Autumn Travel Guide to Northern Xinjiang: Hulunbuir & Arxan

September in Northern Xinjiang is simply breathtaking! Hulunbuir's golden grasslands stretch endlessly, Arxan's forests turn caramel-colored, and the volcanic Tianchi Lake gleams like a sapphire amidst it all. This 20-day limited-time scenery is a must-see! 📅 Best Time to Visit Mid-September to early October! Too early and the forests won't be fully golden; too late and you might encounter snow blocking the roads. To capture the vibrant autumn foliage, timing is key. 🧳 Essentials for the Trip 👗 Clothing: With a day-night temperature difference of over 15°C, follow this formula—quick-dry clothes + fleece jacket + windproof shell/thin down jacket. Also, pack a scarf, gloves, waterproof hiking shoes, and hand warmers for early morning shoots. 🛒 Other items: Sunscreen, sunglasses (to protect against UV rays and snow glare), a wide-angle camera (perfect for capturing vast landscapes), a thermos, digestive medicine (to adapt to lamb and beef dishes), and some cash in case rural accommodations don't accept digital payments. 📅 Itinerary 👉 Day 1: Hailar → Morigele River → Grassland Exploration → Ergun Wetland → Birch Forest → Enhe 👉 Day 2: Enhe → Charming Town of Shiwei → Border Road → Ulan Mountain Scenic Area → Wuka → Heishantou 👉 Day 3: Heishantou → Border Highway → 186 Ribbon River → Visit Local Herdsmen → National Gate/Matryoshka Square → Manzhouli 👉 Day 4: Manzhouli → Hulun Lake → Rose Peak → Dongyang Railway Station → White Wolf Peak → Arxan 👉 Day 5: Arxan → Arxan National Forest Park (Tianchi Lake/Stone Forest/Dujuan Lake/Santan Gorge, etc.) 👉 Day 6: Arxan National Forest Park → Zhangzi Pine Scenic Avenue → Qixian Lake Grassland → Hailar 🚗 Transportation Tips ✈ Major Transportation: Direct flights to Arxan are limited; flying to Ulanhot or Shenyang and transferring by train is more cost-effective. For Hulunbuir, land in Hailar. 🚘 Local Travel: Attractions are scattered, so renting a car or hiring a driver is recommended. Within Arxan National Forest Park, you must take the sightseeing bus (105 RMB, valid for two days—don’t lose your ticket). 🏨 Accommodation Recommendations ✅ Arxan: Stay at guesthouses on Wenquan Street in the city center, close to the night market; or opt for homestays in Tianchi Town within the scenic area, walking distance to the sightseeing bus station. ✅ Hulunbuir: Along the grassland route, stay in herdsmen’s homestays to experience Mongolian yurts; in towns, choose chain hotels for more comfort. 🍱 Must-Try Local Cuisine 🍖 Hulunbuir: Hand-grabbed lamb with chive flower sauce—freshly slaughtered lamb is tender and not gamey. ✅ Arxan: Iron pot stewed goose with corn pancakes dipped in soup, stir-fried wild wormwood with cured meat for a refreshing taste, and don’t forget to brew tea with mineral water from Wuli Spring. ⚠️ Important Notes 1. Many attractions in Arxan involve "car + boardwalk"; the Tianchi Lake stairs are steep, so elderly and children should proceed cautiously. 2. Signal is weak in grasslands and forest areas; download offline maps in advance and avoid venturing alone into undeveloped routes. 3. Respect local customs—remove shoes before entering Mongolian yurts, and be gentle when feeding deer/reindeer to avoid startling them. 4. Bring enough power banks; the scenery is so photogenic that your phone battery will drain quickly. From Hulunbuir’s haystacks under the setting sun to Arxan’s volcanic autumn forests, every frame of this journey is a wallpaper-worthy masterpiece! Seize the autumn colors and set off now!