Huitengxile Prairie

(chinaculture.org)

Updated: 2014-01-08

Situated in the central and southern part of the Qahar Right Wing Middle Banner, Huitengxile Prairie is 135 kilometers east of Hohhot and 80 kilometers from the city of Jining.

Every May through September, Hutengxile becomes the sea of flowers.

Situated in the central and southern part of the Qahar Right Wing Middle Banner, Huitengxile Prairie is 135 kilometers east of Hohhot and 80 kilometers from the city of Jining. It is a 2A-class tourist district of Inner Mongolia.

Huitengxile, meaning "a cold prairie" in Mongolian, is more than 1,800 m above sea level, measuring more than 180 km from west to east. Hence it is cold in winter and cool in summer, with an average temperature of 18℃.

The scenic area boasts green mountains and clear waters. Every May through September, Hutengxile becomes the sea of flowers. Visitors can enjoy their stay here riding on horseback or camel, archery, watching wrestling, tasting local food, and joining in singing and dancing in the open air. Visitors can also attend a campfire party in the evening.

There's a natural cave in Meilitu Gully. Over 100 meters above ground level, the cave can hold nearly 100 people. The Heishan Mountain, noted for fairy stones, have a total of 99 grottoes, which can accommodate more than 300 people. In the Tang Dynasty (618-907 A.D.), this area was frequently visited by monks, Taoist priests and recluses, who sometimes also resided in it. Buddhist sutras and monk's clothing have been found in the cave.

Huitengxile Prairie has eight resorts, of which Qingsong Resort is hidden in a pine forest, with various small wooden rooms which are natural and simple; and Huanghua Resort is situated at the grassland belt rich in goldflowers.

With numerous goldflowers, steep cliffs and fountain waterfalls, Huitengxile Prairie has both the breadth of the grassland but the also the comeliness of southern China.