An agreement? A partner? The scenery—cherishing a journey

Recently, Yu Lin shared the article "Travel More, Tour Less" on WeChat. In the article, he wrote: "Traveling is a journey of experience and insight. It’s about immersing yourself in nature, reflecting on life, and embracing every challenge—whether it’s rain, snow, wind, or rugged terrain—as a valuable chapter in your personal story. As Xi Murong once said, the greatest kind of travel is discovering a long-lost sense of wonder in a place that feels entirely unfamiliar. After all, traveling isn’t just about moving from one point to another; for me, it’s about coming home enriched and transformed."

As I stepped onto the Hulunbuir grassland, a powerful sense of tension suddenly surged toward me…

 

 

Several scheduled appointments

 

I was born in Kangping County, Liaoning Province—just a mountain hollow away from the Chifeng Grassland. That’s my earliest memory of the grassland, and even decades later, it still feels as vividly present today as if I were there again. My father once told me that if you head further north from the Chifeng Grassland, you’ll reach the Hulunbuir Grassland—the finest grassland in all of China.

 

At the age of six, driven by the nation's "Third Front Construction" initiative, our entire family moved to Sichuan. After graduating from high school, I encountered the "Going to the Mountains and Countryside" policy. Following the restoration of the college entrance exam system, I was admitted to Sichuan Agricultural College. After graduation, I was assigned to work at the Sichuan Provincial Grain Bureau. Yet, as the winds of reform and opening-up swept across China, I decided to venture into business—and surprisingly, the vast grasslands of Hulunbuir never faded away into the passage of time like a fleeting wisp of smoke.

 

My most recent visit to Inner Mongolia dates back to April 2005, when the company I was running—Dadi Hank—was constructing a new factory at the Cross-Strait Science and Technology Industrial Development Park. To gain insights into best practices in domestic enterprises' factory construction, Zhao Jianping and I traveled to Hohhot to tour the factories of Mengniu and Yili. That trip was incredibly hectic; after visiting both plants, we hurriedly returned to the company to dive straight into setting up the production facilities. Still, missing out on the chance to explore the vast grasslands of Hulunbuir left us feeling quite regretful.

 

Li Zhi, Chairman of Shenzhen Bili Mei Yingwei, is a generation older than me. He’s part of the first wave of pig farmers in New China and has earned recognition as one of the 100 leading pig farming scientists in the country. Though his work consumes most of his time, the fragrant scent of the Hulunbuir grassland always lingers in his heart. This July, while on a business trip to Chengdu, General Manager Li shared, "We’re all ‘chickens’ born at dawn—hardworking souls destined to forage tirelessly throughout our days. Yet even we, caught in this relentless cycle, occasionally yearn for moments of calm and serenity. That’s why we’ve made a promise to meet someday on the vast, tranquil plains of the grasslands."

 

In August, General Manager Li first visited Sichuan for an inspection and made a special trip to our company. He provided us with valuable guidance on various aspects of the company’s expanding animal research facility, including experimental site planning, sow estrus regulation, and adjustments to lactating sows’ feed intake. After leaving Dadi Hank, he continued his tour in Sichuan and later headed to Shandong to further explore the local pig farming industry. Meanwhile, while he was in Sichuan, I was in Guangdong. After departing Guangdong, I traveled next to Henan and then Shandong. This allowed us to “meet triumphantly” in Jinan. Following several prearranged meetings, we finally embarked together on our journey to Hulunbuir.

 

 

A few companions

 

“I once gazed at you from afar, I once drew near to you in my dreams, I once silently prayed for you, I once deeply held your spirit in my heart…”

 

Throughout my years of running a business, whether on business trips or personal travels, I’ve always chosen to travel with companions. This allows me to share and exchange ideas with my fellow travelers—experiencing both mental and physical joy while easily opening up and deepening our bonds of friendship. It’s through these repeated journeys together that I’ve met many close friends, and it’s also in these shared experiences that I’ve grown rapidly as a person.

 

Zhao Bingyi, the General Manager of Henan Chuanfu Feed, and Teacher Huang Shumei from the Teachers College of Beijing Union University, who were traveling with me, have long been my close confidants. Our driver, meanwhile, happened to be two physical education teachers from Huang Shumei’s college. Bingyi and I have known and trusted each other for many years; she even made a special trip—from Zhengzhou straight to Beijing, then onward to Hailar—to join us. She’s not only quick-witted and graceful but also remarkably eloquent. On the plane, she spontaneously penned a heartfelt, handwritten letter to Zhao Jianping, who was about to embark on her studies in the U.S.—a gesture that left me both humbled and deeply moved. As for Shumei herself, our first encounter took place on July 12, 2009, aboard the flight from Beijing to Vancouver. Born in Ulanhot, Inner Mongolia, she later pursued advanced studies at UBC’s Vocal Performance and Opera program. I once traveled all the way to Canada specifically to attend one of her acclaimed recital performances there. During that concert, she specially performed an Erdos folk song titled “Black Satin Jacket,” a piece that has remained vividly etched in my memory ever since.

 

On August 15, it was already 6:00 PM by the time we arrived in Hulunbuir. Although it was early autumn, the heat hadn’t yet dissipated. As soon as we stepped out of the airport, Zhou Changjun and Wu Hongfu, the company’s business representatives, had already been waiting at the lobby entrance for more than two hours.

 

That evening, we set up camp in Hulunbuir and enjoyed the local hand-torn lamb. Locals say that lamb from the grasslands is richer and more tender. After dinner, we watched the Oruguya stage play, which beautifully showcased the lives of the grassland herders.

 

Back at the hotel, the melody of "My Promise with the Grassland" once again echoed in my ears. I softly hummed along—before drifting off to sleep as the tune continued to linger.

 

 

Several scenic spots

 

At 9:00 a.m. on August 16, a group of nine people set off from the hotel toward the Chenqi Grassland. Chenqi, officially known as Chenbarghu Banner, is one of the four renowned pastoral banners in the vast Hulunbuir Grassland region. The drive from Hailar to Chenqi covers just a few kilometers. Along the way to the grassland, Huang Shumei spontaneously sang "The Hulunbuir Grassland," her beautiful voice echoing across the vast expanse—rich and soul-stirring yet imbued with an even deeper sense of tranquility and remoteness. Listening to this song in such an immersive, natural setting felt utterly magical.

 

August is the best time to visit the Hulunbuir grassland. Unfortunately, the grass along the road we passed through that morning wasn’t in great shape—it was somewhat yellowed. But by noon, we arrived at a herdsman’s home for a meal and got to taste authentic hand-torn mutton from the grasslands. The herdsman explained that this season benefits from lush, abundant water and pasture, making the lamb especially delicious. Hand-torn mutton is a classic dish of the Mongolian people: tender, bone-in chunks of lamb simply boiled in plain water. It’s perfectly suited for eating—held firmly in one hand while the other skillfully slices it with a traditional Mongolian knife. To enhance the flavor, locals serve their homemade chili sauce paired with fragrant chives, creating a delightful seasoning. Paired with rich, creamy milk tea, the dish is not only savory but also irresistibly flavorful, leaving us all thoroughly satisfied and enjoying every bite.

 

After having lunch at the herder's home, we boarded our vehicle and headed toward Erguna. Along the way, the scenery was breathtakingly beautiful. When the car pulled over to the roadside, none of us could contain our excitement. The moment we stepped out, Huang Shumei’s son couldn’t wait—like a little horse returning to the grassland, he bolted off at once, disappearing in an instant among the lush greenery. The nine of us then set off on foot to explore the vast grasslands. Stretching endlessly before us, the land was as flat as a sea of green. In the distance, the rolling prairie seemed to merge seamlessly with the endless blue sky. Flocks of cattle and sheep grazed peacefully, while Mongolian yurts dotted the landscape like scattered gems. And high above, fluffy white clouds drifted lazily across the heavens, seemingly suspended right within the heart of the grassy expanse.

 

Located on the eastern bank of the Erguna River, on the northwestern side of the Greater Khingan Range, the Erguna River Wetland is renowned as "Asia's Premier Wetland" due to its pristine preservation and rich biodiversity. As you step into the wetland, the Erguna River stretches endlessly into the distance, intertwining gracefully with the Hailar River to create a vast expanse of mudflats. Across the river lies Russian territory. Standing by the riverbank and gazing intently, though separated only by a single waterway, the scenery remains strikingly similar on both sides—leaving me profoundly moved by the harmonious beauty of nature.

 

Just in time for the草原's unique rainy scenery. This morning, the sky was still brilliantly sunny—so bright that it nearly blinded you—but moments after stepping into the wetlands, a sudden downpour began. The distant rain mist grew steadily closer, yet it couldn't dim the breathtaking beauty of the草原.

 

On August 17, we departed from Manzhouli and arrived at Balhu Left Banner, locally known as East Banner. In East Banner, we embarked on another trekking adventure across the grasslands for dozens of kilometers. After bidding farewell to East Banner, we returned to the Erguna River Wetlands.

 

 

How much to remember

 

From the evening of August 14 to the evening of August 18—five unforgettable days and four nights that began with companionship—this remarkable journey across the Hulunbuir Grassland took shape. It was also a once-in-a-lifetime, deeply meaningful experience in my life. Throughout this adventure, joyful sharing infused us with spiritual, intellectual, and moral strength, allowing each of us to embrace the pure joy of being travelers.

In the grand journey of my life, this is merely a small chapter. Traveling isn’t something I do on a whim, because beyond enjoying myself and sharing joy with friends, I’ve always held firm to the belief that it’s about gaining a broader perspective—and constantly seeking new knowledge along the way.

 

Li Zhi, Chairman, and Zhao Bingyi, General Manager, who accompanied us, felt the same way. We all shared the challenging years of "going to the countryside and working in the fields." At a time when China's feed industry was just beginning to flourish, we collectively decided to start our own businesses. Along the way, whenever we talked about the hardships faced by our generation as entrepreneurs, everyone resonated deeply with those stories.

 

On our journey, we not only admired the grassland scenery and savored the local cuisine, but also paid close attention to the development of the region's livestock industry. Wherever we went, this was an essential "homework assignment."

 

On August 17, we met with the director of the Dongqi Animal Husbandry Bureau, who briefed us on the local livestock industry's development. In 2013, the annual livestock inventory in Xin Barag Left Banner reached 1.378 million head (or animals), marking a 5.4% year-on-year decline. Specifically, large livestock numbered 198,067 heads, up 2.4%; small livestock stood at 1,177,522 animals, down 6.7%; and pigs totaled 2,043, surging by 70%. But why did the numbers decline? The director attributed this trend to nutritional factors: during winter, snowy conditions often lead to insufficient forage, while transportation challenges further exacerbate the problem. As a result, cattle and sheep suffer from inadequate food supplies, leaving them malnourished and highly vulnerable to disease, freezing, or even death. Additionally, calves and lambs born under such conditions are particularly susceptible to illness—and often succumb as a consequence of poor nutrition.

 

Li Zhi, Chairman, believes that strengthening the supply of premium supplementary feed requires feed companies to proactively take responsibility. It’s not just about Chenqi—on a national scale, there remains significant room for advancement in nutritional research for ruminant animals. From a business strategy perspective, China’s feed industry, after nearly a decade of rapid growth, experienced its first-ever decline last year. However, both pig feed and ruminant feed continued to grow robustly, leaving ample potential for further expansion in terms of volume. Currently, factors such as farm size, feeding techniques, and disease management still pose constraints, yet this creates immense opportunities for the future development of the ruminant sector. In recent years, Dadi Hank has successfully developed ruminant-specific flavor enhancers, which have received positive feedback, particularly in Northeast China. Moving forward, there’s much more to explore in enhancing both our product offerings and technological innovation—especially when it comes to refining feed intake regulation strategies for ruminants.

 

Traveling together makes my journey not only happier but also takes me farther. For our generation of feed industry professionals, travel is merely a fleeting moment in life—work and career are the eternal, dominant themes. As soon as our trip to Hulunbuir wrapped up, Chairman Li Zhi and General Manager Zhao Bingyi and I flew straight to Harbin, where we immediately began visiting local feed companies and farmers. We all deeply cherish this hard-earned time for travel—both myself and my companions feel the same way. On the flight back, Chairman Li Zhi was inspired and penned a song lyric, which Huang Shumei is now setting to music.

 

Hulunbuir, you've left me mesmerized.

Since I first heard your song about Hulunbuir,

Daydreaming of you, I long to meet you—

Now standing on this grassland, I wonder where you are—somewhere bordering the vast blue sky.

The boundless grassland is a rolling ocean of green waves.

Clouds drift lazily in the sky, mirrored on the grassland by flocks of sheep.

Flowers blooming in clusters on the grassland are the sun-drenched prairie's heartfelt wishes offered to visitors.

The sound of khoomei echoes from beyond the hillside.

(Huff… Ah…)

A magnificently dressed Mongolian young man, like a celestial warrior descending to earth, rides his horse to escort the bride.

Beneath the hillside, a fairy-like maiden sings a graceful, soaring long-tone florid melody that seems to reach into the clouds.

Beautiful grasslands, happy lives

(Ha… Yi… Aaaa…)

Hulunbuir, you’ve intoxicated me… intoxicated me…

(The author of this article is Li Xiaobing, General Manager of Chengdu Dadi Hank Biotechnology Co., Ltd., written in September 2014. All rights reserved. Please attribute the source when sharing or reprinting.)