Arxan is truly a forest fairy tale

How can you not visit Arxan when you come to Inner Mongolia in autumn❗️❗️ It’s like a fairy tale forest with a filter on, driving yourself means no entrance fee and you can shoot oil painting-level photos worth millions. Here’s a free self-driving one-day tour guide for the scenic spots ⬇️ 🎬 Time: Photos taken on September 27, 2024. Many leaves had already fallen, so the best time to visit is suggested between September 24 and October 5. Last year during National Day there was snow, so you can see snowy scenes (for reference only). 🎫 Tickets: If you drive to the entrance and tell the staff you’re going to Chaihe, they will give you a pass without a ticket (seems to be closed now, you can say you’re going to stay near Tianchi), saving you 💰285. 🏠 Accommodation: We stayed in Arxan city, which is a bit better than Arxan itself and cheaper than the scenic area. If you’re not interested in the morning mist at Wusulangzi Lake, you can choose to stay in the city. Depart at 8:30 AM the next day, and it’s about a 1-hour drive to Arxan Forest Park. 🧭 Route: The whole trip takes about 8+ hours. Inside the scenic area (navigation points reference): Azalea Lake - Turtle Back Rock - (turn vehicle around) - Haraha River Source - Tianchi Service Area - Wusulangzi Lake - Unfrozen River - Exit scenic area 🍚 Food: You can navigate to Tianchi Service Area. Within a one-kilometer radius, there are many mountain villas for meals, convenience stores, or you can bring your own food. Options for all budgets. There will be many coffee trucks along the way. 📸【Free Legendary Photo Spots Sharing】 ✔️ p1–p4, navigate to Tianchi Resort Hotel. From the entrance, turn left to overlook the Unfrozen River and the scenery opposite from the slope. You can also go down to the riverbank for photos. ✔️ p4, p5, navigate to Haraha River Source. On the way, you’ll pass a blue house on the left at a curve, where you can overlook the S-shaped bend. ✔️ p6–p8, near the blue house, just across the road. There are many cows, you can see the river, and opposite is a birch forest. ✔️ p11–p13, navigate to Wusulangzi Lake Boat Dock. Cross the roadside guardrail and walk down to get this spot. The light at 4–5 PM is amazing. ✔️ p14, p15, navigate to Azalea Lake. This spot charges an entrance fee, but the free route can be accessed by walking right along the road from the exit of the scenic spot (you can follow others). The path is quite difficult, but the scenery is worth it. 🚨 Notes: ▫️ Parking near popular photo spots is difficult; park farther away and walk. ▫️ Bring a windbreaker; temperature difference is large and easy to put on and take off. ▫️ Toilets are hard to find in the scenic area, which is a poor experience. Restaurants and hotels won’t let you use their restrooms without purchasing. Toilets are available at Tianchi Service Area and paid scenic spot entrances. If not, you have to go to the scenic area entrance to use the restroom. Don’t drive out with the car; just go out on foot.