Daihai Lake in Liangcheng County , Ulanqab City, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. [Photo by Zhang Jianxin]

As August is on the horizon, the grasslands are showing their best looks.

The Huitengxile Grassland in Ulanqab, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, is no exception. Beautiful yellow flowers dance gracefully in the cool breeze. Spreading in the distance where the lush green plain meets the vast blue sky are the white traditional yurts. What a picturesque view!

'Grassland Museum' with rich history

Back in the Song and Yuan Dynasties (960–1368), provinces were called "Lu." Jining Lu in the Yuan Dynasty (1206–1368) is in today's Qahar Right Front Banner of Ulanqab. According to Zhang Hongxing, deputy director and researcher of the Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology of Inner Mongolia, Jin Emperor Zhangzong (1168–1208) first built Jining County as a major center for cross-regional trade. In the Yuan Dynasty, it was elevated to Jining Lu, directly under the administration of the central government.