Shandan Army Horse-breeding Farm is located at Damaying Grassland on the northern slope of Lenglong Peak of Qilian Mountains in the center of Hexi Corridor. Spanning over Gansu and Qinghai provinces and bordering three cities or prefectures and six counties, the farm covers a total area of 3.295 million mu.
It is the oldest royal horse farm in the world and used to be Asia's largest army horse-breeding farm, and world's second-largest only after Don Horse Farm of Soviet Union. Shandan Farm now is the largest in the world as the Don Horse Farm has dissolved.
Shandan Farm is an ideal location for horse breeding and raising, thanks to the flat land as well as the abundant water and grass resources. As early as 121 B.C., HuoQubing, a great general of the Western Han Dynasty, first started a farm here. Since the foundation of the Shandan Farm in September 1949, it has been under management of the Chinese Army for over 50 years.
Now it is the largest military horse breeder in China and even worldwide, and also a large producer of grain, oil, and meat for the Chinese Army.
Shandan Farm offers a splendid natural view. To get to the farm, travel for another 50 kilometers after reaching Damaying Grassland. Diversified activities are available, such as horse riding, camping, horse racing, equestrian shows, and natural sightseeing.
What's more, the farm is many directors' choice for shooting desert scenes. More than 30 films and dramas have been shot here, such as The Herdsman, Princess Wencheng, and Beyond the Great Wall. Thanks to them, the farm is now a hot travel destination in the eyes of TV and drama fans.
