Leaving Ergun city and continuing to explore the area
Morning time had a nice breakfast at the hotel and headed to Bai Hualin Scenic spot. Endless grasslands where the roads cut in the middle
Arrived at Bai Hualin scenic spot
This place is a unique and growing birch forest on the grassland. In the scenic area, there are not only birch forests and rolling sand dunes but also the Diyanguole river flowing by, small wild fruit trees, and smelly plums growing in the sand dunes. Wooden paths are crossing everywhere, and you should try to follow them to keep the forest as intact as possible.
In Finland, we make birch whiskers to hit our bodies in the sauna. This will make you feel fresh and feeling good.
Short facts of the birch whisk usage in Finland
Air circulation – a Vihta is used in a sauna to circulate the hot and cold air by using it as a fan. Mixing the hot and cold layers of a sauna will provide more even heat. By swirling the whisk in a circular motion, you will cause a rapid mixture of the air.
Blood circulation – sauna bathers also use traditionally the Vihta or sauna whisk to increase the blood circulation on the skin. Soaking the Vihta in water and then gently lashing it on the skin causes the blood flow to increase at the skin’s surface. This is believed to elevate the sauna bather’s circulation and promote health and well-being. The water from the whisk also helps to cool the bather.
Aromatherapy – the type of branch that is used is equally important. The most common types of Vihta as Birch, Oak, Linden, and Eucalypts. Each has a different healing property. For example, birch leaves contain ethereal oils, tanning agents, and vitamin A and C, leaving the bather’s skin smooth and silky. The natural oils help open the lungs and increase breathing. Oak branches, on the other hand, are suited to oily skin and have an extraordinarily strong anti-inflammatory agent that reduces swelling and blood pressure.
Stopping by some roadside activities
We can see many places offering activities by the roadside. Restaurants in the yurt, horse riding, buggy driving, and interacting with the farm animals. We went for some riding together and afterward took the buggies out to the grasslands letting the kids drive them. No need for us to interact; they could drive good
Staying overnight at the Hong Ji La Bu Daying camping
Big area with yurts, and they even had some space for DIY travelers. Found our spot in the high grasslands, and three families parked there overnight. We came pretty late and only prepared dinner together and went to bed. Therefore I don’t have any review of the place. Very common the spots for people traveling by RV/caravan are not well maintained. Here we had knee-high grass groves everywhere, but at least electricity and water were available.
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Road trip | Inner Mongolia 2021 | Fun day on the way and a forest full of birch trees Bai Hualin scenic spot | Day 12
Petri Muurimaki
