Bashang Grassland and South Taihang

In the same autumn of 2011, I walked with my teammates from Benxi Fengzhizi Outdoor Sports Club on the Ulan Butong Bashang Grassland and hiked through the South Taihang Mountains in Jinzhong. The same season, different regions, different altitudes, different customs, but the same magnificent picture of the country unfolds.

On September 23, we drove to Ulan Butong, Inner Mongolia. After almost a day of bumps, when the sun tilted to the west, we began to clearly feel that the car was moving along the winding road. Hovering high. Looking out from the car window is the rolling hills. The afternoon sunshine has given the autumn wilderness a beautiful coat, and the vegetation that has experienced the baptism of autumn colors is full of golden color.

? The wheels turning on the bumpy road brought up flying sand, which seemed to make people question whether they had entered the Loess Plateau. The uneven meadows in front of us were piled with pastures. From time to time, the horses walking melodiously in the pastures came into view, which gave us a rough idea of ??the unique scenery of the Bashang grassland.

? On the slopes on both sides of the road that are not very high, there are a variety of trees that are not dense. Although they have different postures, as the seasons change, the leaves of the trees show red. The yellow and green colors really give the feeling of being dyed in layers of forest. Judging from the license plates of the cars passing by along the way, it is obvious that they are tourists from the southeast, northwest and northwest. From this, it is not difficult to see how attractive the Bashang Grassland should be.

? When the golden sun has evolved into an orange-red sunset, in the Ulan Butong Grassland Sightseeing Area, facing the sunset and looking straight into the distance, the meadows with different heights are as smooth as a girl's plump chest. Moreover, there are actually some trees growing on the grassland, forming the unique characteristics of Bashang grassland. Under the setting sun, the reflections of trees and grass reflect the graceful dancing girls.

? The lane formed by the passing vehicles is like a ribbon, winding and stretching, decorating the golden grassland. The dust brought up by the car speeding in the sunset floats slowly, like a thin veil blocking the sunset, adding a mysterious feeling to the Bashang grassland.

? A small stream that you can’t see where it comes from or where it’s going is lying in the middle of the meadow. The gently flowing stream is like a mother’s continuous milk, nourishing the little one. Vegetation on both sides of the stream. Occasionally, you can see the reflection of trees and grass in the clear water. The rotten wood soaked in the water, stones of different sizes, and small fish swimming by with their heads and tails are enough to form a miniature underwater world.

? Those busy photographers, tourists sitting leisurely on horseback, grassland owners enthusiastically soliciting visitors, and horses lazily walking waiting for tourists all outline a flow of natural scenery on the dam. picture.

When the afterglow of the sunset can no longer be seen in the western sky, the grassland is surrounded by darkness and confusion. The lights in the distance seem to be very far apart, and the lights from different directions are flying by like shooting stars. Driving in the night grassland, the car feels like we are looking for our way home in the desert, which is really wonderful. Looking up, you will feel that the night sky here is so clear and transparent, and the twinkling stars seem to be within reach. The grassland night really makes people feel empty and relaxed.

? You may have the experience of climbing Mount Tai to wait for the sunrise, or you may have the experience of going to the beach to watch the sunrise, and watching the sunrise on Bashang Grassland is even more unique. At four o'clock in the morning, we drove to the best place to watch the sunrise. Along the way, there were cars going in the same direction one after another, and their flashing lights formed a long, beating dragon running forward. After driving for a while, we saw many people standing on the back of a hill. In order to cope with the early morning chill in the Bashang grassland, people watching the sunrise put on all kinds of cold clothing. Both men and women, old and young, were holding various cameras in their hands and setting up their tripods, ready to take pictures. The eastern horizon was just flowing with red brilliance, and a red sun covered by light mist slowly rose. Visitors watching the sunrise from a high hill can take advantage of the faint morning light and see the figures of tourists walking around on the plains in the distance. The legendary Jiangjun Paozi reflects the colors and scenery of the sunrise, highlighting the unique sunrise style of Bashang Grassland.

? If "cattle and sheep can be seen below the wind-blown grass" is a typical feature of the grassland scenery, then what impressed me most on the dam was the horses that did not need to raise their whips. From the moment we first entered the Ulanbutong Grassland, we could see horses walking in the pastures, horses ridden by tourists, and horses galloping as means of transportation... However, what surprised people was when the horses were released at the military horse farm. The spectacular scene, the military horses galloping from far to near, the dust kicked up by the galloping hooves, is like a scene of thousands of horses galloping. It seems to take you into the ancient battlefield of swords and swords, which can't help but make people think about it, adding another unique beauty to the Bashang grassland.

When walking on the dam, many different feelings will come out one after another. Walking on the hard dirt road that has been run over by countless vehicles, it feels like being on a high loess slope, stepping on soft grass, with scattered vegetation in front of you, and it feels like you are on a hilly hill. The birch trees here are different from the birch trees we have seen before, because there are many trees in these birch trees that do not grow independently one by one, but grow in clusters.

Although they stand tall and independent, their root systems are connected together, just like brothers and sisters who share the same milk, they are connected by inseparable blood.

? The Bashang grassland under the blue sky is filled with men, women and children from different places, different countries, different skin colors, different ethnic groups and different languages. They come to this beautiful land with curiosity and hope. Land, looking for leisure and relaxation. Here you can enjoy the scenery of the blue sky and grassland without any worries; here you can enjoy the characteristics of grassland cuisine; here you can happily drink the sweetness of grassland milk tea.

? In just a few days, you will feel that the Bashang grassland is so quiet and elegant, bringing you unprecedented happiness; the scenery here will make you forget your sorrow and relieve your inner pain; the folk customs here will It is so gentle and pure, making you feel happy and friendly; everything here will make you linger...

On October 2nd, a group of 9 of us set out for Jinzhong, Shanxi. Along the way, we stopped at Qingxu, the famous vinegar capital, to have a look at the Qiao Family Courtyard, and to admire the ancient city of Pingyao. The charm. The Shanxi food we enjoyed after entering Shanxi is really unforgettable. The pasta here has almost become the main ingredient in the recipes. Dishes such as grilled laola, stone cakes, dipped slices, etc. are all made from pasta. Mature vinegar is an indispensable seasoning for every dish, allowing us to truly taste the style of Shanxi mature vinegar. The distinctive Pingyao beef food is a feast for our eyes and our mouths. Different regions, different foods, and different styles welcome different friends.

? Along the way to South Taihang, we were amazed by the magnificent mountains and rivers. The long journey is indeed a bit tiring, but the scenery along the way is enough to drive away your fatigue. When you see those abandoned cave dwellings, you can feel free to daydream about the past here; standing in front of the vague stone tablets, we feel like we are studying the footprints left by the ancients.

? Although this season is also autumn in the north, due to geographical reasons, the natural scenery here is still full of vitality. The peaks on both sides of the road make you feel like you are in the mountains with green trees hanging on the walls. . When we were still some distance away from the station, we unanimously decided to give up taking the car and go on foot, because every step here is a wonderful view, and we didn’t want it to disappear from our eyes too quickly.

? Shuangdi Village, where we stayed that day, is located near the third path of Taihang Eight Trails. Here there is the well-preserved Xantian Ancient Road, the mountainside water canal that once served the villagers’ lives, and the long-legendary Qi Twelve crutches. In the embrace of the mountains, you can look up at the surrounding peaks with an altitude of more than 1,000 meters. The shepherds standing at the head of the village driving their sheep, the scattered houses in the village, the smoke floating in the wind, and the persimmon trees hanging with yellow fruits. , and the world's rare tree species yew... In the early morning, Shuangdi Village was shrouded in mist, and the rising and falling sounds of chickens and dogs barked..., outlining a series of vivid pictures of mountains and rivers. People say that the reason why this remote mountain attracts so many tourists is because of the masterpieces of students and painters who came here to sketch, advertising Nantai.

? Shuangdi Village is located near Xiaohukou Waterfall in Shanxi Province and is the starting point for our first day of traveling through South Taihang. It is more than 600 meters above sea level, nearly 900 meters away from the yew peak at 1,500 meters above sea level. However, the slopes traversed in some sections are almost at right angles. The Yew Grand Canyon is deep, dangerous, beautiful and spectacular. This is one of the routes through the South Taihang.

? Winding along the bottom of the canyon, with steep cliffs on both sides, trees of all shapes and sizes clinging tenaciously to the cliffs, with lush vines and branches forming a clear-cut picture, this scenery will make the scenery before you... The walker does not care about the fetters of the strange rocks under his feet, spiraling towards the mountain peak. When you reach the top of Yew Valley and look back, the bottom of the ditch at the foot of the cliff looks like a thin snake, twisting and turning among the peaks. Looking straight at the mountains opposite, the feeling that the mountains are high and I am the peak arises spontaneously.

? Located in the hundreds of miles of cliffs, Mawu Village is a stop on the way. It is surrounded by mountains and green trees. The terrain is difficult to defend and difficult to attack. It has a long history of legends and ruins. . The villagers in the mountains are simple and sincere, the light and nutritious farm food, and the peaceful living space feel really good. After a short rest, we rushed to the Xiyagou wall-mounted highway. This miraculous landscape in the history of China's road construction carries the hope of the Taihang people and records the diligence of the Chinese people. It is a true representation of the Yugong spirit. Its majestic spirit is truly indescribable. Express it in words. When we walked on this road, we felt an incomparable sense of pride compared to the tourists sitting in the sightseeing cars. Along the way, the stone pillars carved by time and the cliffs eroded by wind and rain form a picture. You can't help but exclaim at the wonder of nature and admire it endlessly.

? The route we traveled on the second day started from Mawu Village and headed towards Baligou Waterfall in Henan Province. The roads along the way were filled with strange rocks and dangerous rocks, and sometimes the cliffs on one side were low and narrow. , on the other side is a cliff and a deep pool, and the road is only a foot wide under the feet. The danger is self-evident. However, such a geological structure is enough to fill the trek with passion and curiosity. Crossing the bottom of a line of ditches, strangers are humbly helping each other, looking at the travelers' reminders and greetings, and the enthusiastic care of teammates. In these deep mountains and ridges, I feel that the blood of Chinese people is thicker than water. true feelings.

? Traveling through the canyon of Baodu Village, we have the most intuitive understanding and experience of the name of Baodu Village (the plowing cows must be newborn calves to carry them up the mountain, and large cows cannot go up the mountain). Walking by the river at the bottom of the valley, admiring the layers of stone pools carved with seals over time, and walking through the ditches and ridges step by step, the scenery is really everywhere. As we hovered among the trees at the foothills of the Taihang Mountains, we were reminded of the scene when the Eighth Route Army fought on the Taihang Mountains. When we successfully traveled through South Taihang in two days and arrived at Baligou Waterfall in Henan, all fatigue disappeared when we watched the waterfall flowing down.

The Taihang Mountains are a famous mountain range in China, and the South Taihang Mountains in the Shanxi and Henan sections we traveled through not only have the beauty and magnificence of the northern peaks, but also are nourished by the mountains and flowing water, so they grow rich vegetation. The plants in the mountains are lush and lush. The clear-cut cliffs under the sun contrast with the vegetation, showing a successful work created by nature. No matter how tired and hard you are, after successfully traveling through time, you will say without hesitation that the trip was worth it!

Bashang Grassland and Nantaihang belong to the same northern region geographically in China. However, due to differences in longitude, latitude and altitude, they have different customs. In my eyes, Bashang Grassland is like a northern girl who has never left her boudoir. She is pure and simple, with plump and euphemistic lines, and looks so quiet, virtuous and gentle. She accepts tourists from all over the world with a peaceful and tolerant mind. Nan Taihang is like a tall and handsome young man from the north. He has well-defined bones, he is simple but not vulgar, and he is strong but not without losing his beauty. The cliffs are like his strong arms, bearing the responsibilities that nature has given him. The dangerous and strange ravines are like his broad mind, containing rich connotations. With his simple, solemn and generous character, he entertained friends from all over the world.

? Two pieces of land in different regions have raised people with different customs. Their different folk customs show the feelings of the Chinese people. Although these two lands are just a microcosm of the huge country of China, their unique scenery and different customs are unique. Therefore, whether you are strolling on Bashang Grassland or traveling through South Taihang, it is worth a trip.

Reprinted from QQ Space 2011 Diary