When we finally arrived at the location of Bahuanhe Grassland after crossing mountains and rivers, we still didn't see the river flowing through the grassland as we had dreamed. Even after reaching our destination, there was no vast green field stretching as far as the eye could see like the sea. We were misled by the dense jungle along the way, driving on a narrow concrete road until a local told us we were already deep in the heart of Bahuanhe Grassland. Only then did we turn back to find the open alpine meadow. Bahuanhe Grassland is located in Maolan Town, Yun County, Lincang City, Yunnan Province. Unlike many other meadows we've seen, this grassland is scattered deep within the jungle of the mountains. Only the cattle, sheep, and the mountain people who have lived here for a long time know the exact location of each patch of grassland and have seen the scenery of each grassland in all seasons and times of day.
Driving from Weishan Ancient City to Bahuanhe Grassland, we saw the Lancang River scenery when crossing the Lancang River Bridge. The emerald green river water flowed slowly and silently in the gentle and open waters on both sides. The mountains on both banks layered one upon another, winding into the distance, as if the green of the river surged from the mountains on both sides. The magnificent cross-river bridge connected the two banks, and as our car roared past, it met the flowing water below and immediately parted ways.
After crossing the river, we saw a small village by the roadside, with old and new houses mixed together, looking a bit messy. The old houses that bore the marks of time were more eye-catching.
On the Xianglin Highway, we could see many such mountains. Every clear line on the mountain seemed to hide a story of its own. They used sunlight and air to spread it in a not-so-secret way, just as we saw, yet inconsistent with what we saw.
From time to time, restaurants appeared by the roadside, each with many tempting hams hanging at the entrance.
When we left the Xianglin Highway and took this winding narrow concrete road, we were only about a dozen kilometers away from Bahuanhe Grassland.
Following the signposts by the roadside, a small patch of grassland in Bahuanhe Grassland abruptly appeared by the road. Asking the locals vacationing there, we learned that this was part of the grassland. To enjoy the view, we needed to go back to the grassland with a viewing platform. I crossed a small patch of shrubbery and a pine forest and quickly found the grassland. But the staircase path being paved was really an eyesore. Who would want to walk such an incongruous staircase in nature?
Shortly after we arrived, many locals came to camp here, making the open grassland noisy and smoky.
It is understood that the local government intends to turn this place into a resort. Many facilities are still under construction, and it's unknown what the final result will look like.
Probably in the early stages of construction, the management of the grassland is not yet up to par. Things like random parking and littering that harm the environment go unnoticed, which is truly disheartening.
Near the viewing platform, a small patch of original grassland fenced off was overgrown with wild grass as tall as a person. This is the most primitive appearance of Bahuanhe Grassland, a natural state untouched by humans and ungrazed by livestock. The slender wild grass swayed gracefully in the autumn wind, emitting a faint, subtle fragrance of grass that drifted with the breeze into every corner and crevice of the grassland, floating above the vitality of the changing sunlight and moonlight. How I wish this small fenced area were magical, transforming all the other places trampled by humans and animals into the same state.
There are many narrow paths on the grassland that appear in inconspicuous places, charging straight into the distance and deep into the jungle. Following these paths, you will be pleasantly surprised to find that they lead you to another more perfect grassland, where there are no other human activities. People think it's too remote and difficult to reach, unwilling to exert extra effort. But cattle and sheep love it, so follow them and you'll find the real nature.
In autumn, Bahuanhe Grassland is still lush green, with only some ferns turning yellow. Yellow leaves on trees are rare. The alpine rhododendrons are still dormant this season, silently guarding their green vitality, waiting for winter when all flowers wither to bloom brilliantly and stand out among the mountains.
On the way back, the distant villages looked like white flowers blooming in the mountains, deeply attracting travelers to stop and gaze. Without these villages, nature would probably be boring.
