Saihanba national forest park in Chengde, a part of Mulan paddock, is a famous hunting-ground for the old royal families. Saihanba is a mixed word of Mongolian and Chinese, which means a beautiful and high mountain.
With an average altitude of 1,400 meters, Saihanba national forest Park as a part of Mulan Paddock is an ideal place for touring, hunting and retreat from the hot summer days. In this forest park with an area of 410,000 square kilometers, you will enjoy the vast expanse of grassland, the crystal-clear plateau lake as well as the historic interests left in the Qing Dynasty.
The park has seemingly boundless grasslands while the immense forest and the plateau with lakes so clear and inviting. The original eco-system is very well preserved, and will aid your appreciation of the charming and spectacular natural scenery The area can lay claim to more than seven hundred species of animals and plants. It is an ideal place for touring, hunting and getting relief from the summer heat of the major cities.
The scenery is especially spectacular in summer. With so many shades of green from the variety of trees and bushes that billow in the breeze, the immense forests rise and fall over the undulating countryside and the wide grassland being nearly all covered by golden flowers.
Truly a sight to be seen! Temperatures in this season are usually no more than 25 centigrade degree. It is cool and the air fresh making the park is an excellent place to avoid the intense heat.
In the cold of winter, however, it takes on another dimension altogether; the ground is a blanket of white with a capping of snow while ice pieces can hang from the bare branches of the trees,. Early morning with the fresh snow is a great time to go out, play games and warm up making snow-men and just enjoy yourselves.
1. Internal transportation: Because of its large area, charter buses are indeed advisable.
2. Best time for travelling: Every season is suitable, but it is especially fine at the end of summer and the beginning of autumn when the tree foliage begins to change colour.
3. Food: The park provides the local delicious national foods of Man and Mongolia, including the traditional horse milk wine, milk tofu, mutton etc. However, as a visitor, it is a good idea to bring in extra foods to suit your usual diet as there are few places you can go shopping. To have a full appreciation some of the unique regional dishes you may need to have acquired taste buds for some foods.
4.Transportation:Since Saihanba National Forest Park covers a large area, charter buses are highly recommended.
5. Accommodation: There are formal hotels in the park to provide very good accommodation services. You can also live in the house of the local farmers, or choose to live in the family hotel according to your own requirements.