Travel Guide to Hulunbuir and Arxan

A Golden Autumn Adventure 🍂 ⏰ Best Time to Visit: Mid-September to early October is the perfect time to explore this area. The grasslands turn golden under the autumn breeze, and the forests transform into a colorful wonderland, as if stepping into a fairy tale! 🚗 Transportation Guide: ✈️ By Air: Fly directly to Hailar Dongshan Airport. There are plenty of flight options, and you can rent a car or hire a driver to visit various attractions after landing—super convenient. 🚄 By Train: Hailar also has a train station. Though the journey takes longer, it’s a good option for those with more time. 🎈 6-Day, 5-Night Itinerary: Day 1: Hailar → Morigele River → Grassland Exploration → Erguna Wetland → Birch Forest → Enhe Start with the Morigele River, where the blue waters meander through the golden grasslands like a flowing painting. Then head to Erguna Wetland to experience nature’s vibrant palette. Day 2: Enhe → Shiwei → Border Road → Ulan Mountain Scenic Area → Wuka → Heishantou Spend a day as a herder in Heishantou—feed lambs, dress in traditional Mongolian attire for photos, and join a bonfire party in the evening to immerse yourself in authentic grassland life. Day 3: Heishantou → Border Road → 186 Ribbon River → Visit a Herdsman’s Home → National Gate/Matryoshka Square → Manzhouli Enjoy thrilling grass sledding at 186 Ribbon River. In Manzhouli, explore the Matryoshka Square for a taste of Russian culture and cuisine. Day 4: Manzhouli → Hulun Lake → Rose Peak → Dongyang Railway Station → Bailang Peak → Arxan Admire the serene autumn scenery of Hulun Lake, and don’t miss the photogenic Dongyang Railway Station with its unique Japanese-style architecture. Day 5: Arxan → Arxan National Forest Park (Heavenly Lake/Stone Forest/Dujuan Lake/Santan Gorge, etc.) Walk along wooden paths through golden birch forests, gaze at the sapphire-like Heavenly Lake from the mountaintop, and explore the unique charm of Stone Forest, Dujuan Lake, and Santan Gorge. Day 6: Arxan National Forest Park → Zhangzi Pine Scenic Avenue → Qixian Lake Grassland → Hailar Drive along the scenic Zhangzi Pine Avenue, enjoy the vastness of Qixian Lake Grassland, and conclude your journey with a perfect ending. 🍜 Food Recommendations: 🥩 Mongolian Cuisine: Try hand-held lamb, roasted lamb ribs, lamb skewers, and Mongolian milk tea for a hearty feast. 🥟 Local Staples: Buryat dumplings with rich, flavorful broth and beef pies are must-tries. 🍔 Russian Delicacies: In Manzhouli, savor Russian sausages, rye bread, kvass, and ice cream. 🌰 Wild Delights: Sample wild mushrooms and blueberry jam—especially delicious when spread on rye bread. 📢 Tips: - The temperature difference between day and night is significant, so pack warm coats, hats, scarves, and gloves. During the day, light sweaters or sweatshirts are sufficient. - Bring insect repellent and a full-face mask for the grasslands. - Some areas have poor signal coverage, so download offline maps in advance. - Respect local customs and avoid trespassing on herders’ private land. This autumn, let’s head to Hulunbuir and Arxan for a golden romantic getaway! 💕