Dreaming of Horses, Traveling Through a Millennium. 3-Day 2-Night Self-Drive to Bashang, Unlocking New Grassland Experiences

After the clouds part, the moon appears; wait patiently and flowers will eventually bloom. 2020 was indeed a year to be remembered forever. After a rollercoaster of events, Beijing finally saw the sun break through the clouds, and we could freely travel. A group of friends drove north from Beijing, heading to the long-cherished Bashang Grassland in Chengde, to embrace that refreshing summer breeze.

The Bashang Grassland in Fengning, Chengde, is known as Beijing's backyard summer retreat. Summer temperatures here are 10 degrees Celsius lower than in Beijing. The vast, magnificent grassland and countless galloping horses create the expansive, timeless beauty described in the poem: 'Under boundless sky, on vast wildland, the wind blows grass low to reveal cattle and sheep.' It fulfills the urban dream of 'riding horses and galloping free in the mortal world,' while also offering photographers scenes of freedom and contentment.

More than a decade ago, when I first visited Bashang, it was a favorite only among a few outdoor enthusiasts and photographers. Despite its beautiful scenery, the conditions for food, lodging and travel were challenging, which deterred many, especially families with children.

Now, the highway network extends in all directions, bringing dramatic changes. Especially with the emergence of our destination – the China Horse Town Tourist Resort in Datan Town, Fengning, Chengde – a grassland trip now offers many more options beyond riding fine horses and eating roast lamb.

Datan Town in Fengning, where China Horse Town is located, has been an important pastureland since the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods for the Yan State. Historical records say that Kublai Khan trained his iron cavalry here before sweeping across the Central Plains to unify the nation. During the Qing Dynasty, a Rehe horse farm was established here, called Hailiutu, meaning 'land of lush water and grass,' where '100,000 Rehe iron cavalry' raised horses and garrisoned troops.

Building on this profound historical and cultural heritage, China Horse Town skillfully blends 'grassland horse culture' with 'Manchu-Mongolian customs,' using regional culture as its highlight and modern technology to interpret historical legends, creating a comprehensive resort that combines learning with fun. Some say China Horse Town is the Disneyland of the grasslands. It has flooded social media feeds in recent years, planting a seed in our hearts, and this time we finally realized our wish.

DAY 1: Beijing - Chengde City - Fengning County - Datan Town - China Horse Town

4-hour drive - Hotel check-in - Nearby grassland - Dinner - Fireworks show

DAY 2: China Horse Town

Breakfast - Dancing Horse World Theme Park - Scenic area cultural street - Lunch at food street - Royal Stables - God of War Zhao Zilong show - Nearby grassland - Roast lamb dinner

DAY 3: China Horse Town - Beijing

Breakfast - Dancing Horse World Theme Park - Watch park performances - Ancient costume experience - Lunch - Grassland - Return trip

Our 3-day, 2-night itinerary is for reference only; you can combine and adjust activities according to your own preferences and situation. We purchased a 3-day, 2-night hotel package that included two entries to the theme park. In hindsight, that was a wise choice, because on the second morning it rained heavily, and many scheduled outdoor performances were canceled. Fortunately, with the second entry we could catch up the next day without missing anything. The grassland weather in July and August is changeable, with rain being common, so staying two nights is the safest bet for a relaxed trip.

China Horse Town is a comprehensive tourist resort with a planned investment of 8 billion yuan. The completed first phase includes four major components: Dancing Horse World Theme Park, Manchu Charm & Equestrian Fantasy Show Theater, Roast Lamb Gourmet Street, and a cluster of Mongolian and Tibetan-themed hotels, with nearly 40 tourism projects. In the future, more experiences like an RV park and Eight Banners tents will be added. It sounds complex, but after a few days playing here, we’ve got it all figured out. After reading this, you’ll be an expert on China Horse Town too.

The core of China Horse Town is the Dancing Horse World park, themed around horse culture and the largest area. After walking around a few times, we found that most people can easily cover it on foot, without the exhausting trek of some mega theme parks. The park includes horse culture educational exhibits, cultural landscapes, creative shops, entertainment experiences, and more. But the main highlight is the ever-present interactive experiences and immersive performances at different times. From mischievous kids to white-haired seniors, everyone can find their own fun here.

Before visiting Dancing Horse World, the most important thing is to follow the China Horse Town official WeChat account. There you’ll find a detailed park map and the daily performance schedule. Just follow along according to your preferences. For popular shows, be sure to arrive a few minutes early to secure a good spot.

Each morning's opening ceremony is grand, with nearly all performers in splendid costumes. The mascot is adorable, a striking contrast to the ancient-style civil and military officials. Kenyan performers in black and white attire also stand out, with their humorous antics drawing bursts of happy laughter.

Due to the pandemic this year, masks are required upon entry and health codes are checked. Some large-scale indoor performances are suspended. Management is very strict, a responsible approach that’s good for everyone.

Entering the park feels like stepping into the world of horses. Welcoming us were several colorful horse-drawn carriage art sculptures, which attracted many children.

The horse museum on either side showcases cultural symbols of horses from ancient and modern times, both Chinese and foreign. There are ancient Chinese horse tack, European aristocratic riding costumes, and even a complete horse skeleton. Through VR and 5D games, you can virtually experience the joy of riding a horse, absorbing a wealth of knowledge and culture without even realizing it.

The streets are built in the style of the Three Kingdoms period, with an antique charm. Lifelike replicas of a theater, county office, prison, and school are interspersed, and even a romantic old-world house is recreated, giving you a feeling of traveling back in time, like walking into a movie.

On both sides of the streets are specialty shops. You can find traditional Manchu-style tobacco pipes or nostalgic nooks filled with old objects. Those who love a chic, laid-back vibe will find plenty to adore.

The Tilted House and the Strange House made me dizzy the moment I stepped in, and I hurried out. Escape rooms and magic mirror experiences are tucked in between, and some people can't get enough of them. There are many more interactive games like these; you can easily spend half a day exploring with the map.

As you walk down the street, suddenly a pair of armored warriors burst through the crowd, escorting a prison cart. A few ancient-scholar figures stroll by chatting and laughing, while street performers, a ragged beggar, a phony fortune-teller, and acrobats mingle around you. It's like traveling backward along a river of history, instantly transported back to ancient times. This interactive experience happens once in the morning and once in the afternoon, and it’s a lot of fun.

Time it right to catch each delightful interactive performance: the Three Sworn Brothers in the Peach Garden, a lively brothel talent show, and a comically exaggerated county court trial. Every one makes you feel part of the act—lighthearted historical comedies that relax the mind and body.

To fully immerse yourself, rent an ancient costume at the entrance lobby. Pick your favorite, and instantly become a refined scholar, a handsome warrior, an elegant maid, or a quirky advisor, creating unique scenes in every corner of the streets.

The highlight among the many shows is the large-scale live-action horse battle performance 'God of War Zhao Yun' every afternoon—not to be missed. Galloping horses, flying sparks, clashing swords and spears—this live staging tells the story of Zhao Yun risking his life to rescue the child lord at Changban Slope during the Three Kingdoms period. The gripping plot, realistic scenes, and superb horseback skills immerse spectators of all ages in the thrilling battle. It's absolutely an epic show, and Zhao Yun is quite handsome too. If it rains, the show is canceled for safety, so plan enough time, and the rest is up to heaven.

Rarely has one animal been so universally admired across time and cultures. Beyond their traditional role as transport, horses symbolize positivity, courage, and an indomitable spirit. The veneration of horses is also a key part of Manchu-Mongolian culture. The defining feature of China Horse Town is the horse; horse images are everywhere, some bold and grand, others delicate and gentle. It's safe to say they are the soul of China Horse Town.

The European-style Royal Stables demonstrate the resort’s sincere reverence for fine horses from around the world. Dubbed a 'five-star hotel' for horses, the stables are simple yet stylish, exuding a noble and regal air. Each horse has its own spacious, beautiful, and impeccably clean stall.

Every purebred horse from China and abroad has an impressive pedigree: Akhal-Teke, Mongolian, Arabian, Polish, and Welsh horses, with the most valuable ones exceeding a million yuan. Here they enjoy royal treatment.

We met a trainer who enthusiastically explained the different breeds, habits, and history of the horses. We could also get up close to them. Horses are spiritual creatures; becoming a horse whisperer is hard, but reading their eyes is not so difficult.

China Horse Town is not only full of fun activities; outside Dancing Horse World there is a Roast Lamb Gourmet Street. Besides the famous whole roast lamb, it gathers delicious snacks from all over China: tempting freshly roasted beef jerky, cute trendy milk tea, and even international specialty foods. With so many eateries side by side and a dazzling array of treats, you’ll easily be spoiled for choice.

At noon we stepped into an elegantly decorated restaurant and were surprised to find it specialized in Chengde’s 'Manchu Eight Big Bowls.' The Eight Big Bowls were originally humble home-style dishes of the Manchu people. During the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty, the famously lavish 'Manchu-Han Imperial Feast' emerged, divided into 'Upper Eight Treasures,' 'Middle Eight Treasures,' and 'Lower Eight Treasures.' The Manchu Eight Big Bowls were the 'Lower Eight Treasures.' Today, these are simply humble braised hairtail, red-braised pork, and the like—simple fare for any budget.

The most popular dish is, of course, the whole roast lamb at the 'Number One Roast Lamb Restaurant Under Heaven,' a specialty of the Bashang Grassland since ancient times. They use lamb under one year old from Xilingol, roasted on a special rack over charcoal while turning. Watching a dozen lambs roasting in a glass-walled room is quite spectacular. During roasting, a unique Bashang sauce is brushed on, resulting in a crispy outside, tender inside, golden-brown color, and an irresistible aroma.

Once served, there's a ceremonial opening: a 'Beile' (Manchu prince) in traditional attire reads an imperial edict granting the roast lamb, adding a sense of ritual to the dish. When eating, everyone stands in a circle around the lamb, wearing disposable gloves, and tears off the skin, meat, and ribs directly. This 'harvest-style' way of eating does seem more delicious than sitting primly at a table.

The order of eating here is quite distinctive: first the skin, then the meat, then the ribs, then the legs, then skewers, and finally soup. After eating the skin and some meat, the chef takes the lamb away, brushes on more sauce, and roasts it again. Then you continue with more meat and ribs, and after another round of roasting, the legs and skewers are served. Finally, the soup is made from the bones with some meat still attached, turning the original broth into a meal, wasting nothing.

Besides traditional flavors, the gourmet bar street has plenty of chic and trendy restaurants and bars. On a summer evening, step into 913 Music Restaurant & Bar at the street corner. Its stylish, elegant decor, and delicious food that's a feast for the eyes, plus sipping a drink in a rooftop glass room, gives you a feeling almost like being in Sanlitun.

Even on the vast grasslands, the nightlife at China Horse Town is full of energy. On a rainy night, friends gathered at Hero Square, dancing and reveling to the music. African performers on stage sang and danced passionately. The collision of music and flames ignited everyone's inner fire. At the climax, fireworks soared into the sky, illuminating the night in a dreamlike, fairy-tale display.

Although the Bashang Grassland has been famous for its beauty for many years, the supporting tourism facilities used to be quite backward, especially with almost no decent hotels. Poor accommodation directly lowered the travel experience. Now, China Horse Town has invested heavily to build the two best hotels on Fengning Bashang: Dream Horse Hotel and White Horse Hotel.

White Horse Hotel features Mongolian cultural style, while the Dream Horse Hotel we stayed in is Tibetan-style. The facilities and service reach five-star standards. When visiting Bashang, you can experience a yurt but also stay in a luxury hotel like in a big city. Externally, Dream Horse Hotel resembles the Potala Palace in miniature. Inside, it’s modern and cozy, with spacious rooms. The public areas are decorated with horse-culture adornments, full of artistic flair. There’s also a children's play area, and the restaurant is quite good. Our 3-day, 2-night hotel package included 2 park entries, a great deal.

This time we also stumbled upon another lodging option outside Dancing Horse World: China Horse Town actually has an apartment complex. We took shelter from the rain and looked around. You can choose from one-bedroom to three-bedroom units, stylishly decorated with subtle horse motifs. The biggest advantage is that you can cook, making it ideal for families with children or groups of friends. Checking booking sites, prices are similar to B&Bs on the outskirts of Beijing, but room numbers are limited, so early booking may be necessary.

Beijing - Datan:

Self-driving route:

(You can enter 'China Horse Town Dancing Horse World Theme Park' for navigation)

Beijing – China Horse Town (approx. 4 hours): Jingcheng Expressway -> National Highway G111 -> Enter Capital Ring Expressway -> National Highway G239 -> Arrive at China Horse Town Dancing Horse World Theme Park.

Every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, a bus departs from Dongzhimen Oriental Ginza Parking Lot at 7:30 a.m., passing Shaoyaoju Subway Station at 8:00 a.m., and returns the next day at 1:00 p.m. from the West Parking Lot on Mazhen South Road (east of the Gourmet Street archway).

Ticket price: Dancing Horse World ticket 200 yuan.

At night, the grassland is cool and quiet—a peaceful emptiness after the day’s excitement. Sleep well, have sweet dreams, with horses in your dreams. Happiness is that simple.