Trip Overview
When: September (best autumn colors)
Duration: 3 days
Travelers: Group of 5 friends
Budget: ~1,000 RMB (~$140 USD)
Transportation: Self-driving from Beijing (~4 hours)
Day 1: Arrival at神仙谷七彩森林 (Shenxiangu Qicai Forest)
We set off from Beijing on a drizzly day—yes, we were worried our planned trip would be ruined. But as we drove north toward Hebei's Bashang plateau, the clouds parted and we arrived at our destination under clear skies. Sometimes the universe rewards your optimism.
Bashang has always been a popular summer destination for草原 escapees, but what most people don't know is that autumn here is where nature puts on its most spectacular show. From mid-September to early October, the grassland transforms into a canvas of gold, crimson, and amber—so overwhelming that you'll understand why locals say you must visit at least once in your lifetime.
Golden grasslands dotted with vibrant white birch and elm trees create a photographer's dream. The light dances through the canopy, creating patterns that shift with every step.
Where forest meets grassland, you get the best of both worlds—the delicate elegance of southern landscapes and the rugged grandeur of the north.
My friends swore they were looking at Xinjiang's Hemu Village—but then we turned another corner and it felt like Scandinavia. This place has that magical ability to transport you to Europe's most beautiful forests, all while staying in northern China.
So where exactly were we?
A hidden gem accidentally discovered: 神仙谷七彩森林 (Shenxiangu Qicai Forest)
Located at the border of Hebei's Fengning Bashang and Inner Mongolia, in Chengde's Fengning County, this 20,000+ mu (about 3,300 acres) resort is currently the largest, most developed, and most well-equipped tourist destination in the entire Bashang region.
We arrived at the visitor center around noon—the parking lot is spacious, and ahead you'll find three differently-styled hotels. We checked in first, dropped our bags, and since it was still raining outside, decided to explore the indoor attractions.
满族民俗展 (Manchu Folk Exhibition)
Bashang grassland was once the most active territory for nomadic tribes, and it was the favorite summer retreat for emperors of the Liao, Jin, Yuan, and Qing dynasties.
Fengning County still has a large population of Manchu residents today. I've always wanted to understand the history of this grassland, and this exhibition gave me a comprehensive look at Manchu history, cultural development, traditional clothing, paper-cutting, and fishing/hunting traditions—through both text and actual artifacts.
What surprised me most was a jacket and boots made from birch bark—the textures were clear, the connections tight, incredibly well-crafted.
I think this exhibition is particularly meaningful—it gives visitors a deeper understanding of the Manchu culture, rather than believing the unrealistic backgrounds from historical TV dramas. While enjoying the beautiful natural scenery, you can also gain knowledge. Definitely worth a visit.
With the gentle sound of rain, we hoped for sunshine tomorrow. Though our phone's weather app still warned of morning rain...
Day 2: Exploring the Colorful Forest
We woke up to a spectacular surprise—mountains ablaze with gold and amber, brilliant sunshine. Our local friend was right: Bashang weather is like this, rains come and go quickly, the weather changes fast.
With light footsteps and wearing bright dresses, we happily re-entered the scenic area.
Pro tip: There are 2 routes to explore 神仙谷七彩森林:
1. Start from the entrance, walk the wooden plank path to the innermost point, then take the small train/electric cart back.
2. Take the small train from the entrance directly to the innermost point, then explore from inside out (tired? No problem—they'll pick you up at any station).
Recommendation: Option 2, because the scenic area is truly huge, and the most spectacular views are at the innermost point. Save your energy!
Board the forest train, breathe in that fresh post-rain air,穿梭 through the丛林—nature's beauty unfolds before our eyes like a gift.
云亭 (Yunting Pavilion)
This is the final stop of the forest train. Stepping into the Jungle Tribe area, you'll see the highest point—Yunting Pavilion. This is the best viewing spot in the entire scenic area. Standing atop the mountain, you see翠绿的叶子 still clinging to branches,高低错落, shadows dancing beautifully.
The vast vista gives you that 'one glance takes in a thousand mountains' feeling. The mountains roll gently, like endless waves of gold. Beneath your feet, the yellow grass carpet undulates; in your view,斑斓的森林 creates a frame so beautiful it looks like a movie scene.
Now I understand why they say this scenic area has 60% forest coverage, bringing together草原,森林,湿地,丘陵,湖泊—every terrain imaginable. The name '七彩森林' (Colorful Forest) is truly well-deserved.
Horseback Riding
Coming down from Yunting Pavilion, you might be a bit tired. This is the perfect time for the classic grassland activity: horseback riding. You can rest while riding AND experience the thrill of galloping across the plains.
There are horses of many colors—clean white ones, handsome black ones, sturdy brown ones... Their glossy manes sparkle in the sunlight, showing they're well cared for. Even if you've never ridden horses, no worries—an experienced handler will accompany you the entire way, making it completely safe.
玻璃栈道 (Glass Walkway)
Reaching out to touch the treetops—this unique experience isn't available everywhere! At the entrance to Jungle Tribe, we climbed onto the famous glass walkway.
Though not as high as Yunting Pavilion, it offers a different kind of fun. Walking on the glass walkway surrounded by trees, you feel like a精灵穿梭于丛林间, observing the differences between trees up close, listening to nature's voice.
Looking down from the glass walkway, you'll see a long wooden bridge leading to white trees—that's our next destination: 白桦映日 (White Birch Forest).
白桦映日 (White Birch Forest)
The white birch trees here are dense and numerous—each one straight and tall,排排 pure and simple,片片 elegant and graceful. In the sunset, their gray-white bark looks like memories frozen in time.
Looking up at the treetops, golden leaves fall gently—like a welcome, like a plea to stop and look once more, because they're about to become nutrients, nourishing the roots, hoping to present a better self next spring. See you soon!
五彩池 (Five-Color Pools)
As the name suggests, this place has pools of different colors, arranged like terraced fields, layer upon layer. Autumn's arrival turns this into nature's most abundant palette. When the palette reflects in the pools, it becomes an even more beautiful oil painting—五彩斑斓, extremely beautiful.
森林牧场 (Forest Ranch)
Across from Five-Color Pools is a forest ranch home to various cute animals. The first to greet us were tall camels with full humps—they must eat well! Going further in, we saw peacocks, sheep herds, horses...
The most exciting part was seeing a group of freely-roaming sika deer—the bucks looked spirited, the fawns were adorable, running freely in the ranch, completely at one with nature.
天镜湖 (Tianjing Lake)
Water—the source of all things.
True to its name, this is the largest water area in the scenic area. When there's no wind, the colorful forest quietly reflects on the lake's mirror-like surface, making it hard to distinguish reality from illusion.
Blue sky and white clouds reflect in the lake surface, delicate bright flowers sway and bloom in the water, as if waiting for someone to pick them—but there's no way to get close. Some beauty, we can only appreciate from afar to truly understand its wonder.
Walking on the transparent glass bridge, it feels like water and sky become one—clear skies, thin clouds,层林尽染, colors played masterfully here.
Night Light Show
As evening lights illuminate, the colorful Tianjing Lake sheds its colors, becoming increasingly mysterious in the afterglow of sunset. As music rises gradually, the shores of Tianjing Lake are lit up warmly by lights.
Green mountains, tranquil lakes, gorgeous light shows—people danced joyfully on this night, driving away the early autumn chill with the rhythm.
The bright, clear moon seemed to want to join our party, but it could only watch.
Bonfire and Fireworks
After dinner, people gathered at the 七彩森林广场 for 'night carnival.' Everyone jumped around the bonfire, releasing the pressure from life and work. Holding sparklers, we drew what we most wanted to express in the air, made wishes, and as fireworks ascended, they bloomed in the dark night.
Food Recommendations
Pot Tea (锅茶): Traditional grassland drink—if you've been to the grassland, you know grassland milk tea is salty, made by brewing milk and tea bricks together. When eating, it's served with several toppings—beef, milk candy, fried rice, etc. Add according to your preference.
Whole Roasted Lamb (烤全羊): Specialty of the grassland—外焦里嫩,肉质细嫩,无膻气味,色泽黄亮. Be sure to eat the second roasting—the skin becomes crispy while the meat stays tender, getting more flavorful with each bite.
Accommodation
七彩森林国际度假酒店 (Qicai Forest International Resort Hotel): The room design is overall simple and spacious. Lie in bed and you can see the scenery outside your window.
松鼠客栈 (Squirrel Inn): Perfect for families with children—squirrel elements are everywhere, and there's a hanging chair in the room that both kids and adults can enjoy.
16度假日酒店 (16 Degree Holiday Hotel): Why is it called '16 degrees'? I think it reflects the climate characteristic of Bashang—even in hot summer, it's still cool here. The room decor is also very unique, reflecting the beauty of Bashang in different seasons.
Recommended Itinerary
Day 1: Beijing - Qicai Forest (~4 hours) - Check-in - Manchu Cultural Park
Day 2: Forest Tribe - Yunting Pavilion - Horseback Riding - Glass Walkway - White Birch Forest - Five-Color Pools - Forest Ranch - Night Light Show - Whole Roasted Lamb - Bonfire and Fireworks
Day 3: Tianjing Lake - Internet-famous Water Bed - Return trip
Souvenirs
You can't leave the grassland without dairy products—cheese, sugar-free milk strips, milk strip burgers (with hawthorn in the middle), milk tablets, quinoa, buckwheat tea, pot tea, beef jerky...
You can taste all of these at the visitor center, and there are complimentary pot teas in the rooms. These are all poverty-alleviation dairy products. My favorite is the milk strip burger—it completely changed my view that dairy products can be cloying. The hawthorn cuts through the richness perfectly.
For friends in northern China who want a short trip without going too far but still wanting to see autumn's most beautiful scenery, Bashang is an excellent choice.
From the white birch forest with its endless golden hues to the misty Tianjing Lake, from the high-view Yunting Pavilion to the grassland ranch hidden in the plains—you'll encounter a colorful fairy tale world.
There are no high-altitude snow mountains like in western Sichuan here, so no risk of altitude sickness. Plus, you can experience the fun of galloping on horseback. Gather your friends, sisters, bring your family—come to Qicai Forest and feel the passionate beauty of autumn's poetic chapters.
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