Hulunbuir 6 days and 5 nights of eating, drinking, and having fun
Considering we had kids with us, the route was quite conventional. We rented two cars, one for women and children, and one for men. This arrangement was very appropriate, reducing the nagging from dads in the car and significantly decreasing the arguments during the trip.
About food
When you come to the grasslands, naturally, you have to eat plenty of beef and lamb. On the first day in Hailar, we checked out Jiumuyang. The fresh beef and lamb were indeed delicious, and the key was that it was very cost-effective. The store's secret sesame sauce was absolutely amazing. Four adults and two children ate for less than 500 yuan and were stuffed.
On the second day, the guide went to the market to buy lamb, cut it into cubes, and made lamb skewers for us to have an outdoor barbecue on the vast grassland. Who can understand the joy of outdoor activities under the blue sky and white clouds, with tents, beer, and grilled lamb skewers? It's a carefree life.
In Manzhouli, we had breakfast at the popular Wulijitala, which included pot tea, milk buns, shumai, and buns. It was good to try, but indeed, the breakfast of ethnic minorities is quite hardcore.
The meals on the grassland in the following days were nothing special. We ordered shredded potatoes and stir-fried three shreds to satisfy the children's needs at every meal. For the last meal before returning, we had iron pot stew (at Xuexiang Village in Hailar). If you have enough time, it's worth a try.
Of course, during our time on the grassland, we ate plenty of milk, yogurt, and ice cream without any disappointments.
About fun
The itinerary revolved around the grassland, with endless green and cattle and sheep everywhere. For those who love taking photos, it's like a mouse falling into a rice jar—go wild.
Horse riding, go-karting, grass sliding, feeding lambs, and holding lambs are all worth experiencing. As for making Leba and painting Matryoshka dolls, it's not really necessary.
We spent one night in a yurt, with a whole lamb roasting ceremony and a bonfire party. I have to say, ethnic minorities really know how to have fun. Late at night, regardless of age or gender, everyone followed the host's lead under the starry sky, dancing together. It was well-organized and highly recommended, especially memorable for the kids.
The whole trip was non-stop excitement, including the horse dance at the Barhu Mongolian tribe. The sight of thousands of horses galloping was truly shocking, and the equestrian performances showcased the bravery and courage of the horseback nation. Highly praised.
As for the Matryoshka doll hotel, it's hard to evaluate. It's a large shopping mall combined with an amusement park. You can go, but it's not a must.
About accommodation
During the peak season, grassland hotels are quite expensive since they only operate for a few months a year. Don't expect too much from the hotels. A hotel with an average price of 1500 yuan per night is roughly equivalent to a 200 yuan guesthouse in a small county. I brought half a suitcase of disposable four-piece sets and disposable bath towels to cope. The Kexeniya B&B in Shiwei was particularly liked by the kids, with a loft-style room suitable for playing hide and seek. The breakfasts at these hotels were very basic: a bowl of porridge, a hard bun, and an egg—very simple but sufficient.
We also experienced a dry toilet on the grassland, which was unforgettable.
The charm of the grassland lies in making you forget the time and the hustle and bustle of work, immersing yourself completely in nature. It's extremely comfortable and definitely worth taking the kids to experience a completely different culture and customs.