Kulun Nur Tourist Resort is located 3 kilometers north of Guyuan County, Zhangjiakou City, Hebei Province, on the Bashang Plateau. It is a national 4A-level tourist attraction and a provincial-level tourist resort. The scenic area features "grassland lakes, wetland flower seas, and Mongolian-Yuan culture" as its core characteristics, integrating natural ecology and cultural experiences to form a unique Bashang grassland tourist destination. The resort covers a total area of 25.8 square kilometers, including a lake area of 9.6 square kilometers, with an altitude of 1375 meters, and it is a natural freshwater lake. The scenic area is divided into six functional zones: the Comprehensive Service Area, the Original Flower Sea Area, the Grassland Customs Experience Area, the Mountain Leisure Sports Area, the Lakeside High-end Homestay Area, and the Water Leisure Sports Area. It is equipped with facilities such as the Kaiyuan Grand Tent Banquet Center and the Baihai Palace Hotel, with a total of over 500 guest rooms, capable of accommodating 1,500 people at the same time, and receiving over 500,000 visitors annually. The average temperature in summer is 17-22℃, making it a well-known summer resort in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.
Historical Culture
Kulun Nur is surrounded by rich historical relics, including the Liao Dynasty palace site, Xiliang Pavilion, and the Xiaohongcheng Site, a key cultural relics protection unit in Hebei Province. These relics witness the important position of the Bashang area during the Liao, Jin, and Yuan dynasties. The Xiaohongcheng Site is the site of the Yuan Dynasty Chahan Nao'er Palace, which was once the summer resort and administrative place of Kublai Khan, Emperor Shizu of the Yuan Dynasty. Cultural relics such as dragon-patterned eave tiles and pottery figurines have been unearthed here, providing important physical materials for the study of court architecture and political culture during the Mongolian-Yuan period.
The scenic area has deeply explored Mongolian-Yuan culture and restored such cultural symbols as Kublai Khan's elephant chariot (4.5 meters high and 6 meters long, replicated on a 1:1 scale according to the imperial procession of the Yuan Dynasty) and the "Prayer Ovoo" (12 meters in diameter and 8 meters high, built in accordance with traditional Mongolian rituals). The large-scale live-action equestrian performance Kulun Khan Court Ceremony recreates the historical scenes of grassland tribes in the Yuan Dynasty, integrating horse culture and Mongolian-Yuan etiquette into tourism experiences, allowing visitors to intuitively feel the historical context of grassland civilization.
Main Attractions
Kulun Nur Lake (Swan Lake)
The lake has a vast surface and clear water, surrounded by stretches of grassland and wetlands. Due to its good ecological environment, it attracts a large number of migratory birds (including swans, wild geese, herons, etc.) to stop here during the spring and autumn migrations every year, hence the name "Swan Lake". Strolling along the lakeside, bird watching and photography, and enjoying the sunrise and sunset over the grassland lake, the scenery is magnificent and peaceful.
Original Flower Sea Area
The Original Flower Sea Area covers more than 10,000 mu and is the largest natural wetland flower sea in the Bashang area, with nearly 100 species of wild flowers such as golden lotus, stellera chamaejasme, and poppy. From June to September every year, various flowers bloom in succession, and in mid-to-late July, golden lotuses enter their full bloom period, forming a spectacular "10,000 mu of golden yellow" scene. The scenic area has built a 900-meter-long solid wood viewing plank road with 3 rest pavilions along the way; the core area has a 4-story viewing platform, 15 meters high with a construction area of 300 square meters, and you can overlook the whole view of the flower sea from the top. The supporting science popularization corridor displays the growth habits and ecological value of 20 main flowers, becoming an important place for natural education.
Grassland Customs Experience Area
The Grassland Customs Experience Area covers an area of 800 mu, focusing on displaying Mongolian-Yuan culture and nomadic life. There is a live-action equestrian performance venue in the area that can accommodate 2,000 people, where the "Kulun Khan Court Ceremony" (45 minutes long) is staged every day, 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 holds folk horse racing activities. The riding ground is divided into two areas: primary (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 archery lanes, equipped with traditional ox horn bows and modern compound bows. In addition, visitors can visit herders' homes (traditional yurt communities) and experience folk activities such as milking cows and making milk skins.
Mountain Leisure Sports Area
The Mountain Leisure Sports Area is located on the west mountain of the scenic area, covering an area of 1,200 mu, and is a year-round leisure sports destination. In summer, there are 6 grass skiing tracks with a length of 300 meters and 2 colorful slides with a drop of 50 meters, equipped with 50 sets of professional skiing equipment. The Marco Polo Castle (European-style building, 20 meters high, with a construction area of 500 square meters) is built on the top of the mountain, offering a 360° view of Kulun Nur. In winter, it turns into a ski resort with 3 primary ski trails (200-400 meters long) and 1 intermediate ski trail (600 meters long), equipped with a ski equipment rental center (500 sets of equipment such as ski suits, ski shoes, and ski boards) and a ski school (30 coaches), suitable for family skiing and beginners' experience.
Water Leisure and Entertainment Area
The Water Leisure and Entertainment Area relies on the 9.6-square-kilometer Kulun Nur lake surface and is equipped with various water facilities. The luxury cruise ship "Kulun" (30 meters long, 8 meters wide, with a capacity of 150 people) operates 4 times a day, with a 50-minute lake tour; 10 speedboats (8 passengers each) and 15 jet skis provide lake racing experiences; there are also 30 battery boats and 50 pedal boats, suitable for family leisure tours. A designated area has a fishing platform (100 meters long, capable of accommodating 50 people fishing at the same time). The lake is rich in crucian carp, carp, Wuchang fish, etc. Fishing enthusiasts can bring their own fishing gear or rent it on site (fishing rod rental fee is 20 yuan/day). In summer, a water flying man project is also available, with professional coaches leading aerial stunt performances and experiences.
Comprehensive Service Area
The Comprehensive Service Area is the core hub of the scenic area, covering an area of 500 mu and integrating supporting facilities such as catering, accommodation and shopping. The Kaiyuan Grand Tent Banquet Center (50 meters in diameter and 18 meters in height) can accommodate 1,000 people for dining at the same time, featuring special cuisines like Mongolian-style whole roasted lamb (needs to be booked 6 hours in advance, 1,200 yuan per lamb) and whole fish feast. The Baihai Palace Hotel, a four-star standard hotel, has 200 guest rooms, including 10 lake-view suites (60 square meters each) and 30 parent-child rooms. Chenggele Square hosts bonfire parties every evening (from 20:00 to 21:30), where visitors can participate in interactive activities such as Andai dance and matouqin performances. The service area is also equipped with a children's playground (3,000 square meters, with facilities like slides and trampolines), Tianlu Ice Spring (a natural mineral water supply station) and a 20-kilometer road around the lake. It provides 150 shared bicycles, sightseeing trains (one trip per hour, 50 minutes for the whole journey) and other means of transportation.
Tour Route
Recommended one-day tour route: Arrive at the Comprehensive Service Area at 8:30 am, take the sightseeing train to enjoy the scenery around the lake (50 minutes); go to the Original Flower Sea Area at 9:30 am, walk along the wooden plank road and climb the viewing platform (1.5 hours); go to the Grassland Customs Experience Area at 11:00 am, watch the equestrian performance at 11:30 am, experience horse riding (1 hour) and archery (30 minutes); return to the Comprehensive Service Area for lunch at 13:00 pm (1 hour). Go to the Water Leisure and Entertainment Area at 14:30 pm, take the luxury cruise ship around the lake (50 minutes) and experience the pedal boat (1 hour); go to the Mountain Leisure Sports Area at 16:30 pm, experience grass skiing or colorful slide (1 hour), and climb the Marco Polo Castle for viewing (30 minutes); return to the Comprehensive Service Area at 18:00 pm, and after free activities, participate in the bonfire party at 20:00 to end the one-day trip. For a two-day tour, you can add accommodation in the Lakeside High-end Homestay Area (watch the sunrise over the lake early the next morning), winter skiing or summer fishing and other projects to deeply experience the characteristics of the scenic area.
Travel Suggestions
- The best visiting season is from June to September, when the flower sea is in full bloom and the temperature is pleasant (average 17-22℃); winter from December to February is suitable for skiing, and you can participate in the Ice and Snow Fishing Culture Festival.
- It is recommended to spend 1-2 days here. A one-day tour can cover the core attractions, while a two-day tour allows for in-depth participation in folk activities and sports projects.
- Family tourists are recommended to visit the children's playground, take pedal boats, and try primary skiing. Children aged 6-12 can participate in the interactive part of the equestrian performance.
- Photography enthusiasts can take pictures of the flower sea when golden lotuses are in full bloom in July, shoot the sunrise over the lake from 6:00-7:00 am, and capture the grassland sunset from 19:00-20:00 pm.
- Recommended delicacies include the whole roasted lamb in Kaiyuan Grand Tent (suitable for 10-12 people to share), hand-held meat (80 yuan/jin), and milk curd (25 yuan/serving), which are better when paired with Tianlu spring water.
- It is necessary to book cruise ships and whole roasted lamb one day in advance in summer. For winter skiing, it is recommended to go on weekdays to avoid the weekend peak.
Matters Needing Attention
- The temperature difference between day and night in the Bashang area is large. In summer, you need to bring a thin coat (the temperature can be as low as 10℃ in the morning and evening); in winter, you need to wear down jackets, snow boots and other warm equipment (the lowest temperature can be -25℃).
- You must wear a life jacket when participating in water projects. High-risk projects such as jet skis and water flying man are only open to healthy people aged 16-55, and a safety agreement must be signed.
- For sports projects such as horse riding and skiing, you must follow the coach's instructions, wear safety gear, and are prohibited from entering non-designated areas without permission.
- Picking flowers in the Original Flower Sea Area is prohibited, and violators will be fined 50-200 yuan; smoking is prohibited in wetland areas, and littering is strictly forbidden throughout the scenic area.
- There are many mosquitoes in summer, so it is recommended to bring mosquito repellent; the ultraviolet rays are strong, so you need to apply sunscreen with SPF50+, and wear a sun hat and sunglasses.
- Flammable and explosive items are prohibited during the bonfire party. You must stay in the designated area and obey the management of the staff.
- Shared bicycles in the scenic area are limited to a speed of 10 kilometers per hour. On the road around the lake, please drive on the right side and watch out for pedestrians.
Transportation
- Self-driving: Starting from Beijing, take the Beijing-Tibet Expressway (G6) and transfer to the Zhangjiakou-Chengde Expressway (G95), get off at Guyuan South Exit, drive 8 kilometers north along Baoping Line to reach the destination. The total distance is about 380 kilometers, and the driving time is 5 hours; starting from Zhangjiakou City, take the Zhangjiakou-Chengde Expressway (G95) to Guyuan South Exit, then drive along Baoping Line. The total distance is about 230 kilometers, and the driving time is 3 hours. The scenic area's parking lot is free and can accommodate 1,000 small cars.
- Public transportation: Beijing Liuliqiao Bus Station has a direct bus to Guyuan County at 7:30 am every day, with a driving time of 6 hours and a ticket price of 130 yuan; after arriving in Guyuan County, take Bus No. 1 (Guyuan Bus Station - Kulun Nur) to the scenic area directly, with a bus every 30 minutes, a driving time of 15 minutes and a ticket price of 5 yuan; or take a taxi, with a driving time of 10 minutes and a fare of about 20 yuan.
- Tourist special line: In peak seasons (June-August, December-February), a tourist direct bus from Beijing to the scenic area is available, departing from Beijing Shaoyaoju Subway Station at 6:30 am every day and arriving at the scenic area at 11:30 am. The round-trip ticket price is 260 yuan per person, and it needs to be booked through the scenic area's official website 3 days in advance.
Opening Hours
It is open all year round, with adjusted business hours according to seasons. In peak season (June 1 - August 31), the opening hours are 7:00-23:00, and the night session (18:00-23:00) offers bonfire parties and some night tour projects; in flat season (April 1 - May 31, September 1 - November 30), the opening hours are 8:00-21:00; in winter (December 1 - March 31 of the next year), the opening hours are 8:30-18:00 (the ski resort is open until 17:30). Among them, water projects are only open from May to October, and skiing projects are only open from December to February of the next year. For specific opening conditions, please refer to the scenic area's announcement on the day.
Tickets
The ticket price is 58 yuan per person, and entertainment projects require additional charges.
You can search for the service account "库伦淖尔旅游度假区" on WeChat to get the latest news or buy tickets online.