6 Days 5 Nights in Hulunbuir: Embrace the Grasslands and Starry Skies
After spending too much time in the city, I always yearn for a place to completely unwind. This time, I chose Hulunbuir—a place with vast grasslands, herds of cattle and sheep, clear lakes, and starry skies within reach. A six-day, five-night journey with no tight schedule, just time to slow down.
Day 1: Arrival in Hailar, First Encounter with Grassland Charm
Upon landing in Hailar, I was greeted by fresh air and a cool breeze. I checked into a traditional Mongolian yurt by the grasslands. During an evening stroll, I encountered herders driving their sheep home, and the sunset turned the grasslands golden. At that moment, my heart suddenly calmed down.
Day 2: Horseback Riding by the Morigele River
After breakfast, we drove to the Morigele River, known as the "First Bend of the World" in Lao She’s writings. We rode horses along the river, feeling the wind whispering in our ears. In the afternoon, I lay on the grass, daydreaming as the clouds drifted by, and time seemed to stretch.
Day 3: Visiting Erguna, Discovering the Birch Forest
Heading north, we arrived in Erguna. The birch forest here is like a fairy tale world, with sunlight filtering through the leaves, casting dappled shadows. In the evening, we climbed the wetland observation deck to watch the sunset bathe the entire wetland in a golden glow, as beautiful as a painting.
Day 4: Sunset at Heishantou, Date with the Starry Sky
The sunset at Heishantou was the highlight of the trip. We rode horses or hiked up the mountain, waiting for the sun to slowly sink below the horizon. At night, we stayed at a grassland camp, sitting around a bonfire, gazing up at the brilliant Milky Way, feeling as if we could reach out and touch the stars.
Day 5: Manzhouli, A Taste of Exoticism
We headed to Manzhouli, a border town with a strong Russian influence. Strolling through the streets, the colorful onion-domed buildings made me feel like I was in Europe. In the evening, we took photos at Matryoshka Square and enjoyed a Russian dinner, letting our taste buds join the journey.
Day 6: Return, Bringing the Grassland Breeze Home
On the last day, I leisurely sipped a bowl of milk tea, bidding farewell to the grasslands. On the flight home, I looked through photos of blue skies, green grass, and smiling faces, realizing that this trip healed not just my eyes, but also my weary heart.
Travel Tips:
Best Season: June-August (greenest grass), September (stunning autumn scenery)
Clothing Advice: Large temperature differences between day and night, bring a jacket and sun protection gear
Must-Experience: Horseback riding, staying in a yurt, stargazing, eating hand-held meat
This Hulunbuir trip had no rush, just time to unwind. If you also want to escape the city for a while, come here and let the grassland breeze blow away all your worries.