First Night on the Prairie: Our First Camping Trip at Xundian Beidaying Grassland

Departure: Catching the Last Clear Skies Before the Rainy Season

Kunming in May is like a moody child. One moment it's blazing with sunshine, the next it's shrouded in dark clouds. By June, the rain takes over the city completely, turning clear days into a rare luxury.

On May 19, 2018, we decided to do something we'd been dreaming about for ages before the monsoon arrived: go camping. We set our sights on the Beidaying Grassland in Xundian County, a place that came into the public eye thanks to the film Forever Young (released in 2018 but shot in 2010). The props left behind on the prairie have long been battered by wind and rain, now barely recognizable. But somehow, that decay only adds to the place's raw, desolate beauty.

It was just me, Xiaoyi'er (my partner), and our dog Judy. We stuffed the trunk with a tent, sleeping bags, food, and all sorts of odds and ends, and set off on our very first camping adventure.

The Road: 120 Kilometers of Bumps and Anticipation

Typing "Beidaying Grassland" into the GPS showed it was about 120 kilometers from Kunming. That doesn't sound too bad, but once we hit the road, we realized the real challenge was the mountain stretch in the second half.

The first part on the expressway was smooth sailing. We drove north, watching the landscape shift from towering city buildings to rolling hills. But after we exited the highway, things took a sharp turn for the worse. The rural roads were potholed like they'd been bombed—there were craters everywhere, and nothing but craters. Our car crawled along, kicking up clouds of dust.

Two and a half hours later, when the view suddenly opened up into a vast expanse of grassland, all the fatigue melted away. No entrance fee, no staff, no fences—just pure, untouched prairie. It was so wild and natural that we couldn't help but take a deep breath.

Setting Up Camp: Claiming Our Little Patch of the Prairie

We found a relatively flat spot and started pitching the tent. It was our first time, so the process was clumsy but full of laughter. Xiaoyi'er gave directions while I did the heavy lifting. Judy, meanwhile, ran around in excited circles, occasionally snatching a tent peg and making us laugh and groan at the same time.

When the tent was finally up, a wave of accomplishment washed over us. A temporary home, right there on the prairie.

Letting Loose: Face-offs with Cattle and Adventures with Judy

The prairie was teeming with animals. Herds of cattle and sheep grazed lazily, occasionally lifting their heads to eye us with curiosity. There were also a few tall, majestic horses—real big ones, not the small ponies common in Yunnan. They stood in the distance, looking imposing.

Judy got excited the moment she spotted the sheep. Her hunting instincts kicked in instantly. She lowered her body, focused her gaze, and crept slowly toward a handsome white ram. The ram wasn't about to back down. It stopped eating, raised its head, and locked eyes with Judy. The two stood there in a standoff for what felt like forever, neither willing to yield. In the end, Judy gave up first—probably deciding the sheep was too boring—and ran off to chase butterflies instead.

Relics of the Film: Fragments Left by Time

Scattered across the grassland were props left behind from the filming of Forever Young: a few battered airplane models, some crumbling barracks. A decade of sun and rain had stripped them of their movie magic, turning them into silent markers on the prairie.

There weren't many tourists. Occasionally, we'd spot a camper van or a private car, mostly families with kids and pets, here for picnics, camping, or flying kites. We snapped a few photos with the decaying props, marking our visit.

Afternoon Bliss: Filling Our Stomachs in Nature's Embrace

After wandering around for a while, our stomachs started growling. We spread a picnic mat next to the tent and laid out the food we'd brought—sandwiches, fruit, snacks, and a thermos of hot tea. No fancy tableware, no elaborate plating. But under the blue sky and white clouds, with a gentle breeze brushing past, every bite tasted extraordinary.

Full and content, we lay back on the mat, closed our eyes, and let the sounds of the wind, birds, and distant cattle wash over us. The city's noise and work stress felt distant and hazy.

Nightfall: From Hesitation to Peace of Mind

As the sun began to sink, one question loomed: where would we spend the night?

Our neighbors gradually packed up and left, leaving the campsite emptier by the minute. We hesitated. Was it safe to spend the night on this unmanaged prairie? Were there wild animals? Would anyone bother us?

We stopped a family packing their gear and asked for advice. They told us that camping here was indeed unregulated, but safety wasn't guaranteed. They suggested we head toward a nearby farmhouse, have dinner there, and find a spot to set up camp afterward.

We took their advice and drove out. Along the way, a sign caught our eye: "Kunming · Eagle Mountain Camping Base." Following the arrows, we drove through a gate. There was a fee—30 yuan per car. It felt safer here, with basic facilities and management.

After paying, we found a flat spot and set up the tent again. Just as we finished, the sun touched the horizon, painting the sky in warm shades of orange and red.

Prairie Sunset: Romance Through Brush and Lens

Xiaoyi'er pulled out her sketchbook and pencils, saying she wanted to draw the sunset over the prairie. She sat in front of the tent, focused, tracing the colors on the horizon. Occasionally, she'd look up, then look down again to continue. I, meanwhile, captured the moment with my camera and phone—not just the sunset's grandeur, but her absorbed expression as she drew.

That simple sketch held more warmth than any photograph. Because it was what she saw with her eyes and felt with her heart.

Stars and the Milky Way: A Forgotten Brilliance

The prairie night was so quiet that only the wind could be heard. Without the city's light pollution, the starry sky above was breathtakingly pure. Countless stars dotted the sky, even more than I remembered seeing in the countryside as a child.

I downloaded a stargazing app on my phone and learned that the Milky Way would be visible around 2 a.m. So I set an alarm, crawled into my sleeping bag, and took a nap.

At exactly 2 a.m., the alarm went off. I poked my head out of the tent and looked up—and froze. A silvery band of light stretched across the sky, like a river of stars flowing in the heavens, so beautiful it felt unreal. All drowsiness vanished, replaced by awe and emotion.

Our Camping "Neighbors": The Paradox of Noise and Comfort

Next to us was a group of about twenty people. They had a barbecue grill and a karaoke setup, and they started partying from early evening. The smell of grilled meat wafted over, and their singing echoed across the prairie. Honestly, it was a bit noisy. But strangely, that noise brought a sense of comfort—at least it meant we weren't in the middle of nowhere.

Morning: Saying Goodbye to the Prairie, Returning to Routine

The next day, we woke up naturally on the prairie. When I opened my eyes, sunlight was already flooding the tent. Our neighbors had long left, replaced by a new group of tourists—a middle-aged and elderly tour group. They were striking various poses for group photos, laughter filling the air.

Compared to them, we felt a bit out of place. We packed up the tent and gear, loaded everything into the car, and got ready to head home.

Final Thoughts: What Our First Camping Trip Gave Us

On the drive back, I kept thinking: what did this first camping trip give us?

Was it the awe under the stars? The freedom of the prairie? The courage to face the unknown with someone you love? Or Judy's clumsy yet adorable antics chasing sheep?

Probably all of the above.

If you're thinking of camping at Beidaying Grassland, here are a few tips:

• Navigation: Search for "Beidaying Grassland" or "Eagle Mountain Camping Base"
• Road Conditions: The second half has many potholes; a car with higher ground clearance is recommended
• Cost: The grassland is free; Eagle Mountain Camping Base charges 30 yuan per car
• Safety: It's best to choose a managed campsite for overnight stays
• Gear: Tent, sleeping bag, ground pad, food, water, warm clothing
• Best Season: May to early June, before the rainy season

Our first camping trip was a bit messy, a bit chaotic, but mostly beautiful and unforgettable.

I think we'll be back.

If you're also into camping, feel free to share your experiences.