Ultimate Autumn Guide to Hulunbuir and Arxan

Autumn in Northern Xinjiang is absolutely breathtaking! With golden grasslands and forests bathed in sunset hues, the 20-day golden viewing period is a must-see. Don’t miss it—here’s a detailed guide to help you plan your trip! ✅ 🍁 Best Time to Visit ⏰ September 15 to October 5! The Hulunbuir Grasslands turn golden first, followed by the birch forests of Arxan. If you’re lucky, you might even catch the rare sight of early snow and golden leaves together. 🚗 Transportation Tips ✈ Major Transportation: Fly into Hailar Dongshan Airport (more flight options) or Arxan Yiershi Airport. 🚘 Local Travel: Opt for a private car or small group tour! Signal is weak in the grasslands, and experienced drivers know the routes and can take you to hidden photo spots. Stop anytime along scenic routes like the Kaxian Highway and Moa Highway. 🚌 Arxan Scenic Area requires a 275 RMB ticket, which includes transportation. Sightseeing buses stop running at 5 PM, so plan your transfers accordingly. 📅 Suggested Itinerary 👉 Day 1: Hailar → Morigele River → Grassland Exploration → Erguna Wetland → Birch Forest → Enhe 👉 Day 2: Enhe → Charming Town of Shiwei → Kaxian Highway → Ulan Mountain Scenic Area → Wuka → Heishantou 👉 Day 3: Heishantou → Border Highway → 186 Ribbon River → Visit a Herdsman’s Home → National Gate/Matryoshka Square → Manzhouli 👉 Day 4: Manzhouli → Hulun Lake → Rose Peak → Dongyang Railway Station → Bailang Peak → Arxan 👉 Day 5: Arxan → Arxan National Forest Park (Heavenly Lake/Stone Forest/Dujuan Lake/Santan Gorge, etc.) 👉 Day 6: Arxan National Forest Park → Zhangzi Pine Scenic Avenue → Qixian Lake Grassland → Hailar 🏡 Accommodation Recommendations 🔶 Enhe: Stay in Russian-style wooden cabins with a soothing pine scent, perfect for photos. 🔶 Heishantou: Choose yurts with private bathrooms for a romantic night under the Milky Way. 🔶 Arxan: Stay near the scenic area for easy access to sunrise photography. Book a month in advance during peak season to avoid skyrocketing prices. 😋 Must-Try Foods 🍖 Mongolian Cuisine: Hand-pulled lamb with chive flower sauce, freshly grilled lamb ribs paired with Hailar beer. 🥘 Arxan Specialties: Boiled lamb cooked with spring water, so tender it melts in your mouth. 🍰 Russian Flavors: Try the borscht and beef patties at Zoya Restaurant in Enhe. ⚠️ Portions are large—one dish is enough for two people! 🎒 Travel Essentials 🧥 Clothing: Windbreaker + light down jacket + long-sleeve T-shirt (day-night temperature difference exceeds 15°C, early mornings and evenings can drop to -3°C). Bright-colored outfits are perfect for photos. 👒 Accessories: Windproof hat, sunglasses, hand warmers, thermos, and a wide-angle lens for forest photography. 💊 Medications: Bring stomach medicine (for lamb and beef dishes) and cold medicine. ⚠️ Tips to Avoid Pitfalls 1. Smoking is strictly prohibited in forest areas due to fire prevention. Avoid pointing at sacred cairns (Aobao) to respect local customs. 2. Food inside scenic areas is expensive—bring snacks and water. 3. Be cautious on the Moa Highway, as some sections are gravel roads. Prepare anti-skid chains for rainy days. 4. Don’t pull deer antlers when feeding them, and always ask herders for permission before taking photos. The fleeting golden autumn won’t wait—grab this guide and set off to capture the golden fairytale of Northern Xinjiang in your photo album!