Chifeng

UNESCO-listed Keshiketeng Global Geopark encompasses nine distinct scenic areas showcasing dramatic geological diversity. The crown jewel is Asihatu Stone Forest (阿斯哈图石林) — towering granite pillars up to 30 meters tall, sculpted by Quaternary glaciers into surreal formations resembling castle walls, pillars, and animals. This is the world's only granite stone forest formed by glacial erosion.

Dalinur Lake (达里诺尔湖), Inner Mongolia's second-largest lake, spans 238 km² and serves as a crucial stopover for 6 million migratory birds annually. The volcanic region features over 100 extinct volcanoes and pristine grasslands. Other highlights include Qingshan rock formations, Huanggangliang forest, and Ulan Butong grassland landscapes.

Ulan Butong represents the quintessential Mongolian grassland experience — rolling meadows, scattered birch forests, and crystal-clear lakes under vast blue skies. This historic battleground of the Battle of Ulan Butong (1690) between Qing Emperor Kangxi and Galdan Khan now offers some of China's most photogenic landscapes.

Photographers flock here for the "golden hour" when sunrise paints the rolling hills in warm light, and horses graze against a backdrop of distant mountains. Popular spots include Princess Lake, Birch Forest Valley, and Three Gorges of Grassland. The area doubles as a film location for numerous Chinese TV dramas depicting the Qing Dynasty.

Yulong Sand Lake offers a surreal landscape where desert dunes meet a pristine lake — the "Sand Lake" name perfectly captures this improbable geography. Golden sand hills rise 50 meters high alongside emerald waters, creating a natural oasis in the heart of the Horqin Sandy Land. The contrast is striking: one moment you're sliding down dunes, the next watching waterbirds glide across the lake.

The site holds cultural significance as the discovery location of the first Hongshan Culture jade dragon artifact in 1971 — the "Yulong" (Jade Dragon) in the name honors this heritage. Visitors can explore the desert on camels, go sandboarding, take boat rides, or visit the on-site Mongolian cultural village. The lake's small island features walking paths and viewpoints.

The Hongshan Culture sites represent a watershed discovery in Chinese archaeology. First identified at Hongshanhou in 1935, these Neolithic settlements revealed a sophisticated civilization that flourished 5,000–6,000 years ago — predating and influencing the better-known Yellow River cultures. The culture is renowned for its exquisite jade artifacts, particularly the C-shaped jade dragon now housed in the National Museum of China.

The Chifeng Museum displays an impressive collection of Hongshan artifacts, including jade dragons, ritual objects, and tools. The original excavation site at Hongshanhou allows visitors to walk where archaeologists made their groundbreaking discoveries. Nearby Niuheliang site in Liaoning Province (accessible via tour) features China's earliest known temple complex and altar system.

The Kharachin Prince's Mansion stands as the best-preserved Mongol noble residence in China. Built in 1679, this architectural masterpiece served as the seat of the Kharachin Mongol princes for 12 generations. The complex spans 30,000 m² with over 400 rooms, blending Mongolian, Han Chinese, and Manchu architectural styles into a unique cultural synthesis.

Visitors can explore the grand halls, ancestral temples, gardens, and living quarters that once housed Mongol aristocracy. The mansion also served as an educational center — Prince Gongzhapu established the first modern school in Inner Mongolia here in 1902. The site features intricate woodcarvings, painted murals, and traditional courtyard layouts. Guided tours explain the complex history of Mongol-Qing relations and the role of the Kharachin princes.