A journey to alpine grasslands in Shanxi

4. Huapo Grassland (沁源花坡)

Huapo Grassland is located in Wangtao town, in the northwest of Qinyuan county, Changzhi city. With an average altitude of 2,500 meters, it is on the top of one of the main peaks of Taiyue Mountain and features a plateau climate.

The grassland with gentle slope and sparse forest is an excellent pasture with dwarf alpine plants growing everywhere.

Huapo (slope with flowers) Grassland covering an area of more than 660 hectares has a reputation of natural garden. There are more than 120 kinds of flowers and plants in area. Every year from June, all kinds of flowers and plants stretch across the grassland and blossom for four months.

Address: Wangtao town, Qinyuan county, Changzhi city, Shanxi province

5. Lingqiu Hanging Prairie (空中草原)

The Lingqiu Hanging Prairie, also known as the Great Hanging Prairie, is located to the southeast of Diaoquan village, Liuke town in Lingqiu county, Datong city. It's a narrow oblong place from east to west and a wide stretch of land from north to south covering 2,000 hectares with a flat top at an altitude of 2,159 meters.

All around the hanging prairie are rugged steep slopes. The rich stretch of prairie is verdant with grass and dotted with foliage and flowers.

Here visitors can enjoy an unobstructed view of the far horizons and the wide blue canopy. Sturdy steeds, cattle and sheep can be seen galloping on the grassland, carefree and at liberty to run to their hearts' content. Visitors can still feel comfortably cool even in summer thanks to the high altitude.

The green mat is an ideal place to come to for escaping the bustle of city life and embracing nature.

Address: Diaoquan village, Liuke town, Lingqiu county, Datong city, Shanxi province