Bashang Grasslands trip, 2014/06

Photos from our June 2014 weekend trip to the cool and breezy Bashang Grasslands, 280km north of Beijing.

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On June 27, 2014, we headed out to the Bashang Grasslands, a cool and breezy spot in Hebei Province, 280km north of Beijing. On the trip we hiked through the hills and meadows, and enjoyed a bonfire and BBQ – just the way to escape from the summer heat in Beijing.

This was our first visit of 2014, and we typically make a trip once a month from June through to September.

We arrived at our guesthouse late on Friday night, and got to bed early, ready for a full day of hiking on the Saturday.

On Saturday morning we headed out for a new hike in the area: a lovely 11km hike, but with about 500m of ascent.

We came back to our guesthouse for a big lunch, and then the afternoon was free – some people hired horses for a ride, others did more hiking, and some chose to relax in the area around the guesthouse.

The next day we did a longer hike, going for about 13km up into the hills and along a ridgeline, passing a small village on the way to the end.

After a late lunch, it was time to head back to Beijing!

We started our first hike with a walk beside a field of buckwheat -  Bashang Grasslands trip, 2014/7

We started our first hike with a walk beside a field of buckwheat.

Taking a break up on the ridgeline -  Bashang Grasslands trip, 2014/7

Taking a break up on the ridgeline.

The hiking trail took us through grassy meadows -  Bashang Grasslands trip, 2014/7

The hiking trail took us through grassy meadows.

We followed a trail along the ridgeline. The hills don’t look too big here, but we were nearly at 2,000m above sea level -  Bashang Grasslands trip, 2014/7

We followed a trail along the ridgeline. The hills don’t look too big here, but we were nearly at 2,000m above sea level.

A nice spot for a photo -  Bashang Grasslands trip, 2014/7

A nice spot for a photo.

We hiked through the hills, meeting a flock of sheep on the way -  Bashang Grasslands trip, 2014/7

We hiked through the hills, meeting a flock of sheep on the way.

Taller grass up higher, with a wind farm in the distance -  Bashang Grasslands trip, 2014/7

Taller grass up higher, with a wind farm in the distance.

We kept walking up the ridgeline, aiming for a high point -  Bashang Grasslands trip, 2014/7

We kept walking up the ridgeline, aiming for a high point.

Time for a rest! -  Bashang Grasslands trip, 2014/7

Time for a rest!

This was a really comfortable place to lie about -  Bashang Grasslands trip, 2014/7

This was a really comfortable place to lie about.

A good place for photos, too -  Bashang Grasslands trip, 2014/7

A good place for photos, too.

Coming down from the high point -  Bashang Grasslands trip, 2014/7

Coming down from the high point.

Still resting! -  Bashang Grasslands trip, 2014/7

Still resting!

At the guesthouse we’d been welcomed in traditional grasslands fashion, with a shot of strong liquor - Bashang Grasslands trip, 2014/06

At the guesthouse we were welcomed in traditional grasslands fashion, with a shot of strong liquor.

We were also gifted with white scarves, which represent wishes for your happiness - Bashang Grasslands trip, 2014/06

We were also gifted with white scarves, which represent wishes for your happiness.

Some horses got themselves mixed up with hikers, with two ponies trying to get back to their mother - Bashang Grasslands trip, 2014/06

On the second hike, some horses got themselves mixed up with hikers, with two ponies trying to get back to their mother.

Sheep grazing on a ridgeline - Bashang Grasslands trip, 2014/06

Sheep grazing on a ridgeline.

Lunchtime at the guesthouse - Bashang Grasslands trip, 2014/06

Dinner at the guesthouse.

We had a bonfire, and also sent off some floating lanterns - Bashang Grasslands trip, 2014/06

We had a bonfire, and also sent off some floating lanterns.

On the second day we did a loop hike up to another high point -  Bashang Grasslands trip, 2014/7

On the second day we did a hike up to another high point.

Atop the tallest hill was a cairn of rocks -  Bashang Grasslands trip, 2014/7

Atop the tallest hill was a cairn of rocks.

After a break at the top, we continued the hike -  Bashang Grasslands trip, 2014/7

After a break at the top, we continued the hike.

There were also pigs roaming about -  Bashang Grasslands trip, 2014/7

There were pigs roaming about in the fields near the villages.

Our hike took us past a cowpen - Bashang Grasslands trip, 2014/06

Our hike took us past a cowpen.

The little pig was loving its mudbath - Bashang Grasslands trip, 2014/06

The little pig was loving its mudbath.

Our horseriding crew! - Bashang Grasslands trip, 2014/06

Our horseriding crew!