Past the greenest pastures

Ethnic Mongolians herd horses on Xilingol's grasslands. [Photo provided to China Daily]

But there's more to the palette that colors the region during the season, such as blanched deserts and cerulean lakes.

That's not to mention human elements that tint its cultural tapestry, such as archery, horse racing and wrestling.

The autonomous region's topography is crumpled to conjure mountains. In some spots, Earth's crust is torn to make volcanoes bleed to shape scabs and scars on our planet's skin.

Hulun Buir's grassland is among the country's best preserved and is best to visit between June and September.

A camel caravan trots over the Xiangshawan (Sounding Sand) Desert in Erdos. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Travelers ride horses on grasslands or fish on their rivers. They boat on Hulun Lake.

Erdos' Xiangshawan offers deserts sprinkled with oases, where Mongolian culture thrives.

The Tengger Desert is China's fourth biggest of its kind. Hundreds of lakes reflect its thousands of dunes.

Mongolian scotch pines prickle Hailar's national forest.

Tourism authorities are working to let people know that, while the region has become synonymous with grasslands, it offers much more.

"We're launching the 'prairie-plus' development strategy to offer multiple experiences and change stereotypes about Inner Mongolia," says Wei Guonan, director of the region's tourism authority.

They've developed driving routes and products with such themes as folk customs.

A road-trip itinerary that traces the region's north from Hulun Buir to Alxa connects Inner Mongolia's main attractions.