Inner Mongolia · Hulunbuir
Stretching across some 93,000 square kilometres in China’s far northeast, the Hulunbuir Grassland is one of the largest and best-preserved prairies on Earth — a horizon that seems to have no edge at all. In summer it turns a deep, wind-combed green, broken by wildflowers and the winding Morigele River, with herds of horses, sheep and cattle drifting across the open land as they have for centuries. This is the heartland of Mongolian culture in China: staying overnight in a felt yurt, tasting roast lamb and milk tea, and watching horsemen gallop past at full speed. If your timing is right, the Naadam festival in July or August brings wrestling, horse racing and archery to the grassland. For a deeper experience, base yourself at Heishantou, ride out at dawn when the light is gold and the herds are moving, and spend an evening listening to long-song singing under a sky full of stars.
Tips: Come between June and September, when the grass is lushest; September brings golden autumn colour and fewer visitors. Pack layers — even summer evenings turn cool — plus mosquito repellent and sunscreen. Public transport is thin, so hire a car and driver from Hailar, and book yurts well ahead in peak season. Pair the grassland with the Ergun wetlands and a drive along the Morigele River road.
Photo: Sergio Tittarini / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)