Hiking photos - Bashang Grasslands, 2011/06/17

On the way to Bashang, we drove through one of the main passes that leads from North China down to Beijing. On the ridgeline we spotted old Great Wall fortifications.

In the foreground, a farmer’s house; in the background, Great Wall made from rammed earth.

Hikers taking a break on a grassy slope.

Beautiful flowers, seen while hiking.

The hike on the second day followed a ridgeline through the hills.

There was plenty to look at in the hills: blooming flowers, and bugs hard at work.

The hike on the third day was a bit more hilly.

The grasslands are home to a wide variety of plant life.

At the peak, some of the hikers take a break.

More of the pretty flowers.

Coming down from the top.

Broad, grassy meadows.

Cattle, with plenty to graze on.

In Bashang, the sky seems larger, and the hills roll on forever.

The locals allow their pigs to roam freely, and we bumped into a few while we were walking around.

We didn’t get too close to this one.

It’s possible to rent horses for a jaunt around the hills.

Sheep are very common – Bashang is a great place to visit if you like to eat fresh meat.

A family of horses.

Trees and horses near where we stayed.