There are many ways to chase a cloud—but first, you need a grassland. Hulunbuir? Altay? Not necessarily. You don’t need to go that far. “North of Beijing, Duolun is the most beautiful.” Just 180 km straight north of Beijing lies a dreamlike grassland waiting for you.

Duolun County, located in the southeast of Xilingol League in Inner Mongolia, faces Beijing and Tianjin and is backed by vast grasslands. Known as the “Ancient Frontier City · Grassland Water Town,” this small border town blends natural wonders with deep history. For travelers, it offers ecology, culture, and leisure in one destination. It breaks the stereotype that “grasslands only have cattle and sheep”—here, lake reflections meet ancient temples, sand meets forests stretching for miles, and old merchant halls still hold the warmth of ledgers from 300 years ago. Whether you seek history or nature, Duolun offers a small yet rich experience far beyond expectations.

When the first summer rain pours
Hooves splash through puddles
Thunder echoes with the morin khuur
The grasslands proclaim to the world
The season of life’s grand celebration
Has begun

【PART.01 Chase a Cloud Across the Wild — the Untamed Gene Within You】

The grassland carves the word “vast” into your vision. Here the horizon disappears completely, and waves of grass roll like a green ocean toward the sky. Such boundlessness releases everything compressed by cities and narrow streets. Nowhere is better for chasing than a grassland—especially when your quarry is a drifting cloud. Watching clouds becomes a ritual of letting the soul breathe.

【Blue Khata · Sacred Energy from Sky and Earth】

Mongolians revere the color blue for its connection with “Eternal Heaven.” The vast sky represents purity, eternity, and divine protection. Thus, Mongolians call themselves the “Blue People,” seeing blue as sacred.

Receiving a blue khata from a local means receiving a blessing from the forces of nature. To feel this sacred energy, the ovoo—the sacred cairn of the grasslands—is essential. An ovoo is not only a landmark but also a spiritual gathering point of earth and sky. While farmers worship land temples for harvest, herders tie khatas on ovoos to pray for thriving pastures.

From Agate Mountain in Duolun, you can overlook the Nine-Bend River—a ribbon of liquid blue silk twisting across endless grassland. Its curves paint elegant lines on the earth like natural calligraphy. At dawn, mist drifts and hides the bends like a dream; at sunset, multiple suns reflect in the water, echoing the ancient myth of “Hou Yi shooting the suns.” The grassland glows in warm orange.

Along the trail, you may pick natural agate stones—its red and white layers like frozen river bends—a gift from the land. At river turns, cattle drink from the water, their reflections rippling like moving oil paintings. Mongolian cattle scattered across the grassland shake copper bells softly in the wind.

“When the wind blows, cattle and sheep appear.”
But here—why only cattle?
Because this grassland prohibits sheep year-round.
Only from June to October
Will you see herds of cattle spread across the hills.

【PART.02 Chasing Clouds — Poetry Written on Horseback】

For Mongolians, horses are far more than tools. From the gelding of Genghis Khan’s warhorse to modern Naadam horsemen, horses mirror nomadic life. They are symbols, carriers of cultural memory, and spiritual totems. On the grassland, nothing is more fitting than riding a horse to chase a drifting cloud.

【Riding Forward — the Bloodline of Nomadic Culture】

Xilingol League, home to Duolun, is known as the “Capital of Horses.” Historically a core breeding area for Mongolian horses, Duolun (once “Duolun Nuur”) thrived as a northern trading hub. Saddle craftsmanship flourished, and by 1929 the town had 23 saddle shops. This nomadic heritage lives on today.

【Galloping Across the Land — Become a Child of the Grassland】

The soul of Langji Ranch lies in the soon-to-open “300-km Duolun Scenic Horse Trail.” Starting at the ranch, the circular route connects 12 stations—every 30 km offers a place to rest. The journey covers seven landscapes: mountains, forests, lakes, grassland, wetlands, farmland, and sand dunes—an ecological scroll of the northern frontier.

Unlike traditional Mongolian horses that require large grasslands and long training, Langji Ranch introduces mixed-blood and warmblood horses suitable for tourism riding and equestrian training. Mongolian horses have strong endurance but need time to tame.

American quarter horses are tall yet steady, ideal for beginners; the Xilingol pony (Mengmeng horse) is gentle and suited for youth riding. With a horse chosen to fit your skill level and a professional coach by your side, you can experience a multi-dimensional adventure beyond ordinary horseback riding.

Now, gently press your heels and ride toward the dunes—the ancient elm forest of Yumuchuan is shading the true cloud-chasers.

【PART.03 Redefining Grassland Boundaries at Langji】

Langji is far more than “riding horses to see scenery”—the 300-km trail lets American wild spirit and Mongolian heritage meet in one saddle. When you return to the ranch after a storm, riding a warmblood horse and receiving a hot milk tea, you will realize: wilderness is not about isolation, but about the pulse shared between people, horses, land, and culture.

【Living the Horseback Lifestyle — More Than a Room, a Vessel of Grassland Culture】

The Langji Ranch partner lodge takes “the horse” as its soul—rooted deeply in Inner Mongolia’s vast grassland. It draws from the wisdom of ancient nomads and the rugged romance of the American West.

Buildings stretch low and wide, blending into the land without disturbing the horizon. Deep porches, intimate lofts, warm fireplaces, and open communal spaces create a place where stories and drinks are always welcome. It is the freedom spirit shared by cowboy bars and Mongolian yurts.

Prairie Twin Room · 2×1.2m Beds · Floor-to-ceiling Window · 36㎡
Pet-friendly Family Room · 1×1.8m Bed · Floor-to-ceiling Window · 47㎡
Sunlit King Room · 1×1.8m Bed · Floor-to-ceiling Window · 36㎡
Sunlit Twin Room · 2×1.2m Beds · Floor-to-ceiling Window · 36㎡
Pastoral Family Room · 1 King + 1 Single · Floor-to-ceiling Window · 36㎡
Prairie King Room · 1×1.8m Bed · Floor-to-ceiling Window · 36㎡
Pastoral Kids Room · 1 King + Bunk Bed · Floor-to-ceiling Window · 47㎡

All 28 themed rooms blend nature’s wild charm with modern comfort. Wooden furniture echoes the strength of ranch life; clean lines evoke western pragmatism. Outside the windows stretch endless grasslands—horses roaming, elm forests swaying, dunes rising and falling. From your bed, you can watch the seasons shift. At night, switch off the lights and the Milky Way spills across the sky—stars so close you can almost touch them.

【Must-Try Lamb & Beef · And Milk Tea You Can Eat】

Mongolian cuisine is a flowing history—only by tasting it can you truly understand this way of life. Duolun’s lamb is tender and flavorful—grilled, boiled, braised, stewed, smoked, or stir-fried, every method showcases its richness. The succulent aroma of Xilingol lamb is its everlasting signature.

Others say “three meals a day,” but Mongolians often say “three cups of tea a day.” Milk tea here is not just a drink—it is culture and emotion. To serve guests, Mongolians prepare milk tea first, simmered traditionally with brick tea and fresh milk. When served with fried rice grains, cheese, and milk skin, each bowl holds the deep warmth of the grassland.

On the grassland
Perhaps you will never truly catch a cloud
But here
You may become a drifting cloud yourself
What is daily life for herders
Is often the distant dream
Of city dwellers
This summer—who could resist
The invitation of grass and clouds?

Xiecheng Resort Farm
(Duolun Langji Ranch Partner Lodge)
Yijiahe, Caimu Mountain Township, Duolun County, Xilingol League, Inner Mongolia

[Self-Drive]
Xilingol — Farm · ~3 hrs
Zhangjiakou — Farm · ~3 hrs
Beijing — Farm · ~6 hrs
Chifeng — Farm · ~5 hrs

[Nearest Airports]
Xilinhot Airport — ~3 hrs
Zhangjiakou Ningyuan Airport — ~3 hrs
Beijing Capital Airport — ~5.5 hrs
Chifeng Yulong Airport — ~5 hrs