[Step into a golden fairy tale | Ulan Butong European-style grassland hiking

· Day 1: Depart from Beijing → Saihanba → Ulan Butong Set off from Beijing early in the morning and drive 5 hours to Ulan Butong (admission ticket 120 yuan per person, valid for 3 days). Along the way, the golden larch forest in Saihanba is already rich with autumn colors, and the car window frames a moving oil painting. In the evening, stay in a Mongolian yurt in the scenic area (⚠️ book at least 1 month in advance during peak season!), nibbling on freshly roasted hand-held meat from local herders. Looking up, the Milky Way pours down—the city stress completely melts away at that moment. · Day 2: Princess lake morning mist → private ranch hiking → film set sunset ⛅️ 6 AM rush to Princess Lake! Morning mist wraps golden birch trees reflected on the lake. Set up your tripod to secure a shot (wear a red or white long dress for a magical look when the wind blows). 🚶 Morning hike with a local guide through a private ranch (avoiding crowds!). Haystacks, cattle, and vintage windmills feel like stepping into a Studio Ghibli fairy tale. Encounter a shepherd driving “clouds” by and pick a birch leaf to press into your notebook. 🌄 In the evening, climb the wooden boardwalk at the film set to overlook the sunset across the area—the rolling grasslands turn golden red in the dusk. Capture the same shot as seen in “My Fair Princess” and “The Legend of Mi Yue”! In the distance, smoke curls from Mongolian yurts, as if traveling back to the royal hunting grounds a century ago. · Day 3: Colorful mountain deep trek → Frog dam herding return- 🍁 Hike the 8 km loop of Colorful Mountain. The forest sea woven with red, yellow, and green looks like a spilled palette (sand gaiters are a must!). At the summit, catch the autumn wind stirring a rain of falling leaves. Drone shots reveal a massive land art piece. 🐑 At Frog Dam, wait for the 5 PM herding return. The flock steps through sunset light patches back to the pen. Use a telephoto lens for close-ups to capture a healing masterpiece (settings: VSCO A6 filter, low angle to highlight grassland lines). · 🧥 Clothing: Large temperature difference between day and night (up to 20℃!). Bring a windbreaker plus a light down jacket. During the day, pair a suede long dress with Martin boots for a fairy-like look in photos. · 🧴 Protection: High SPF sunscreen (SPF 50+), sunglasses, mosquito repellent (many grassland insects) · 🎒 Others: Insulated water bottle, power bank, hiking shoes (sand gaiters needed for some sections)