The beautiful and low-key Ulan Maodu Grassland

Ulan Maodu Grassland is located at the southern foot of the Greater Khingan Range, between Aershan City and Ulanhot City in the Hinggan League of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, in the northern part of Horqin Right Front Banner, adjacent to the Eastern Province of Mongolia and National Highway 302. It is a typical Hangai grassland. "Hangai" is an ancient Mongolian term meaning "grassland in the forest." The Mongolian people refer to the high-quality pastures at the edge of the forest as Hangai grasslands. The terrain of Hangai grasslands is gentle, mostly consisting of gentle hills and valleys. Rivers originate from the dense forests and mountains, nourishing the grasslands below. The forest, rivers, and grasslands form a complete ecosystem. Generally, we understand Hangai grasslands as a world with blue skies, white clouds, grasslands, rivers, hills, and forests. In the eyes of herders, Hangai grasslands are paradise. There are three reasons for this: First, Hangai grasslands are located at the foot of the mountains, providing wind protection and warmth, making it convenient for ancient nomadic peoples to overwinter. Second, the terrain of Hangai grasslands is gentle, with slow runoff, which is conducive to river water infiltration, weak soil evaporation, good moisture conditions, and lush grass growth. Third, the groundwater level in the valley areas is high, and mouse holes are often flooded by groundwater, making it difficult for them to inhabit, resulting in light rodent damage. Hangai grasslands are one of the few pristine grasslands in the world that are free from pollution, rodent damage, and desertification. Ulan Maodu Grassland is located in the transition zone from the Greater Khingan Range to the Horqin Grassland and Songnen Plain. It belongs to the northern hilly grassland of the Horqin Grassland and is the largest pure pastoral area in the Hinggan League, with the largest number of livestock, covering a total area of more than 8,000 square kilometers. Ulan Maodu is a Mongolian term meaning "red tree," named for its abundant red willow. On the Ulan Maodu Grassland, 45 million mu of grassland waves in the wind, 28 million mu of forests grow vigorously, over 300 rivers shimmer, and countless horses, cattle, and sheep are scattered like pearls on the grassland. Ulan Maodu Grassland is one of China's most secretive spiritual pastures. It is nestled between the Greater Khingan Range, the Yanshan Mountains, and the Liaoxi Corridor, surviving in the crevices of the Inner Mongolia Plateau, the North China Plain, and the Northeast Plain, making it the most obscure grassland in Inner Mongolia. You must have heard of the Hulunbuir Grassland, the Xilingol Grassland, the Ulan Butong Grassland, and you might have heard of the Ordos Grassland, the Horqin Grassland, and the Gongger Grassland. You might even have heard of the Xilamuren Grassland, the Huitengxile Grassland, the Subohan Grassland, and the Gegentala Grassland, but chances are, you have never heard of the Ulan Maodu Grassland, a name that is even a bit of a tongue-twister. It is just that low-key. In the height of summer in August, the most beautiful season on the grassland, we drove from the Heiyangshan Tourist Resort all the way to the heart of the Ulan Maodu Grassland. The scenery along the highway was continuous, with horses, cattle, and sheep everywhere, but no tourists. Throughout the day, we rarely encountered other vehicles, allowing us to enjoy the entire grassland to ourselves. If you, like me, are tired of the crowds and hustle and bustle, I suggest you take a trip to the Hinggan League and stay for a few days on the Ulan Maodu Grassland to heal yourself.