Birdwatching at Dalinor Lake, Mount Manduo (曼陀山), Sand Spruce Forest (沙地云杉)

Uragai Grassland (乌拉盖草原)

Dubbed the “Grassland at the Horizon”, filming site of Wolf Totem (狼图腾).
Highlights: Nine Bend Bay (九曲湾), Brin Spring (布林泉), Uragai Lake (乌拉盖湖)
Tips: Limited fuel stations; refuel before driving.

Huitengxile Grassland (辉腾锡勒草原)

High-altitude meadow (1800m), a summer retreat with iconic wind turbines.
Highlights: Huanghua Valley (黄花沟峡谷), grassland cableway, flower sea with windmills
Best months: June–July

Other Inner Mongolia Grasslands

• Gegentala Grassland (格根塔拉草原) – Large Mongolian yurt villages and cultural experiences
• Wuzhumuqin Grassland (乌珠穆沁草原) – Pristine natural pasture, complete nomadic lifestyle
• Baiyinxile Grassland (白音锡勒草原) – National protected area, grassland, desert, and lakes
• Horqin Grassland (科尔沁草原) – Birthplace of Genghis Khan culture
• Ordos Grassland (鄂尔多斯草原) – Desert-adjacent grassland with cultural performances
• Xilamuren Grassland (希拉穆仁草原) – Closest grassland to Hohhot (呼和浩特) for day trips
• Baiyun Ebo Grassland (白云鄂博草原) – Grassland meets industrial landscape
• Gongbolag Grassland (贡宝拉格草原) – Gentle flower meadows for short drives
• Taibus Grassland (太仆寺旗草原) – Northern gateway, windmill wetlands and pastoral scenery

Xinjiang – Mountain Grasslands with Snow and Forests

Nalati Grassland (那拉提草原)

Known as the “Sky Grassland”, surrounded by snow mountains and valleys.
Highlights: Snow-capped grassland vistas, sunrise over cloud seas, Snow Lotus Valley (雪莲谷)
Best months: June–August
Tips: Comfortable shoes recommended for shuttle bus routes.

Kalajun Grassland (喀拉峻草原)

A UNESCO site with rolling human-shaped grasslands and canyon flower seas.
Highlights: Sunset at Human-shaped Grassland, Kok Su Grand Canyon (阔克苏大峡谷), Flower Terrace (鲜花台)
Best months: July

Bayinbuluk Grassland (巴音布鲁克草原)

China’s second-largest grassland, high-altitude wetland, Swan Lake (天鹅湖) habitat.
Highlights: Swan Lake, Nine Bends River Sunset (九曲十八弯日落)
Tips: High altitude; bring warm clothes.

Other Xinjiang Grasslands

• Tangbulak Grassland (唐布拉草原) – Hundred-mile gallery, eco-friendly drive and picnic
• Qiaxi Grassland (恰西草原) – Forest-meadow combination, clear streams
• Qiongkushitai Grassland (琼库什台草原) – Kazakh village, misty wooden cabins
• Aktas Grassland (阿克塔斯草原) – Secluded and free grassland
• Zhaosu Grassland (昭苏草原) – Home of Tianma horses; rapeseed flowers in summer
• Kuerdening Grassland (库尔德宁草原) – Tall spruce forests and dense vegetation
• Kyrgyz Grassland (柯尔克孜大草原) – Starry sky and nomadic experience, ideal for camping

Qinghai, Gansu, Sichuan, and Tibet – High-Altitude and Wetland Grasslands

Qilian Mountain Grassland (祁连山草原)

“Eastern Switzerland” with snow peaks and vast flower seas.
Route: Xining (西宁) → Menyuan (门源) → Zhuo’er Mountain (卓尔山) → Qilian (祁连) → Heima River (黑马河)
Highlights: Panoramic views of Zhuo’er Mountain, Ebao Ancient Town (峨堡古城), grazing herds

Gannan Grasslands (甘南)

• Maqu Grassland (玛曲草原) – Yellow River first bend, Tibetan culture, summer horse festival
• Sanko Grassland (桑科草原) – Near Labrang Monastery (拉卜楞寺), traditional monks’ pastures
• Ganjia Grassland (甘加草原) – Remote high-altitude site with historical ruins
• Gahai Grassland (尕海草原) – Wetland grassland around Gahai Lake (尕海湖), migratory bird habitat

Sichuan Grasslands

• Zoige Grassland (若尔盖草原) – Largest plateau wetland grassland, black-necked cranes, Yellow River source
• Maoya Grassland (毛垭大草原) – Central Sichuan grassland near Genie Mountain (格聂神山) and Haizi Mountain (海子山)
• Hongyuan Grassland (红原草原) – Red Army route, flower seas, Tibetan nomadic culture
• Yuke Grassland (玉科草原) – Hidden alpine meadow with rivers and forests
• Tagong Grassland (塔公草原) – Near Tagong Monastery (塔公寺) and Yala Snow Mountain (雅拉雪山)

Tibet Grasslands

• Nagqu Grassland (那曲高寒草原) – China’s largest high-altitude grassland, average 4500m+
• Changtang Grassland (羌塘草原) – Protected wildlife and remote wilderness
• Pari Grassland (帕里草原) – High-altitude meadow near Bhutan, seasonal flower seas
• Zhegu Grassland (哲古草原) – Southern wetland grassland with quiet pastures

Southern China – High Mountain Grasslands

Yunnan

• Yila Grassland (依拉草原, Napa Lake 纳帕海, Shangri-La 香格里拉) – Seasonal lake grasslands, Tibetan village visits
• Yak Meadow (牦牛坪草甸, Lijiang 玉龙雪山) – Mid-mountain alpine meadow with panoramic views
• Ximatan Alpine Meadow (洗马潭高山草甸, Dali 苍山) – Rhododendron blooms, Erhai Lake views
• Bingzhongluo Grassland (丙中洛草原, Nujiang River 怒江贡山) – Remote valley grassland with local Tibetan and Nu communities

Guizhou

• Wumeng Grassland (乌蒙大草原, Liupanshui 六盘水) – High-altitude meadow with windmills and cloud seas
• Axilisi Grassland (阿西里西大草原, Bijie 毕节) – Rolling hills, ideal for self-driving and camping
• Longli Grassland (龙里大草原, Qiannan 黔南) – Weekend escape from Guiyang (贵阳)
• Weining Baicaoping (威宁百草坪, Bijie 毕节) – Karst hills, windmills, and Yi ethnic features
• Liyuan Grassland (栗元草场, Zunyi 绥阳) – Pristine, sparsely populated, hiking and camping spot

Chongqing

• Fairy Mountain Grassland (仙女山草原, Wulong 武隆) – Alpine meadow with forests and small train, top summer retreat
• Hongchiba Grassland (红池坝高山草原, Wuxi 巫溪) – Rare high-altitude meadow, flower seas, horse riding
• Changpugai Grassland (菖蒲盖草原, Youyang 酉阳) – “Southern Ordos”, scenic and secluded
• Congping Grassland (葱坪草原, Wushan 巫山) – Pristine highland meadow, wetlands, wildlife hiking

Hunan

• Yangtianhu Grassland (仰天湖大草原, Chenzhou 郴州) – South China’s largest high-altitude meadow, lake and windmill views
• Nanshan Pasture (南山牧场, Shaoyang 城步) – Dairy farms, windmills, lush grassland

Guangxi

• Longsheng Nanshan Grassland (龙胜南山草原, Guilin 龙胜) – Karst highland meadow, terraced landscapes
• Fengshan Grassland (凤山草原, Hechi 河池) – Karst peaks, grasslands, and caves

Fujian

• Zherong Yuanyangtou Grassland (柘荣鸳鸯头草原, Ningde 柘荣) – Largest alpine meadow in eastern Fujian
• Dehua Jiuxianshan Grassland (德化九仙山草甸, Quanzhou 德化) – Rhododendrons, cloud seas, cool summer retreat

Zhejiang

• Yunhe Terraced Meadow (云和梯田草甸, Lishui 云和) – Terraces and cloud sea
• Anji Longwangshan Grassland (安吉龙王山草甸, Huzhou 安吉) – Rhododendrons, trekking and camping

Jiangsu

• Lianshan Grassland (恋山草原, Nanjing 六合) – Rare lowland meadow, photogenic hills
• Yuntai Mountain Meadow (云台山草甸, Lianyungang 连云港) – Highland meadow meets coastal scenery

Shaanxi

• Shenmu Grassland (神木草原, Yulin 榆林) – Loess plateau, restored forestry, vast landscape
• Taibai Mountain Alpine Meadow (太白山高山草甸, Baoji 宝鸡) – High-altitude meadow, rhododendrons, glacial relics
• Huangling Grassland (黄陵草原, Yan’an 延安) – Loess plateau grassland, grazing livestock

Ningxia

• Guyuan Yunwushan Grassland (固原云雾山草原, Guyuan 固原) – Plateau grassland, hills and flower seas
• Yanchi Grassland (盐池草原, Wuzhong 盐池) – Desert grassland and sand control demonstration area

Henan

• Fuxi Mountain Xiaoma Plateau (伏羲山小马高原, Zhengzhou 新密) – Highland meadow, windmills, lakes, horse herds
• Yanshi Huangjin Grassland (偃师黄金大草原, Luoyang 偃师) – Northern Songshan foothills, golden grass slopes
• Songding Grassland (嵩顶草原, Gongyi 巩义) – 1200m+ alpine meadow, free access, high chance of sea of clouds

Northeast China

• Hulun Lake Grassland (呼伦湖草原, Inner Mongolia / Heilongjiang 内蒙古 / 黑龙江) – Wetland meadows, migratory birds
• Chagan Lake Grassland (查干湖草原, Songyuan 松原) – Reeds, wetlands, Mongolian culture, winter fishing
• Red Beach Grassland (红海滩草原, Panjin 盘锦) – Autumn red beach, reeds, rice paddies

Grasslands Travel Tips

Best Time to Visit

Clothing & Essentials

• Layered clothing for 10–15°C day-night temperature variation
• Summer: outdoor jacket or light down; high altitude: warm clothing year-round
• Sun protection: SPF50+, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, ice sleeves, insect repellent
• Footwear: hiking shoes or sports shoes
• Altitude equipment: anti-altitude sickness medicine, oxygen for Gannan / Sichuan / Tibet / Bayinbuluk
• Other: power bank, cash, thermos

Transportation

• Short trips: self-drive recommended
• Mid-long trips: flight + private car or shuttle
• Deep long trips: off-road vehicle or professional car service

Accommodation

• Cultural experience: Mongolian yurts, Xinjiang felt tents or wooden cabins, Tibetan guesthouses
• Comfort priority: county or city hotels
• Hidden villages: basic conditions; expectations should be moderate

Food Recommendations

• Inner Mongolia: grilled lamb, hand-pulled meat, Mongolian milk tea, dairy curds
• Xinjiang: Big Plate Chicken, hand-pulled meat, roasted buns, naan, yogurt nuggets
• Tibetan regions: yak hotpot, tsampa, butter tea, barley cakes
• Southern grasslands: local chicken, wild vegetables, cured meat, ethnic specialties

Etiquette & Safety

• Respect minority customs: avoid stepping on prayer flags or Mani piles; remove hats in temples; avoid loud noises; ask before photographing locals
• Protect grasslands: do not drive over meadows, do not pick flowers; pastoral areas are private
• Water safety: stay on boardwalks in wetland meadows (Zoige / Gahai)
• Wildlife: do not feed or disturb; in remote areas, avoid solo travel