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Indulge in Inner Mongolia

When most Beijingers think of Inner Mongolia, they think of endless grasslands and barbecued lamb. But there is much more to see or touch in this captivating region, and it’s all accessible by car.

From a natural stone forest resembling in some ways the famous Stonehenge in southern England to thousands of swans resting on Dali Lake, both near Chifeng, there are numerous attractions for a visitor to experience in addition to the always interesting Mongolian people’s dairy foods and their sweet songs and dances. All these things are available within 680 kilometres of Beijing. About 450 kilometres from Beijing, your first stop will be at the “endless grassland” or “Wu Lan Bu Tong,” nicknamed “Ba Shang,” a famous site for breeding horses used in the army. Green grass, leaves in yellow and red and the white trunks and black tresses of silver birch combine to create a haven for photographers and visitors.

On the way to the next stop at Dali Lake—150 kilometres from “Ba Shang”—you will cross a desert. Crossing the desert in a well-equipped, cross-country car and with a good local guide is exciting and safe, but it will take you more than five hours to get out of this desert. You may experience some loneliness or despair, but just think of it as a rare experience in your life and enjoy the moment. It is exciting, and even professional racing drivers regard this area as challenging and exciting. When arriving at the highpoints of sand dunes, you are able to see clear lakes that dot the distant landscape.

At the northeastern part of Chifeng, the stone forest is another major attraction. Different from stone forests in Yunnan or Xinjiang, this natural stone forest is of granite. Most of the visitors are fascinated by the beautiful colours on the granite and their attractive shapes.

Finally, you will arrive at Dali Lake, the objective of the tale related here. It is said that the rich water supply here originates from nearby rivers and underground springs. At the narrowest point of the lake, a book could serve as a bridge. In some seasons, lucky visitors may be able to view thousands of fish swimming just under your feet. In addition, in spring and autumn, thousands of swans rest on the lake.

Along with the fantastic natural scenery, by all means you should try locally prepared barbecued lamb and the region’s wide variety of dairy foods. Enjoy the mouth-watering foods to the accompaniment of Mongolian songs and dance for an unforgettable experience.