Inner Mongolia Horse Trek
For over a year now, I have been living and working in Shanghai, and, for better or for worse, have been enjoying it. However, despite my choice to move to Shanghai, I do try to follow one of the basic rules of thumb for traveling: Don't judge a country by its big cities. In accordance with this, I have been taking most of the opportunities I have been given to get out of this bustling metropolis and into the more remote (and beautiful) places this country has to offer
One of the greatest, and most memorable, trips I have taken was to the awe inspiring Saihan Embankment of Inner Mongolia during the week of China's National Day holiday.
Everything about this excursion was wonderful, including the trip there. It was very well organized by a company called Unique Trips of China, or UTC (www.uniquetrip.net). We left from Shanghai in the evening, taking the night train to Beijing (soft sleepers, of course). Upon arrival in China's capital city we took in a few sights and stretched our legs before boarding our own personal bus for Saihan. This leg of the journey, though primarily just for transportation, afforded us some beautiful sights and views of the countryside (all the more beautiful coming from the super-urban, super-grey environment of Shanghai). After stopping for a rest at The Great Wall, we continued on, passing stunning lakes, glittering in the sunlight, alongside vast grassy fields, waving in the breeze, with mountains in the background, composed of rock and vegetation of a variety of colors.
As beautiful as this scenery was, it was, of course, nothing compared to what we would find upon arriving at our destination, where we were met with more, endless grassy fields atop immense, rolling hills, all covered in the beautiful, golden colors of autumn, and a big, beautiful sky that went on forever. This wonderful environment could be compared, lightly, to the large countryside that is the state of Montana (AKA Big Sky Country), but with a distinctly Chinese feel to it. In fact, if there is one word to describe this location, it is "big."
As with most rural places that can, in a nutshell, be described as "big", one of the best ways to see the land is by riding atop a horse, which was one of the primary activities of this excursion. I come from Missouri, a central state in the United States with a lot of countryside and I spent a lot of my childhood summers seeing it perched in a saddle on the back of a horse, but, admittedly, I quickly identified with the horses of Inner Mongolia. Though they are, like myself, a bit smaller than average, they are far tougher and more durable than average, also not unlike myself (as I would like to believe). This is not surprising, however, as they tend to thrive at the high altitude of the Saihan embankment, which often reaches heights of 2000 meters (about 6,500 feet) or higher. The air is thin, the nights are cold, and the ground is dry and hard. One must be tough and strong to survive in this climate and these horses are certainly up to the task.
After a long day of horseback riding, which was a bit of a shock for some of our delicate backsides, it was a pleasure to come back to the farm, where we were provided lodging by a very kind and generous local family. There we were able to get cleaned up a bit, and then were very well fed. Our host family themselves were wonderful as well. The father was quite a character, always joking and challenging us to eat and drink more. His wife, the mother, took us in as though we were her own, always making sure we had eaten enough. And, of course, their son, a young man who had grown up on the farm and was better on horseback than all the rest of us put together.
The dinners provided for us by our hosts were some of the most memorable I have ever had. The true traditional good food, raised by this almost entirely self sufficient community was some of the best any of us had ever had. Home raised pork and mutton, home grown tomatoes, cucumbers and other vegetables of all kinds, kept our stomachs full and content throughout the entire trip. The atmosphere around the dinner table could have had no comparison either. Spirits were always high, regardless of soreness or stiffness. In fact, this often seemed the reason for them being so elevated. It was certainly a large source of entertainment for our hosts, though they always managed to make us feel as though we were one of them, despite whatever language or cultural barriers there were. None of us will soon forget the nights of good food and drink, stuffing ourselves, sprawling and relaxing after a hard day in the home of our hosts.
While riding horses was the main focus of the vacation, there were plenty of other activities to keep us busy as well. There was fishing, in one of the many streams that babbled their way through the area. We also took cracks at some of the daily activities of local daily life, most memorably sheep herding, though it seems our feeble attempts were as much for the amusement of the locals as they were for our own entertainment. The result of this, however, was one of the best meals any of us had had in our lives. Fresh barbequed mutton, outside by the fire, under the stars, made it all worthwhile.
All of us were a bit disappointed when, at last, the week ended and the time came for us to return to Shanghai. We thanked and said goodbye to our wonderful hosts, boarded the bus, and headed for Beijing, via, once again, the wonderful scenery that accompanied us on the way out as well. We arrived in Beijing with several hours to spare before we had to go to the airport from where we would catch a plane back to Shanghai. This gave us time to enjoy a wonderful, Beijing-style hot-pot and to go off and see a few of the many sights Beijing has to offer.
Finally, the time came for us to catch our plane back to Shanghai. By this time we were all ready for a nice hot shower and our own warm beds. All in all, this was an excellent way to spend our break and a vacation that would linger in our minds for years to come.
This article is provided by Unique Trip.
Introduction:
Unique trip, is intended to help you experience the genuine journey of China, which takes you to the deep villages, forests, mountains, grasslands, as well as the famous environment protection area to feel the scenery, culture and long history there; You are able to keep zero distance with the local people, to taste their daily life from a unique perspective, which you will never reach before, a perspective that entirely beyond your imagination and facilitate the dialogue between you and the real China.
Unique trip is a professional urge and organizer for outdoors journey. Guiding by both the professional plan and the excellent leader, one can experience the sight and fun which the other ordinary journey can not give you. This is a journey combined with the humanism review, through which you can keep in touch with the local culture, food, custom and history. Such most direct communication will bring you a new taste.
New Inner Mongolia Horse Trek on October 1st to October 7th!
Day 1, Meeting at Shanghai railway station on 18:00pm, by the train from Shanghai to Beijing by one night.
The train equips with soft sleepers, 4 persons in each comfortable partition. Members can know each other and obtain the first briefing of this journey in dining room and taproom.
Day 2, Arrive at Beijing in the morning, Change to take bus which start from Beijing to inner Mongolia by one day, and arrive in destination, swallow nest village of Saihan--Inner Mongolia in the evening.
We are going through the Great Wall and via the north of Hebei province, take pictures along the beautiful sight when taking a rest on the way. When we arrive at the destination you will immediately feel the unique view, smoke from kitchen chimneys, horses and passionate villagers of grassland as soon as getting off. We will be living in the local leader's house. First settle down, and then take a shower, then comes to enjoy the rich family dinner in the leader's house, taste the local wine, and have a free talk with local people regarding the culture, the custom and the cute Mongolia horses. After the dinner but before going to bed, we could enjoy the sparkling stars for a while since it is so beautiful here.
Day 3, One day trip from the village to Wucai Mountain, both your can choose riding horse or by jeep go through the picturesque journey.
While having breakfast prepared by the villager leader's house, our group leader will make a brief introduction about today's arrangement and the things that need attention. 7:30, we would pick up the suitable horses under the expert's guidance so that feel genuine horse-riding and grassland, the long journey riding. We prepared 2 jeeps following the riding group to carry food and drink, as well as offering convenience for those who are worn out. Around 11:30 we would arrive a place named Wucai Mountain, where we enjoy 2 hours picnic time and have a nap on the grassland. 13:30. we would across silver birch forest and continue our trip until 18:30 we return back our living place. Wine and gigot will be the following theme after cleaning ourselves.
Day 4, After a long day horse riding, it is time to have a good rest and taste the local delicious food.
We are going to capture the sheep and burn a bonfire BBQ and dancing in the evening, try the home raised pork and mutton, home grown tomatoes, cucumbers and other vegetables of all kinds, kept our stomachs full and content throughout the entire trip.
Day 5, One more day trip horse riding to a famous landscape place, a quiet elegant and beautiful lake which called Paozi by local people.
We will continue to sight see at least 40 kilometers away, a small lake named as "Paozi", which is originated from the ground water come out from the General Grassland. Here is the famous Ulan Bator ancient battle field. Ulan Bator means "red crock-shaped Mountain" in Mongolian. In the 29th year of KangXi Dynasty, "Geerdan", the leader of Zhungeer Clan, set up an armed riot. It turned out to be suppressed by Qing army. In order to memorize General Tong Guogang---Kangxi's uncle, people named the center lake as "General Massif" Due to drought, it was split into two lakes that are one kilometer away from each other, where are full of flocks and herds, with spectacular views. After a whole previous day's long journey, part of the attendants may choose to take the jeeps to visit. Don't forget to record or photograph such a beautiful scene, as it is the most beautiful season here in October. We will be back to the accommodation at 18:00.
Day 6, It is time to say good-bye, farewell with kindly local residents and brave horse, by bus back to Beijing and change to take the train go back to sweet home Shanghai, finishing all of itinerary.
Saying goodbye to the grassland the village and the village leader, we will leave here for Beijing by bus, and return to Shanghai by train of that day. 7:10 of next day morning, arrive in Shanghai, the journey is over.
CAPACITY:
10 to 20 persons per group
DURATION:
5 days 7 nights ( two nights on the train)
All of itinerary charge 5000RMB/per person which included:
- Train with soften sleeper bed from Shanghai to Beijing.
- One day bus transportation from Beijing to Saihan.
- Two or three beds room with independent bathroom in local residents' family.
- Good and delicious local food which given three meals each day. (one special roast lamp banquet)
- Two full days horse riding.
- Two full days jeep rent.
- Excellent local leaders.
- Insurance and club service fee.
Contact us: uniquetrip.sh@gmail.com
Nora 13585515658
