Trip to Changchun, Manzhouli, and Lake Baikal: Manzhouli

(Continued) When leaving the scenic area, the brilliant sunset was burning the sky like flames. I passed through the Sino-Russian mutual trade zone filled with goods and left the border gate scenic area, heading to the nearby Matryoshka Doll Scenic Area. Arriving at the Matryoshka Doll Scenic Area, the lights were already on. Under the dazzling illumination, the area looked even more magnificent than during the day: buildings of various shapes and exotic styles shimmered and glowed in the velvet-like night; summer flowers surrounded the stunning architecture; the Ferris wheel continuously changed colors and patterns; the giant Matryoshka dolls smiled warmly at the visitors from afar, and the whole area was immersed in a sea of joy. At that moment, a slightly cool evening breeze blew, flowers whispered softly, and grass hummed gently, as if a group of spirits were singing a beautiful nocturne for the night visitors. A day’s journey ended in this dreamlike night. Besides the usual attractions like the grasslands, Hulun Lake, the border gate scenic area, and the Matryoshka Doll Scenic Area, the Wedding Palace in the city is a niche spot. Located in the Dongshan Botanical Garden of Manzhouli, it is a beautiful Gothic-style building. The red and white exterior and the spires pointing to the sky make this exotic church a must-visit spot for tourists to take photos and check in. Additionally, the night scene of the Sino-Soviet Golden Street is another spectacle. Under the lights, the entire Golden Street looks splendid and magnificent, especially with merchants enthusiastically putting on creative displays to attract tourists and shoppers. At this time, Golden Street transforms into a gorgeous old border street, making visitors feel like they are attending a grand party, reluctant to leave and wanting more. However, for me, I still felt some regret for passing by Hulun Lake without entering, so I decided to use the last afternoon before leaving to visit Shuammazhuang and Golden Coast to see Hulun Lake again. Since Hulun Lake is vast, stretching nearly a hundred kilometers from east to west, besides the small river mouth viewing spot missed earlier, both Shuammazhuang and Golden Coast offer views of Hulun Lake. Moreover, these two viewing spots are currently free of charge. These places are sparsely populated, with purer scenery, making them better for sightseeing. Unfortunately, on the morning I set out, it started drizzling again. But to avoid leaving regrets, I decided to stick to the plan. Feeling the prairie wind, getting wet in the prairie rain, and seeing Hulun Lake in the rain might bring a different kind of beauty, who knows? Shuammazhuang and Golden Coast are located southwest of Manzhouli in the New Barag Right Banner, about 110 kilometers from the city. We left the city and headed west along the "Most Beautiful National Highway 331." The scenery outside the window lived up to its reputation: endless green grass, herds of cattle and sheep, and huge wind turbines standing like giant windmills at varying distances. At this time, the low-hanging clouds and dense rain added a touch of ethereal poetic charm to the grassland. After passing a grassland sumu, we first arrived at Genghis Khan’s Shuammazhuang, where a tall stone statue of Genghis Khan stood at the entrance. The heroic figure on horseback looked powerfully into the distance. Legend has it that Genghis Khan once trained troops and tied his steed here, hence the name Shuammazhuang. A few miles further from the Shuammazhuang entrance is the river mouth viewing spot, but unfortunately, when we stopped at the entrance, we saw a notice saying the road ahead was closed again, blocking our way forward. I calmly got out of the car, thinking I might as well take a photo of this Mongolian hero, so the trip wouldn’t be in vain. Just as I stepped out, the rain suddenly stopped, a gust of wind blew, and the previously dense clouds scattered like light smoke, revealing the blue sky behind. At that moment, the grassland looked like a brocade. A wide gap opened in the clouds, and a golden ray of sunlight poured down, casting on the grassland. The golden rays looked like golden snakes slithering over the rolling hills not far away. I instantly felt like I was in a fairyland, very happy, and couldn’t help but raise my hand to wave at the sun. At that moment, I suddenly realized a truth: beautiful scenery is sometimes reserved for the brave; only those who are unafraid of wind and rain can see different views. The sky cleared completely afterward. Our car followed the prairie road chasing the sunlight and soon reached the Golden Coast in New Barag Right Banner. The weather was sunny and breezy, and the vast Hulun Lake suddenly appeared before us. I stood there—with the boundless Hulun Lake on my left and the vast grassland on my right, I truly felt like I had reached the edge of the land. A group of plump, lazy waterfowl floated on the water sleeping. I took out the bread my friends had left me the day before, tore it into pieces, and threw it into the lake. At that moment, the previously lazy waterfowl immediately flapped their wings and flew around me like winter snow or spring blossoms falling. I couldn’t help but feel like a pure child again. On the way back, we stopped briefly at a station in New Barag Right Banner. Looking out at the distant grassland, though reluctant to leave, I had no regrets because I was free, and Hulun Lake and the grassland were free too. The Manzhouli trip lets us slow down and relive those light and pure feelings without distractions. Finally, here is the Manzhouli travel itinerary summary: Day 1: Arrive at Manzhouli Railway Station, visit Russian residential ruins, arrive at Sino-Soviet Golden Street, night tour of Beihu Park and Golden Street Day 2: Enjoy the scenery along the Erguna River, visit Morigele River (ticket required), Chen Barhu Mongolian Tribe (optional), Manzhouli Transnational Wetland Park (speedboat fee) Day 3: Hulun Lake Small River Mouth Scenic Area (ticket required/optional), Dalainor District Government, Dalainor Museum (free), Mammoth Park (ticket required), Matryoshka Doll Scenic Area (ticket required) Day 4: City sightseeing, Wedding Palace, Shuammazhuang or Golden Coast (temporarily free)