Plan at a glance
Grassland, historic battlefield, and photography spots
Ulan Butong Scenic Area is in the southwest of Hexigten Banner. In its broader sense, the area includes grassland, historic battlefield sites, and the Huamugou forest area. For your visit, distinguish between the scenic-area entrance and the ticketed zones. The Film Base (影视基地), Wucai Mountain (五彩山), General's Pond (将军泡子; General's Paozi), and Princess Lake (公主湖) are common choices in the grassland area. Hama Ba (蛤蟆坝) belongs to Huamugou National Forest Park, so check its ticket arrangements separately.
How many days to allow
By car, allow one day (about 8–10 hours) for the main grassland sights. Allow two days if you want to photograph sunrise and sunset and make slower stops. Choose one sunrise spot and one evening spot each day, and order the stops according to the open-area map. Do not try to fit two sunset locations into the same evening.
Tickets and activity fees
When buying a ticket, confirm the current price, validity period, whether entrances are interchangeable, and any fees for individual attractions. Each attraction, performance, and paid activity has its own opening hours. Ask operators separately about horse riding, performances, camel carts, and similar activities.
Tickets and visit details
View visit options for this attraction and confirm the visit date and current arrangements before you go.
Choose your visit
The Film Base and meadow
The area around the Film Base has grassland, wetlands, gentle slopes, and birch trees, with seasonal meadows and light that changes through the day. The Chifeng Culture and Tourism Bureau describes it as a film location. Huamugou also has a photography base, so use the full scenic-area name when navigating.
Wucai Mountain and autumn foliage
Wucai Mountain is known for its autumn foliage, usually at its best from late September to early October. The actual colors depend on that year's weather. In other seasons, you can still see the slopes, woodland, and meadows.
General's Pond and Princess Lake
General's Pond offers views of the lake, grassland, and historic battlefield remains. Princess Lake sits among sandy landscapes, with trees along the shore. If time is limited, choose one and decide how long to stay based on what is open, the wind, and your return route.
Historic battlefield and grassland scenery
The historic battlefield area includes place names and remains such as Dianjiangtai (点将台), the Twelve Camps (十二座连营), and the tomb of Tong Guogang (佟国纲墓). Stay within the areas open to visitors; do not climb on historic remains or cross barriers. If a navigation pin falls inside a protected area or private property, confirm that entry is permitted before going.
Build your day
One-day route | about 8–10 hours
Before sunrise, choose either the Film Base or another viewpoint open that day. After daylight, visit daytime stops such as Baicao Aobao (百草敖包) and Wucai Mountain. In the afternoon, finish at General's Pond or Princess Lake. Follow the day's open-area map when ordering the stops and leave time to return to your accommodation.
Two-day photography itinerary
On day one, watch sunrise at the Film Base, visit the meadows, Baicao Aobao, and Wucai Mountain during the day, then finish at one open location in the evening. On day two, go to an open lakeshore such as General's Pond in the morning, then visit additional grassland or historic battlefield sights during the day. Splitting sunrise and sunset photography across two days also leaves time to rest and drive.
Plan Huamugou as a separate leg
If you want to visit Hama Ba, Jinchan Lake (金蟾湖), and the birch forest, set aside another half-day to a full day for Huamugou and check its entrance and shuttle arrangements separately. The broad Ulan Butong area name includes the Huamugou forest area, but that does not mean the two ticket systems are interchangeable. Confirm the ticket type and areas open that day before travelling.
Sunrise, sunset, and the return trip
Check sunrise and sunset times and road access before setting out. Do not try to catch sunsets at two lakes in one evening, drive onto grassy slopes to chase the light, or stop in the road. Before adding horseback riding, a performance, or a sightseeing vehicle, confirm the finish time and how you will return to your parked car.
Get there
Reaching the scenic area and choosing an entrance
Ulan Butong is about 120 km from Jingpeng Town and is best reached by driving or hiring a car. Navigate to an official ticketed entrance that is open that day. It is easy to confuse which entrances correspond to the north and south gates and to the Jingwu Line or Saihanba direction; follow the day's navigation and entrance notices rather than guessing by direction, and do not navigate only to “Ulan Butong Township.”
Scenic-area roads and vehicles
Most main roads are paved, while access roads to remote viewpoints may be gravel. Choose routes that are open for your vehicle and follow road signs. An ordinary car should stay on confirmed main roads. Even with a high-clearance vehicle, do not leave the road to enter grassland, sandy areas, or wetlands. Follow on-site directions around road closures.
Public transport and evening returns
If travelling without a car, first confirm the last-mile connection to the official entrance, bookable pickup points, and evening return services. If public transport does not connect with your schedule, arrange a hired car or pickup in advance. Signal can be unreliable on the grassland, so download an offline map and save your accommodation address.
Know before you go
Main ticket and individual fees
Before buying, confirm the price, validity period, when the validity clock starts, and which entrances you can use. Attractions, riding, performances, and shuttles may cost extra. Confirm the price and return arrangements before paying.
The boundary between Hama Ba and Huamugou
Hama Ba Scenic Area is part of Huamugou National Forest Park, while the broader Ulan Butong Scenic Area also includes the Huamugou forest area. Names at different levels do not prove that tickets are interchangeable. When visiting Hama Ba, follow Huamugou's entrance, opening, and ticket notices.
Grassland roads, livestock, and paid activities
Drive only on open roads and park in designated areas. Do not drive onto grassland to take photos or chase livestock. For horse riding, performances, and camel carts, confirm the operator, total price, duration, route, and how the animal will be led. Programs may change and fixed showtimes are not guaranteed.
Weather, food, and accommodation
Temperatures and wind can change considerably between day and night on the Bashang Plateau. Bring windproof, warm clothing for early mornings, evenings, and winter. The sights are spread out, so bring water and simple food. Check opening hours and prices before dining or staying in Ulan Butong Sumu (township) or Jingpeng Town. Flowering, autumn colors, snow cover, and herd activity all vary with the weather.