Fengning, Saihanba & Chengde Bashang Loop

A summer and autumn road trip along the National No. 1 Scenic Byway, passing through Fengning, Saihanba, and Ulan Butong, and ending in Chengde.

The most classic summer road trip loop north of Beijing. Drive east from Fengning Datan along the National No. 1 Scenic Byway to admire the grasslands and man-made forest oceans, then head to Ulan Butong to see Jiangjun Paozi, and finally head south via Weichang to Chengde. Daily driving time is generally under 4 hours, though the leg from Ulan Butong to Chengde is longer. Perfect for road-tripping friends or families; to save time, you can skip Chengde and return directly to Beijing from Weichang.

The autumn colors are best in late September. Temperatures approach freezing in the morning and evening, so book accommodation early.

Day by day

Day 1 · Beijing to Fengning Datan Grassland

Fengning Bashang Grassland（China Horse Town、Jingbei No.1 Grassland (Datan)）

Drive from Beijing via the Beijing-Chengde Expressway and the highway towards Fengning for about 260 km (about 3.5 hours) to Datan.

It gets cold at night on the Bashang Grassland, so prepare a long-sleeved jacket even in midsummer.

Stay: Datan Town

Day 2 · National No. 1 Scenic Byway to Yudaokou

Fengning Bashang Grassland（Grand Khan's Palace、Qiansongba National Forest Park & Baili Sky Road） → Saihanba & Ulan Butong (Bashang)（Yudaokou Grassland）

Drive east along the National No. 1 Scenic Byway for about 180 km to Yudaokou. The highway is toll-free; the drive takes about 4 hours including stops.

There are few gas stations along the way, so fill up before departing from Datan.

Stay: Yudaokou

Day 3 · Saihanba Forest Ocean & Qixing Lake

Saihanba & Ulan Butong (Bashang)（Saihanba Exhibition Hall、Shanghai Memorial Forest、Saihan Tower、Qixing Lake Wetland Park）

Drive north from Yudaokou for about 1 hour to the forest farm. Drive between attractions, with travel times of 20 to 40 minutes each.

The general admission ticket policy has changed; some smaller attractions charge separately.

Stay: Saihanba Forest Farm Headquarters

Day 4 · Through the Forest to Ulan Butong Grassland

Saihanba & Ulan Butong (Bashang)（Taifeng Lake、Ulan Butong Film Base、Jiangjun Paozi Lake、Princess Lake）

Drive north from the forest farm headquarters along the internal road for about 1 hour to enter Ulan Butong, then drive around the grassland attractions (about 3 hours for the whole day).

Ulan Butong is in Inner Mongolia and requires a separate admission ticket; refuel before entering.

Stay: Ulan Buh

Day 5 · Hamaba to Chengde

Saihanba & Ulan Butong (Bashang)（Huamugou National Forest Park & Hamaba） → Chengde Urban Area（Nanyingzi Street）

Visit Hamaba in the morning, then take the expressway south via Weichang to Chengde (about 4 to 5 hours driving time).

This is the longest driving day of the trip; start early and arrive in Chengde before dark.

Stay: Lizheng Gate · Shuangqiao District

Day 6 · Chengde Mountain Resort & Return to Beijing

Chengde Urban Area（Chengde Mountain Resort、Puning Temple） → Beijing

Walk into the resort in the morning. In the afternoon, take the Beijing-Chengde Expressway for about 2.5 to 3 hours back to Beijing.

Book real-name tickets for Chengde Mountain Resort in advance; parking spaces are limited.