Xilingol League 3-Day Guide: Galloping Horses Across Paradise Grasslands

"Under the vast sky, wild winds ripple through the grass, revealing cattle and sheep" — Xilingol League boasts China's most pristine natural grasslands. The Site of Xanadu is Inner Mongolia's only UNESCO World Heritage Site. Ujimqin Grassland, Wulagai Grassland, and the Nine-Bend Xilin River — this is the true nomadic paradise.

🚶 Day 1: Site of Xanadu + Jinlianchuan Grassland

Morning: Site of Xanadu (UNESCO World Heritage)

• Site of Xanadu (¥60): The first capital built by Kublai Khan of the Mongol Empire. Marco Polo visited here and described it as a "breathtaking marble palace painted with gold and decorated with carved birds, animals, flowers and trees." Inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage in 2012. The site includes three concentric city walls — Palace City, Imperial City, and Outer City. Climb the Da'an Pavilion ruins for panoramic views of Jinlianchuan Grassland
• Site Museum (included in ticket): Displays unearthed artifacts and a full panorama of Yuan Dynasty history. Worth spending 1 hour here

Afternoon: Jinlianchuan Grassland

• Jinlianchuan Grassland (free): Surrounding the Site of Xanadu, this grassland bursts with golden lotus flowers in July-August, creating a golden carpet stretching to the horizon
• Horseback Riding: ¥100-200/hour with local herdsmen guiding you across the open plains
• Yurt Lunch: Hand-grabbed mutton ¥68/portion, Mongolian milk tea ¥15/pot, milk skin ¥20/portion

Evening: Zhenglan Banner Town

• Dinner recommendations: Roasted lamb leg ¥128/portion, Mongolian milk tea hotpot ¥88/pot
• Accommodation: Zhenglan Banner guesthouses ¥200-350/night

🚶 Day 2: Ujimqin Grassland + Mongol Khan City

Morning: West Ujimqin Grassland

• Ujimqin Grassland (free): One of China's most fertile grasslands, featuring meadow grassland, forest grassland, classic steppe, sparse forest steppe, and desert steppe — see every type of grassland in one day
• Genghis Khan Observation Mountain (¥30): 360° panoramic views of the vast Ujimqin Grassland from the summit

Afternoon: Mongol Khan City