The Bashang (坝上) Plateau, the nearest prairie from Beijing or Chengde, have long been one of the ideal sites to escape the metropolis. It would be divided into four parts geographically ie: Fengning Bashang, Zhangbei Bashang, Weichang Bashang and Guyuan Bashang. The four parts are located in four different counties of Hebei Province.
The landscape in the Mulan Weichang (木兰围场), which locates at 450 kilometers northeast to Beijing, is the most beautiful with its view of forest and grassland. There are 1658 square kilometers covered with forest or grassland. The altitude here is 1500-2000 meters. From June to September, it is the best time to visit at the average temperature rages from 17 to 19 degrees, about 10 degrees lower than that in downtown Beijing. Horse riding, camping, watching local wrestling competitions, or staying in farmers' Mongolian yurts to eat roast whole sheep and other plain foods, are the main attractions for visitors. Vast lakes, and sunrises and sunsets over the grasslands provide great views for city dwellers who've grown tired of the urban sprawl.
Another favorite photographic base in Bashang Grassland shall be either Hongshan Junmachang（红山军马场）or Jixie Linchang（机械林场）. The towns are only 18 kilometers away from each other yet Jixie Linchang is in Hebei Province whereas Hongshan Junmachang is in Inner Mongolia. Most photographers choose Hongshan Junmachang as their base because it is simply closer to most scenic/photographic spots.
For professional photographers all year round as the place offers very different types of scenery in different seasons. End of May and early June is the best time to photograph spring colours. In the end of June and early July cole flowers bloom and it is the ideal time to photograph endless fields of green and yellow. End of September is the best time to photograph autumn scenery. Winter landscape in Bashang is very attractive, too.