Yudaokou Grassland
御道口草原
The core area of the Bashang grassland in Chengde, along the road Qing emperors used on their autumn hunts to the Mulan hunting grounds; lakes, meadows and sand dunes alternate, ideal for horseback riding, self-driving and camping under the stars.
Yudaokou Grassland and Forest Scenic Area lies in the northwest of Weichang County, next to Saihanba and the Ulan Butong grassland in Inner Mongolia. It sits at an elevation of 1,230 to 1,820 m and covers about 1,000 square km. It takes its name from the imperial road that Qing emperors used on their way to hunt in the Mulan hunting grounds. Grassland, lakes, forests and sandy terrain coexist here. The main sights are Taoshan Lake, Moon Lake and the source of the Little Luan River. Herders' horse farms dot the grassland, where visitors can ride horses, cross the grassland in off-road vehicles, try archery and join bonfire parties. In summer, golden lotus flowers and dried-branch plum cover the meadows; in autumn, white birches and larches change color. There is little light pollution at night, making this one of the best places on the Bashang plateau for stargazing and photographing the Milky Way. The scenic area shares a combined ticket with Saihanba (130 yuan, valid for two days), and self-driving into the area requires buying a separate road-use fee for the vehicle. In Yudaokou town, farmhouse courtyards and Mongolian yurt camps are slightly cheaper than in the Saihanba Machinery Forest Farm town. A suggested plan is to start from Yudaokou town and drive a loop: watch the sunrise at Taoshan Lake, have lunch at Moon Lake, go horseback riding in the afternoon, and return to town in the evening for hand-held mutton. It can also serve as an extra day added to a Saihanba itinerary. Notes: choose a licensed horse farm for riding, have a handler lead the horse, and wear a helmet. The grassland is open, so protect against sun and wind. Temperatures drop sharply at night. After rain, dirt roads turn muddy, so ordinary sedans should stay on paved roads.
Opening hours
Open all day (summer and autumn operations; some facilities closed in winter)
Nearby sights
- Saihanba Exhibition Hall
- Qixing Lake Wetland Park
- Taifeng Lake
- Shanghai Memorial Forest
- Wucai Mountain (Ulan Butong)
- Twelve Camps Site
- Moon Lake (Saihanba)
- Source of the Luan River