Bashang Grasslands, June 2013

Photos from our June 2013 trip to the Bashang Grasslands, including a few shots of the special welcome we received.

Sunny grasslands, Beijing Hikers Bashang Grasslands, 2013/06/21
The green hills and blue skies of the Bashang Grasslands
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In June we made this year’s first trip to the Bashang Grasslands, located in Hebei province, north of Beijing. On the trip the highlight was two days of hiking in the grasslands. We also made time to try a little horse-milk liquor, and enjoyed dancing, a performance by locals, and an evening bonfire.

We had two very different kinds of weather – one day rainy, one day clear and sunny. Despite the rain we had a good hike, and the weather on the second day was perfect!

The locals, Beijing Hikers Bashang Grasslands, 2013/06/21

We received a special grasslands welcome. First step, a white scarf

the local performance, Beijing Hikers Bashang Grasslands, 2013/06/21

The second part of the welcome – knock back a shot of horse-milk liquor!

The local custom, Beijing Hikers Bashang Grasslands, 2013/06/21

The local custom is to toast to heaven and earth before the drink.

 horse milk liquor, Beijing Hikers Bashang Grasslands, 2013/06/21

Everyone got a taste of the good stuff.

The atmosphere, Beijing Hikers Bashang Grasslands, 2013/06/21

The next part of the welcome: a circle dance.

Our master, Beijing Hikers Bashang Grasslands, 2013/06/21

The lady with the special dress was the master of ceremonies.

Local style, Beijing Hikers Bashang Grasslands, 2013/06/21

If the shoe fits … The range of hiking footwear at this shop was somewhat limited.

young girls, Beijing Hikers Bashang Grasslands, 2013/06/21

A Mongolian-style hat.

the second day, Beijing Hikers Bashang Grasslands, 2013/06/21

On the morning of the second day, we headed into the hills for a hike.

sunshine, Beijing Hikers Bashang Grasslands, 2013/06/21

Enjoying the sunshine and the view.

a good stretch of exercise, Beijing Hikers Bashang Grasslands, 2013/06/21

We had a good steep climb up this hill, a good stretch of exercise.

A short break, Beijing Hikers Bashang Grasslands, 2013/06/21

We took a short break on the ridge to enjoy the cool breeze.

a horse track, Beijing Hikers Bashang Grasslands, 2013/06/21

The trail took us along the edge of a birch forest.

White birch trees, Beijing Hikers Bashang Grasslands, 2013/06/21

White birch trees cover the hillsides.

Sunny grasslands, Beijing Hikers Bashang Grasslands, 2013/06/21

Green hills, blue skies.

Horsy, Beijing Hikers Bashang Grasslands, 2013/06/21

Hold that pose, horses!

On horse back, Beijing Hikers Bashang Grasslands, 2013/06/21

On the longer hike we did, we brought along some horses just in case anyone got tired of walking.

Light and shadow, Beijing Hikers Bashang Grasslands, 2013/06/21

Long views of the grasslands.

 flowers, Beijing Hikers Bashang Grasslands, 2013/06/21

These pretty flowers grow everywhere throughout the grassland. Careful, though – the roots are supposed to be poisonous!

a village, Beijing Hikers Bashang Grasslands, 2013/06/21

We did some ridge walking on the last day of the trip.

Ridge trail, Beijing Hikers Bashang Grasslands, 2013/06/21

This ridge trail took us down towards a little village.

cows, Beijing Hikers Bashang Grasslands, 2013/06/21

Near the little village we found a herd of cows in their pen.

A horse track, Beijing Hikers Bashang Grasslands, 2013/06/21

The hike finished up following a horse track back to the guesthouse.

Countryside house, Beijing Hikers Bashang Grasslands, 2013/06/21

Some of the older countryside houses.

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