The Bashang Grasslands, the nearest prairie destination from Beijing, have long been one of the ideal sites to escape the city's summer heat.

Located about 240 kilometers north of Beijing, the Bashang Grasslands cover 350 square kilometers.

The special climate and geographical position at the junction of the North China Plain and the Inner Mongolia Grasslands give Bashang its unique natural landscapes and make it a popular destination for tourists and photographers.

The yearly average temperature here is around 15 degrees. The period from June through September is the best time to visit, and in this period the average temperature rages from 17 degrees to 19 degrees, about 10 degrees lower than that in downtown Beijing.

Grassland tourism in Bashang is a recent phenomenon. Most of the area remains untouched, preserving both nature and local customs.

Many annual tourism activities are held in some of the county cities around the grasslands. Transportation and accommodation services were developed very quickly over the past few years to facilitate the growing number of visitors.

Horse riding, camping, watching local wrestling competitions, or staying in farmers' Mongolian yurts to eat roast whole sheep and other plain foods, are the main attractions for visitors.

Vast lakes, and sunrises and sunsets over the grasslands provide great views for city dwellers who've grown tired of the urban sprawl.

Generally, the Bashang Grasslands include four parts: Fengning Bashang, Zhangbei Bashang, Weichang Bashang and Guyuan Bashang. The four parts are located in four different counties of Hebei Province.

For visitors from Beijing, Fengning Bashang is the site that is most accessible.

A few years ago, foreigners were forbidden to enter Bashang, because it contains military installations. But recently the numbers of both Chinese and foreign visitors have been increasing each year, reaching a daily flow of 3,000 visitors these days. During the busy season, from May to October, the area receives at least 4,000 visitors per day.

Suggestions for travelers:

If you plan to visit the grasslands, please take warm clothing even in the hot summer. The temperature difference between day and night is large. It is very cool at night.

The underground water here is of bad quality. Plan to bring enough drinking water for your stay.

If driving to the grasslands, please fill you petrol tank. The return route is almost 600 kilometers. The Tanghekou Petrol Station is the last one in the Beijing area along the route. You'd best gas up there.

After passing You Gu Shen Tan, a Huairou destination, the road becomes narrow and rough, please drive carefully.

Take a flashlight for walking on the grasslands in the evening to gaze at the brilliant stars overhead. A flashlight will help you find the right way to go back to your camp.

Horse riding fees are usually 26 yuan (US$3) per hour. Rent a horse from the local legal travel agencies. Don't rent horses from local farmers, though their prices are lower, to avoid any potential trouble.

To get there:

If driving, go along Jingshun Road to the Kuliushu Roundabout and then drive towards Huairou District. For the rest of the trip follow the 111 National Road until you get to Fengning Town.

For bus travel, take the bus at the Sihui Bus Station (65574804), Xizhimen long-distance bus station (64673094) or Muxiyuan long-distance bus station (67267149). All the hotline services are in Chinese only.

For Fengning tourism complaints call the following hotlines: 0314-8013640, 0314-8012130.

(China Daily July 1, 2005)