When it comes to Chinese grasslands, vast pasture lands in Inner Mongolia autonomous region near the northern border of China may come first to most people's minds. In fact, much closer, in North China's Shanxi province, there are grasslands offering another view.

Unlike the flat and gentle terrain of pasture lands in Inner Mongolia, Shanxi's grasslands are almost all on the top of mountains. Visitors have to climb mountains and pass through forests to get to the scenery. But after one or two hours of hiking, they will be able to view stunning open alpine meadows next to the sky.

When the broad alpine meadow spreads across the top of the slope and stretches into the horizon, visitors experience a feeling they rarely have on the grasslands of Inner Mongolia.

Unlike the Inner Mongolian grasslands which seem endless, the alpine grasslands in Shanxi have defined edges, with at least one section being cliffs. Standing on the pastures, visitors will see mountains rising around across valleys.

The alpine grasslands in Shanxi are also ideal summer resorts because of the high altitude and cool temperatures.

Here are the five ideal grasslands in Shanxi for visitors:

1. Malun Grassland (马仑草原)

Malun Grassland in Malun town, Ningwu county, Xinzhou city [Photo/VCG]

Covering nearly 400 hectares in Malun town, Ningwu county, Malun Grassland is up to 2,721 meters above sea level. It is a typical alpine meadow and one of the largest in North China.

The grassland has had a vast grazing slope since the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC) and Warring States Period (475-221 BC) due to its abundant water and grass. When spring ploughing is finished every year, farmers in Wuzhai, Shendi and Ningwu graze thousands of cattle, mules, donkeys and horses there.

The Malun Grassland has a varied climate. Even on hot summer days, the temperature on the top is very low, so umbrellas and light down jackets are necessary.

Address: Malun town, Ningwu county, Xinzhou city, Shanxi province