A journey to alpine grasslands in Shanxi

2. Yunding Mountain (云顶山)

Located at the intersection of Loufan, Jiaocheng and Fangshan counties, Yunding Mountain (yunding means "up in the clouds") is the highest mountain in Taiyuan city. The grassland on the mountain top is subalpine meadow.

From the foot to the top of the mountain, there are shrubs and forest belts, coniferous and broad-leaved mixed forest belts, and meadow belts.

After around two hours of hiking or horse riding, you will see a large and open pasture stretching to the horizon.

Address: Dushihe village, Loufan county, Taiyuan city, Shanxi province

3. Heye Meadow (荷叶坪)

Heye Meadow in Wuzhai county, Xinzhou city, also known as Lotus Leaf Meadow, is the largest sub-alpine grassland in North China, covering some 2,660 hectares.

At an altitude of 2,784 meters, the meadow is the highest peak of Guancen Mountain which features towering ancient trees, waterfalls and springs, and grass vegetation.

The meadow has an average temperature of around 5 Celsius, with summer very short-lived. It has become an oasis for those wanting to escape the summer heat.

Address: Wuzhai county, Xinzhou city, Shanxi province