Lanzhou University International Summer Program | Visiting Shandan Horse Farm to Experience the Charm of Grassland Ecology and Horse Culture

Recently, participants in Lanzhou University's 2026 International Summer Program (ISP) traveled to the foothills of the Qilian Mountains to visit Shandan Horse Farm, a historic site with a history spanning more than 2,000 years. Amid its vast meadows, they experienced the unique blend of grassland ecology and horse culture.

Participants join hands during a Tibetan dance. Photo by Liu Lei

Upon arriving at the grassland, the participants joined local residents in the traditional Tibetan Guozhuang dance. Music proved to be a universal language, and in that moment, any sense of unfamiliarity quickly disappeared as everyone embraced the sincerity and warmth unique to the plateau. A participant from Nebrija University in Spain said he was deeply touched by the warmth of his Chinese friends, adding that the sense of being welcomed and included made the experience especially meaningful.

Participants perform the traditional Guozhuang dance with local residents. Photo by Liu Lei

After the lively Guozhuang dance, the participants attended an ecology lecture at the horse farm. Located on the Damaying Grassland at the northern foot of Lenglong Ridge in the Qilian Mountains, Shandan Horse Farm has served as an imperial horse-breeding center since ancient times and is renowned as the "Silk Road Emerald" and the "Pearl of the Qilian Mountains." Home to more than two millennia of military horse-breeding history, the farm has also become an important ecological safeguard for the Qilian Mountains. The guide introduced the farm's institutional history, explained the ecological functions of Qilian Mountain National Park, and outlined the specific measures being taken to promote sustainable grassland development. The presentation connected millennia-old nomadic wisdom with modern ecological conservation and management. The participants listened attentively, asked thoughtful questions, and engaged in lively discussions on topics including grassland conservation and biodiversity.

Participants pose for a group photo. Photo by Liu Lei

The participants then mounted their horses and rode across the expansive meadows. What began with cautious movements and tightly gripped reins gradually gave way to confidence as they found their rhythm and connected with their horses. Through the experience, they felt the pulse of the grasslands firsthand and connected with China's military horse heritage and ecological conservation.

Participants ride freely across the expansive meadows. Photo by Liu Lei

Against the backdrop of the endless grasslands, ethnic song and dance, together with the exhilaration of horseback riding, brought young people from different cultural backgrounds closer together despite the distances that once separated them. Although the visit has come to an end, the freedom they experienced on horseback and the friendships they forged across mountains and seas will remain cherished memories long after they return home.