If you are yearning for the vast expanse of a boundless grassland, and if you are unsure of which grassland to choose for your self-driving adventure, then read on! Today, we will be exploring the Ruoergai Grassland in Sichuan, a grassland that encapsulates the spirit and warmth of the frontier people.
1. Transportation Guide
There are several ways to reach Ruoergai:
a. You can fly to Jiuh Huang Airport in Songpan County;
b. Take a bus from Chengdu, which takes approximately 8 hours;
c. Drive your own car, covering 500 kilometers and taking about 8 hours, following the route Chengdu – Wenchuan – Lixian – Hongyuan – Ruoergai. After Wenchuan, the highway ends, and most of the journey is on mountain roads. The road conditions are decent, but occasionally you may encounter loose rocks caused by landslides. If you are not driving an SUV, it is advisable to slow down.
2. Food Recommendations
Ruoergai County is under the jurisdiction of Aba Prefecture, located on the northeastern edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in northern Sichuan. It is known as the “Oasis of the North Sichuan Plateau”.
There are many scenic spots, and here are three that we personally visited: Ruoergai Re’er Grassland, the First Bend of the Yellow River, and Flower Lake.
The Re’er Grassland is the second largest grassland in China after Hulunbuir, and the famous natural wetland Flower Lake is located within it. The vast expanse of the grassland is truly breathtaking: “The sky is vast, the wilderness is boundless, the wind blows the grass, revealing the sheep and cattle”.
We mainly ate various noodles: stir-fried noodles and mixed noodles. There are many delicious options, for example, the following:
a. Yak Yogurt. When visiting the Tibetan area, you must try yak yogurt, a popular food among Tibetan people.
b. Yak Beef. Authentic yak beef may sometimes have yak hair, which is normal. Be sure to try the local yak beef, its taste is truly exceptional.
c. Yellow River Fish. Ruoergai is located in the Yellow River basin. A trip here wouldn’t be complete without indulging in Yellow River fish. The Yellow River Naked Carp is a local specialty, boasting tender flesh. It is delicious in soup, while the cold-water fish is typically prepared in a Sichuan style, with a spicy broth made with Sichuan peppercorns, leaving you with a tingling numbness.
d. Honey: 35 yuan per pound. The shopkeepers are very honest and didn’t recommend bee pollen, believing that we wouldn’t be used to the taste and would be a waste.
3. Must-Visit Attractions
Ruoergai Grassland
This is a jewel of emerald beauty, embedded in the northwestern border of Sichuan. This is a magical land, a magnificent panorama, the oasis of the North Sichuan Plateau – the Ruoergai Grassland. Spanning nearly 30,000 square kilometers, it comprises meadow grassland and wetlands. The Red Army’s 25,000-kilometer Long March passed through this very place. The Ruoergai Grassland is home to a multitude of migratory birds and wild animals, including white swans and sika deer. The rivers wind and meander, weaving through the landscape. The grassland boasts a clear and crisp atmosphere, with the morning sun casting its golden light upon scattered tents, wisps of smoke rising into the air, cattle and sheep grazing freely, pastoral songs wafting through the air, and a captivating charm that intoxicates the senses.
The First Bend of the Yellow River
The First Bend of the Yellow River is located in Tangke Township, Ruoergai County, where the Yellow River and the Bailong River converge to form the first bend, separated by the river from Gansu Province. In this area of nine bends, numerous islands are dotted with red willow forests, swaying gracefully in the wind. As the sun sets, the evening glow paints the First Bend in shades of red, while returning ducks and gulls soar through the sky, creating a scene of “sunset and solitary heron flying together, autumn water merging with the sky as one”.
Flower Lake
Flower Lake is situated beside National Highway 213, between the Ruoergai Grassland and Langmusi. It is a natural lake on the Re’erba Grassland, with an altitude of 3468 meters. The Re’erba Grassland is the second largest grassland in China, second only to Hulunbuir, and it is adjacent to two other lakes: the smallest called Cuor’gan and the largest called Cuor’eha. Flower Lake is located in the middle.
Langmusi
Langmusi is a Tibetan Buddhist temple. In the Tibetan language, “Langmu” means “fairy”, and because there is a stone cave that resembles a graceful woman, people call it a fairy’s transformation, hence the name. Langmusi and the Geludi Temple in Sichuan Province face each other across the Bailong River. It once flourished in the past. In front of the temple, there is a hill shaped like a monk’s hat, adding a unique feature to the landscape.
4. Precautions
Winter temperatures generally drop below zero, so down jackets and thermal underwear are essential.
Almost 90% of the population in Tangke are Tibetan. When traveling in minority areas, it is crucial to respect local customs and residents.
Avoid approaching the tents of herders on the grassland, as their sheepdogs are fierce. If you wish to visit, be sure to greet them beforehand and ask them to leash their sheepdogs.
It is best to pack some snacks as finding places to eat at noon while driving can be challenging.
Even on sunny days, Ruoergai can be very windy. It is recommended to wear a hat to avoid being blown away by the wind.
Autumn in Ruoergai is a breathtaking sight, with crisp air and golden hues stretching as far as the eye can see. Have a wonderful trip!
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