Saihantala Grassland in Baotou.
Saihantala (meaning "beautiful grassland" in Mongolian), a national 4A scenic area and Asia's largest original ecological grassland within a city, is located in the main urban area of Baotou. Tens of thousands of acres of grassland are embedded in the city, with high-rise buildings and grassland forming a unified view, earning it the title of Baotou's urban green lung and a city landmark.
• Area: Approximately 10,680 acres (712 hectares), with a main ring road about 10 kilometers long. Admission is free, and it is open all day. A visit of 3-4 hours is recommended.
• Location: Located within the city, easily accessible by subway and bus, allowing you to experience grassland scenery without long journeys.
Must-see attractions:
1. Unique landscape: A blend of pristine sparse forest grassland, four sandy river wetlands, reed marshes, and red willow forests. Free-range cattle, sheep, deer, rabbits, and migratory birds roam the park. Scenes of grazing cattle and sheep are commonplace, and the viewing platform offers panoramic views of the grassland meadows and the city skyline.
2. Feed the deer at the Sacred Deer Park – a family-friendly activity; Walk clockwise around Aobao Mountain three times for blessings, experiencing a strong atmosphere of prayer flags; Cycle around the lake, stroll along the wetland boardwalk, or choose a sightseeing bus; Horse riding, archery, and enjoy authentic Mongolian cuisine like hand-pulled mutton and milk tea in a yurt; Regularly held folk activities include Aobao worship ceremonies and equestrian performances.
3. Important Notes: The park is large, and walking alone takes a long time; most people rent bicycles. There is no mandatory spending. Locals often come for camping, picnics, and leisure exercise. The scenery is distinct in all four seasons, with summer being the best time to visit due to its lush greenery.
You can also rent a shared bicycle outside; a 10km ride is very comfortable, and watching the beautiful grassland sunset is quite pleasant and romantic. Both above-ground and underground parking are convenient.