Hulunbuir's 22°C Summer | 5-Day 4-Night Grassland + Forest + Exotic Experience

| Escape the scorching heat! Step into a 250,000-square-kilometer cool paradise! Endless green carpets, herds of cattle and sheep, winding rivers, primeval forests, exotic border towns... Summer in Hulunbuir is synonymous with freedom and coolness. Budget-friendly, ideal for self-driving/chartered cars—save this guide now! 📍 Itinerary Overview ● Theme: Grassland galloping + Forest exploration + Russian-Mongolian culture + Horseback riding & archery + Starry skies ● Duration: 5 days 4 nights (The vast grassland requires at least 5 days to experience its essence) ● Budget: Approx. ¥2,500 - ¥3,500/person (includes meals, accommodation, transport, and tickets; flexible based on preferences) ✦ Best Season: ✦ Peak: Mid-June to mid-August. July is the most beautiful! 🌿 Lush grass, 🌼 wildflowers in full bloom, ☀️ most comfortable temperatures (20-28°C daytime, 10-15°C nighttime). ✦ Avoid: Grass turns yellow after September; snow possible after National Day. 🚗 Transport Guide (Highly recommend chartered/self-driving!) 1. Major Transport: ✦ Flight: Arrive at ✈ Hailar Dongshan Airport (HLD). Most cities require transfers via Hohhot/Beijing/Harbin. The airport is close to downtown. ✦ Train: Arrive at Hailar Station. Direct trains from Harbin/Shenyang/Beijing; suitable for those with ample time. 2. Local Transport (Key!): ✦ 🚗 Chartered car (with driver): Strongly recommended! Top choice! Local drivers know the roads, hidden spots, and can help book accommodations (Standard SUV: ~¥600-800/day, includes fuel and driver). ✦ 🚙 Self-driving: Suitable for experienced drivers. Roads are generally good, but some border roads/dirt paths can be challenging. Book early! ✦ 🚌 Group tour bus: Low flexibility, poor experience—not recommended. ✦ Local buses: Only within cities; no public transport between attractions. 🏡 Accommodation Recommendations (Diverse experiences) ● Hailar / Manzhouli: Comfortable urban options. Wide hotel selection with good facilities. Ideal for first/last night. ✦ E.g.: 4-star hotels, boutique hotels (Price: ¥300 - ¥600/night). ✦ Enhe / Shiwei / Linjiang: Russian-style wooden houses! Stay in colorful Russian-style lodges for an exotic vibe. Mostly homestays. ✦ E.g.: Unique wooden homestays (Price: ¥200 - ¥500/night). ● Heishantou: Grassland yurts! Immersive grassland stay with starry nights. Conditions vary; choose brick yurts or premium ones. ✦ E.g.: Modern brick yurts, stargazing yurts (Price: ¥300 - ¥800+/night). ● Inside Arxan National Forest Park: Convenient for next-day exploration. Mostly forest-themed hotels/guesthouses (Basic conditions, ¥250 - ¥500/night). 📍 Core Itinerary (Classic North Loop, 5 days 4 nights) Day 1: First Impressions of the Grassland, Gather in Hailar ● All day: Arrive in Hailar, pick up car/contact chartered driver. Buy snacks/water (few rest stops en route). ● Afternoon: ✦ Visit World Anti-Fascist War Hailar Memorial Park (Underground tunnels are impressive; optional). ✦ Explore 🐂 Genghis Khan Square, feel the roots of Mongol culture. ● Dinner: Try authentic 🐑 Mongolian cuisine in Hailar—hand-grabbed meat, milk tea, Buryat dumplings, blood sausage. ● Stay: Hailar city hotel. Day 2: Cross the Moergen River, Visit Russian Villages ● Morning (Highlight): Deep into the Moergen River Grassland ✦ Highlights: "The First Bend Under Heaven!" Head to 🌄 Cliff/Muyun Mountain (best viewpoint) for winding rivers and herds. ✦ Note: Some paths require off-road vehicles/local guides (standard SUVs can take regular roads to viewpoints). ● Lunch: Simple meal en route or in Ergun city. ● Afternoon: ✦ Hike Ergun Wetland (Asia's largest wetland): Panoramic views (Ticket + shuttle: ¥65). ✦ Drive to 🏡 Enhe Russian Ethnic Village. Pass sunflower fields (Peak in July!). ● Evening: Stroll Enhe, bike, try 🪆 bread-making/painting matryoshka dolls. ✦ Dinner & Stay: Enhe wooden homestay, Russian home-style dishes. Day 3: Border Scenery, Horseback Riding in Heishantou ● Morning: ✦ Depart Enhe, pass 🎨 Shiwei Port (view Russian villages). ✦ Drive the stunning border road (Ka Line): Qika - Jiuka - Heishantou. Stop for photos! ● Lunch: Small towns or Heishantou. ● Afternoon (Highlight): 🐎 Horseback riding & Sunset Hill ✦ Ride: Choose licensed ranches with gear (1-2 hours, ¥200-300/person). ✦ Sunset Hill: Drive/hike up for breathtaking wetland views. ● Dinner: Heishantou roasted lamb (best for groups). ● Stay: Heishantou yurt (starry skies ✨). Day 4: Bustling Border City, Nighttime Manzhouli ● Morning: Head to 🎪 186 Ribbon River: Longest grassland slide (¥100), wetland views. ● Noon: Stop at 🐫 Hulieyetu/Zhalainuoer, visit Mammoth Park (optional). ● Afternoon: Arrive 🏰 Manzhouli! ✦ Visit China-Russia Border Gate (Ticket: ¥128): See the iconic gate. ✦ Explore Matryoshka Square (Free exterior; paid amusement park). ● Evening (Highlight): Manzhouli’s dazzling lights—like a fairy tale! ● Dinner: Lublinskiy (Russian cuisine; queue early) or local Mongol food. ● Stay: Manzhouli city hotel. Day 5: Return to Hailar, Farewell to the Grassland ● Morning: ✦ Free time in Manzhouli: Buy 🛍️ Russian/Mongol souvenirs (dolls, chocolate, vodka, dairy, beef jerky). ✦ Or detour to 🌊 Hulun Lake (Zhalainuoer): "Lake like the sea" (View from afar or enter: ¥40). ● Afternoon: Drive back to Hailar via Suiman Highway/G301, transfer to airport/station. 💰 Budget Estimate (Per person, 4 sharing a car) ● Transport: Chartered car (5 days) ≈ ¥750-1,000 ● Stay: ¥300/night × 4 = ¥1,200 (mid-range) ● Meals: ¥100/day × 5 = ¥500 ● Tickets: Ergun Wetland ¥65 + 186 Ribbon River slide ¥100 + Border Gate (optional) ¥128 ≈ ¥293 ● Activities: Horseback ¥200 + Bread-making ¥50 ≈ ¥250 ● Total: ~¥2,993 (Mid-range; can be lower by skipping activities). 📌 Travel Tips (Crucial!) 1. Transport is key: Book chartered/self-drive 1-2 months early! Confirm driver’s knowledge of off-road routes. 2. Sun & bug & warmth protection: ☀️ Strong UV! Hats, sunglasses, SPF50+ sunscreen. 🦟 Mosquitoes! Heavy in July—DEET spray, nets, long sleeves. 🧥 Cold nights! Down jacket/windbreaker essential. 3. Book stays early: July is peak! Enhe, Heishantou yurts, Manzhouli hotels need 1-2 months’ notice. 4. Horse safety: Use insured ranches, wear gear, follow guides. 5. Border rules: On Ka Line, use flight mode to avoid Russian signals. No drones near borders. 6. Respect customs: Don’t step on yurt thresholds; toast politely. Avoid disturbing livestock. 7. Manage expectations: Scenery depends on weather. Some spots are touristy. 8. Cash: Needed in remote areas/for activities. ✨ Hulunbuir’s summer is boundless green, cotton-candy clouds, and 24/7 cool freedom. In 5 days, race across endless grasslands, sleep under stars, savor fresh lamb, and let 22°C breezes banish the heat! 🌾🐎✨