We were joyous on the morning that we set out for our much-anticipated destination - the Bayanbulak Grasslands.

The road leading to Bayanbulak was not so smooth. But disappointment turned into unexpected satisfaction when we saw vast grasslands outside the car windows. Sometimes we could see flocks of sheep, which made us think that the world was nothing but grasslands, sheep and sky. The gentle verdant grasses and cool wind made us want to sing a folk song. But as city dwellers, it was a pity that we only knew pop songs and no folk songs.

Before we arrived at Bayanbulak, it suddenly rained. With the thick clouds, we could hardly make out if we were anywhere that could touch the sky. Although it rained heavily on the way there, we could see sunlight hidden behind the mountains miles away. Surprisingly, the rain stopped after a few minutes, and the sky became deep azure. We just stopped so often to enjoy the splendid views of mountains, rivers and rock formations.

After a six-hour drive, we finally arrived at Bayanbulak in the afternoon. With no desire to overeat, we just headed directly to the Bayanbulak Grasslands. Local officials told us that the grasslands used to be much more beautiful than what we saw on our way there.

The lush greenery overwhelmed our senses. The grasslands were quiet. My feet sounded like cantering hooves when I walked. From a distance, the grasslands seemed like a continuous rolling hill. The absolute serenity of the sky was beyond description.

The horses on the grasslands were the main attraction. Clouds of dust swelled high into the distance whenever someone rode a horse. Some of the riders cantered the horses to show their skills, while others rode off to their yurts, the primary form of shelter for nomadic Mongolians, dating back to ancient times.

Interestingly, when we walked around the grasslands, it rained again. A magnificent double rainbow regaled us after the rain stopped.
There are realists, and there are dreamers in life. For those who want to get away from the hassles and headaches of fast-paced city life, the Bayanbulak Grasslands provide an excellent therapeutic retreat.