Golden Grasslands and Forests: The Perfect Pairing of Hulunbuir and Arxan

Autumn in Hulunbuir and Arxan is like stepping into a fairy tale! Golden haystacks resemble castles, and the forests are painted in caramel hues. This comprehensive guide will help you avoid pitfalls and enjoy a hassle-free trip. 🧳 Essential Packing List 👗 Clothing: With a day-night temperature difference of over 15°C, bring a windbreaker, lightweight down jacket, and thermal underwear. A caramel-colored dress is perfect for stunning photos. 👓 Gear: Waterproof high-top shoes (essential for rocky paths), sunglasses, sunscreen (strong UV rays), a thermos, and hand warmers are must-haves. 🛒 Others: Power bank, raincoat (more practical than an umbrella), essential medications, and a camera with a wide-angle lens for breathtaking lake views. 📅 Itinerary 👉 Day 1: Hailar → Morigele River → Grasslands → Ergun Wetland → Birch Forest → Enhe 👉 Day 2: Enhe → Charming Town of Shiwei → Kaxian → Ulan Mountain Scenic Area → Wuka → Heishantou 👉 Day 3: Heishantou → Border Road → 186 Ribbon River → Visit a Herding Family → 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 (Heavenly Lake/Stone Forest/Dujuan Lake/Santan Gorge, etc.) 👉 Day 6: Arxan National Forest Park → Zhangzi Pine Scenic Avenue → Qixian Lake Grasslands → Hailar 🚥 Transportation Guide ✈ Major Transportation: Direct flights to Hailar Airport are more convenient, or fly to Arxan Yiershi Airport for closer access to scenic spots. 🚗 Local Transportation: Highly recommend hiring a car! Drivers are like living maps and can take you to lesser-known viewing spots. New drivers should avoid rocky roads. 🚍 Scenic Area Transportation: Purchase the sightseeing bus ticket for Arxan National Forest Park (105 RMB, valid for two days). Keep your ticket safe. 🏨 Accommodation Recommendations ✅ Hailar: Choose a hotel in the city center for convenient transportation and easy trip planning. ✅ Manzhouli: Opt for a star-rated hotel to enjoy Russian-style night views and an exotic atmosphere. ✅ Arxan: Stay in a guesthouse near the scenic area for forest views right outside your window. Early risers can catch the morning mist at Tuofengling Heavenly Lake. ✅ Heishantou: Experience a starry night in a Mongolian yurt and join a bonfire party in the evening. 🍱 Must-Try Foods 🍰 Manzhouli: Red beet soup and skewers at Russian-style restaurants—aromatic meat fills the streets. 🥘 Arxan: Forest specialties like wild vegetables stewed with free-range chicken—unbelievably fresh. 🍖 Grassland Exclusives: Hand-grabbed lamb and roasted lamb leg, paired with milk tea to balance the richness. Those with sensitive stomachs should try small portions first. ⚠️ Important Tips 1. The best time to visit is mid-September to before National Day. After the holiday, leaves fall, and snow may arrive. 2. Arxan Heavenly Lake has many steps; elderly and children should proceed cautiously. Wear non-slip shoes for trails. 3. Grassland signal is unstable; download offline maps and carry some cash. 4. Visiting herding families to wear Mongolian robes and feed reindeer is incredibly healing. Ask your driver to help capture stunning photos.