Kulun Nur Tourist Resort is located 3 kilometers north of Guyuan County, Zhangjiakou City, Hebei Province. It lies on the Bashang Plateau and is a national 4A-level tourist attraction and a provincial-level tourist resort. With “grassland lakes, wetland flower seas, and Mongol-Yuan culture” as its core features, the scenic area combines natural ecology with cultural experiences, forming a unique Bashang grassland tourism destination. The resort covers a total area of 25.8 square kilometers, of which the lake area is 9.6 square kilometers. It sits at an altitude of 1,375 meters and is a natural freshwater lake. The scenic area is divided into six functional zones: the Comprehensive Service Area, the Primeval Flower Sea Area, the Grassland Customs Experience Area, the Mountain Leisure Sports Area, the Lakeside Premium Homestay Area, and the Water Leisure Sports Area. Supporting facilities include the Kaiyuan Grand Tent Banquet Center and the Baihai Xinggong Hotel, with more than 500 guest rooms in total, accommodating 1,500 people at the same time. Annual visitor numbers exceed 500,000. The average summer temperature is 17–22°C, making it a well-known summer resort for the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.
History and Culture
The area around Kulun Nur is rich in historical relics, including a Liao Dynasty imperial palace site, Xiliang Pavilion, and the Xiaohongcheng Site, a key cultural relic protection unit in Hebei Province. These relics testify to the important status of the Bashang region during the Liao, Jin, and Yuan dynasties. The Xiaohongcheng Site is the site of the Chaghan Nur Imperial Palace of the Yuan Dynasty. It was once the summer retreat and administrative center of Kublai Khan, Emperor Shizu of Yuan. Dragon-patterned eaves tiles, pottery figurines, and other cultural relics have been unearthed there, providing important physical materials for the study of Mongol-Yuan court architecture and political culture.
The scenic area deeply explores Mongol-Yuan culture and has restored cultural symbols such as Kublai Khan’s elephant palanquin (4.5 meters high and 6 meters long, reproduced 1:1 according to Yuan Dynasty court ceremonial standards) and a prayer ovoo (12 meters in diameter and 8 meters high, built according to traditional Mongolian rituals). The large-scale live equestrian performance The Grand Ceremony of the Kulun Khan Court recreates historical scenes of Yuan Dynasty grassland tribes, integrating horse culture and Mongol-Yuan etiquette into the tourism experience, allowing visitors to directly feel the historical thread of grassland civilization.
Main Attractions
Kulun Nur Lake (Swan Lake)
The lake is vast and clear, surrounded by rolling grasslands and wetlands. Because of its excellent ecological environment, it attracts large numbers of migratory birds every spring and autumn, including swans, wild geese, and herons, which is how it earned the name “Swan Lake.” Walking by the lakeside, birdwatching and photography, and enjoying the sunrise and sunset over the grassland lake offer magnificent and peaceful scenery.
Primeval Flower Sea Area
The Primeval Flower Sea Area covers more than 10,000 mu and is the largest natural wetland flower sea on the Bashang Plateau. It is home to nearly 100 species of wildflowers, including globeflowers, Stellera chamaejasme, and corn poppies. From June to September each year, various flowers bloom in succession. In mid-to-late July, globeflowers enter full bloom, creating a spectacular scene of “ten thousand mu of golden bloom.” The scenic area has built a 900-meter-long solid wood viewing boardwalk with three rest pavilions along the way. In the core area, there is a four-story observation deck, 15 meters high with a floor area of 300 square meters. From the top, visitors can overlook the entire flower sea. A supporting science popularization corridor displays the growth habits and ecological value of 20 major flowers, making it an important place for nature education.
Grassland Customs Experience Area
The Grassland Customs Experience Area covers 800 mu and focuses on displaying Mongol-Yuan culture and nomadic life. It includes a live equestrian performance venue that can accommodate 2,000 people, where The Grand Ceremony of the Kulun Khan Court is performed daily (45 minutes), showing historical scenes such as Yuan Dynasty cavalry training and tribal alliances. The racecourse is 800 meters long and 50 meters wide, equipped with 30 professional racehorses, and regularly hosts folk horse racing events. The riding area is divided into two sections: beginner (300-meter circular track) and advanced (1,000-meter cross-country route), providing 50 Mongolian horses to meet the needs of different visitors. The archery range has 20 standard lanes and is equipped with traditional horn bows and modern compound bows. In addition, visitors can visit herder households (a traditional yurt cluster) and experience folk activities such as milking cows and making milk skin.
Mountain Leisure Sports Area
The Mountain Leisure Sports Area is located on the mountain on the west side of the scenic area, covering 1,200 mu. It is a leisure sports destination suitable for all four seasons. In summer, there are six 300-meter grass-skiing lanes and two rainbow slides with a 50-meter drop, equipped with 50 sets of professional equipment. At the summit stands Marco Polo Castle (a European-style building, 20 meters high with a floor area of 500 square meters), offering a 360° panoramic view of Kulun Nur. In winter, this area becomes a ski resort with three beginner ski runs (200–400 meters long) and one intermediate ski run (600 meters long). It is equipped with a ski equipment rental center (500 sets of ski clothing, ski boots, skis, and snowboards) and a ski school (30 instructors), suitable for family skiing and beginner experiences.
Water Leisure and Entertainment Area
The Water Leisure and Entertainment Area relies on the 9.6-square-kilometer surface of Kulun Nur Lake and is equipped with various water facilities. The luxury cruise ship “Kulun” (30 meters long, 8 meters wide, capacity 150 passengers) operates four trips daily, with a 50-minute lake tour. There are 10 speedboats (8 passengers each) and 15 motorboats, offering around-lake racing experiences. There are also 30 battery-powered boats and 50 pedal boats, suitable for relaxed family outings. A designated area has a fishing platform (100 meters long, accommodating 50 people fishing at the same time). The lake is rich in crucian carp, common carp, Wuchang bream, and other fish. Anglers may bring their own fishing gear or rent it on site (rod rental: 20 yuan/day). In summer, a flyboard program is also offered, with professional instructors leading aerial stunt performances and experiences.
Comprehensive Service Area
The Comprehensive Service Area is the core hub of the scenic area, covering 500 mu, and concentrates dining, accommodation, shopping, and other supporting facilities. The Kaiyuan Grand Tent Banquet Center (50 meters in diameter and 18 meters high) can seat 1,000 people at the same time. It specializes in Mongolian roasted whole lamb (must be reserved 6 hours in advance, 1,200 yuan each), all-fish banquet, and other specialty foods. The Baihai Xinggong Hotel is built to four-star standards and has 200 guest rooms, including 10 lake-view suites (60 square meters each) and 30 family rooms. Chenggele Square holds a bonfire party every evening (20:00–21:30), where visitors can participate in interactive activities such as Andai dance and morin khuur performances. The service area also has a children’s playground (3,000 square meters, with slides, trampolines, and other facilities), Tianlu Ice Spring (a natural mineral water supply station), and a 20-kilometer lakeside ring road. It provides 150 shared bicycles, a sightseeing train (one departure per hour, 50 minutes for the full trip), and other means of transport.
Suggested Tour Routes：
Recommended one-day tour: Arrive at the Comprehensive Service Area at 8:30 and take the sightseeing train to tour the lakeside scenery (50 minutes); at 9:30 go to the Primeval Flower Sea Area, stroll along the wooden boardwalk, and climb the observation deck (1.5 hours); at 11:00 go to the Grassland Customs Experience Area, watch the 11:30 equestrian performance, experience horse riding (1 hour), and archery (30 minutes); at 13:00 return to the Comprehensive Service Area for lunch (1 hour). In the afternoon, at 14:30 go to the Water Leisure and Entertainment Area, take the luxury cruise around the lake (50 minutes), and experience pedal boating (1 hour); at 16:30 go to the Mountain Leisure Sports Area, experience grass skiing or the rainbow slide (1 hour), and climb Marco Polo Castle for the view (30 minutes); at 18:00 return to the Comprehensive Service Area, enjoy free time, and then join the 20:00 bonfire party to end the day. For a two-day tour, visitors can add an overnight stay in the Lakeside Premium Homestay Area (watching the sunrise over the lake the next morning), winter skiing, or summer fishing to deeply experience the scenic area’s features.
Travel Tips：
The best visiting season is June to September, when the flower sea is in bloom and the temperature is pleasant (average 17–22°C). Winter from December to February of the following year is suitable for skiing, and visitors can take part in the Ice and Snow Fishing and Hunting Culture Festival.
Suggested tour length is 1–2 days. A one-day tour can cover the core attractions, while a two-day tour allows deeper participation in folk activities and sports programs.
For family visitors, the children’s playground, pedal boats, and beginner skiing are recommended. Children aged 6–12 can participate in the interactive segment of the equestrian performance.
Photography enthusiasts can photograph the flower sea when globeflowers bloom in July, shoot the lake sunrise from 6:00–7:00 in the morning, and photograph the grassland sunset from 19:00–20:00 in the evening.
Food recommendations include the roasted whole lamb at the Kaiyuan Grand Tent (suitable for 10–12 people to share), hand-held mutton (80 yuan/jin), and naijiaokou, a dairy snack (25 yuan/portion). It is even better when paired with Tianlu Ice Spring water.
In summer, cruise boats and roasted whole lamb should be booked one day in advance. For winter skiing, weekday visits are recommended to avoid weekend crowds.
Notes：
The Bashang region has a large temperature difference between day and night. In summer, visitors should bring a light jacket (early morning and evening temperatures can drop to 10°C). In winter, down jackets, snow boots, and other warm equipment are needed (temperatures can reach as low as -25°C).
Life jackets must be worn when participating in water activities. High-risk activities such as motorboats and flyboarding are limited to healthy people aged 16–55, and a safety agreement must be signed.
For sports such as horseback riding and skiing, visitors must follow the instructor’s guidance, wear safety protective gear, and are prohibited from entering unauthorized areas without permission.
Picking flowers is prohibited in the Primeval Flower Sea Area; violators will be fined 50–200 yuan. Smoking is prohibited in wetland areas, and littering is strictly prohibited throughout the scenic area.
There are many mosquitoes in summer, so mosquito repellent is recommended. The ultraviolet rays are strong, so visitors should apply SPF50 sunscreen and wear sun hats and sunglasses.
During the bonfire party, flammable and explosive items are prohibited. Visitors must stay in designated areas and follow staff management.
Shared bicycles in the scenic area are limited to 10 km/h. On the lakeside ring road, cyclists must ride on the right side and watch out for pedestrians.
Transportation：
Self-driving: From Beijing, take the Beijing-Tibet Expressway (G6), transfer to the Zhangjiakou-Chengde Expressway (G95), exit at Guyuan South, and drive north along the Baoping Line for 8 kilometers. The total distance is about 380 kilometers, and the drive takes about 5 hours. From Zhangjiakou City, take the Zhangjiakou-Chengde Expressway (G95) to Guyuan South Exit, then drive along the Baoping Line. The total distance is about 230 kilometers, and the drive takes about 3 hours. Parking at the scenic area is free and can accommodate 1,000 small vehicles.
Public transportation: Liuliqiao Coach Station in Beijing has a direct bus to Guyuan County daily at 7:30. The trip takes 6 hours, and the fare is 130 yuan. After arriving in Guyuan County, take Bus No. 1 (Guyuan Bus Station–Kulun Nur) directly to the scenic area. It runs every 30 minutes, takes 15 minutes, and costs 5 yuan. Alternatively, take a taxi, which takes 10 minutes and costs about 20 yuan.
Tourist shuttle: During peak season (June–August and December–February), a tourist shuttle from Beijing to the scenic area operates. It departs daily at 6:30 from Shaoyaoju Subway Station in Beijing and arrives at the scenic area at 11:30. The round-trip fare is 260 yuan per person, and reservations must be made 3 days in advance through the scenic area’s official website.
Opening Hours：
The scenic area is open year-round, with business hours adjusted by season. Peak season (June 1–August 31): 7:00–23:00. The night session (18:00–23:00) includes the bonfire party and some night tour programs. Shoulder season (April 1–May 31 and September 1–November 30): 8:00–21:00. Winter (December 1–March 31 of the following year): 8:30–18:00 (the ski resort operates until 17:30). Water projects operate only from May to October, and skiing projects operate only from December to February of the following year. Specific opening conditions are subject to the scenic area’s daily announcements.
Tickets：
Admission is 58 yuan per person. Entertainment programs are charged separately.