Day 1: Anywhere → or → Harbin ★Gathering Day
All day
On the day of the full-day activity, you will travel to Harbin on your own. Upon arrival at the hotel, you will need to provide your "China-Travel Note + Name" to check in. Early arrivals will have the entire day free to move around.
Urban transportation:
The airport is about 35km from the city center. You can take the airport bus or taxi to the meeting hotel (24-hour taxi service, safe and secure)
Recommended travel:
1. St. Sophia Cathedral - Central Avenue - Flood Control Memorial Tower - Internet-famous Laojiang Bridge (Middle East Railway Bridge) - Chinese Baroque Street - Siberian Tiger Park
2. Volga Manor - Unit 731 Museum Reservation
Food recommendations:
A Western food: Madiel Russian Restaurant, Huamei Russian Restaurant (I personally think Portman Western Restaurant has a good environment and taste)
B Chinese food: Zhang Bao Pu, Zhang Fei Braised Pork, Xuefu Yipin Braised Pork Ribs (near Erdao Street), Xijiade Dumplings
C Others: Grilled cold noodles, Madier popsicles, Harbin red sausage (Qiulin or Harbin Roulian, children's sausage is suitable for the taste of southerners), kvass beer, etc.
Day 2 Harbin → Zhalong Wetland → Zhalantun or Ulanhot
·morning
We set off after breakfast. With the enthusiastic interaction of the tour guide and the team leader, tourists from all over the world quickly became familiar with each other.
·afternoon
In the afternoon, we arrived at the Zhalong Nature Reserve, home to the world's largest red-crowned crane reserve and a renowned ecological wetland listed by China National Geographic. Strolling along the reserve's wooden plank paths amidst the gentle breeze and swaying reeds creates a lighthearted feeling of "free and unrestrained." Arriving at the viewing platform coincided with the daily crane release performance (usually at 2:00 PM), the graceful dance of the cranes captivating us. After the tour, we checked into our hotel and rested. We then continued on to Zhalantun, a small town on the edge of the Greater Khingan Range.
Kind tips:
1. Due to the construction and maintenance closure of the Mo'a Highway (Moguqi-Chaihe Town-Arxan Scenic Area Chaiheyuan Entrance Section) on Day 3, if the Mo'a Highway is still closed to traffic, we will adjust to Ulanhot tonight to check in.
Day 3 Zhalantun or Ulanhot → Arxan Forest Park (full day, stay in the scenic area)
All day
We'll set off early and drive along the Mo'an Highway, enjoying the idyllic landscape of fields, rivers, forests, and hills. Arrshan National Forest Park will arrive in the afternoon. Autumn in Arxan is a vibrant spectacle! We'll first head to Tuofengling Tianchi. Arxan is a remnant of the Greater Khingan Range. Volcanic eruptions tens of thousands of years ago formed hundreds of large and small Tianchi, with this one being the largest. From this vantage point, we'll overlook Tuofengling Tianchi, surrounded by golden trees. Tonight, China-TravelNote has arranged a stay in Arxan Forest Park, giving us ample time to explore the scenic area, admire the sunrise and sunset, and at night, the dazzling starry sky. City dwellers will be amazed by the vast starry sky right from their doorstep.
Kind tips:
1. Due to the current closure of the Mo'a Highway (the section from Mushiqi to Chaihe Town to the Chaiheyuan entrance of the Arxan Scenic Area) for construction and maintenance, if the Mo'a Highway is still blocked for your group, we will adjust the route to enter the Arxan Scenic Area from the direction of Ulanhot.
2. In order to allow tourists to have more time to enjoy the scenic area, we will stay in the scenic area tonight. However, the infrastructure of the scenic area is relatively backward and the accommodation conditions are limited. Please understand!
Day 4 Arxan National Forest Park → Nuogan Lake Scenic Area
·morning
After breakfast, continue to visit the scenic area and head to [Dujuan Lake] first. Dujuan Lake is the largest volcanic lake in the forest area. The rocky volcanic lava columns are threatening to burst out, and the azure water reflects the birch forest by the lake. The mottled autumn colors are like a colorful European oil painting with heavy brushstrokes.
Afterwards, we'll visit Arxan Tianchi, China's third-highest lake. Its depth remains unfathomable, with neither entrance nor exit, its surface never falling or overflowing. Its pristine waters resemble a glittering sapphire set atop towering peaks. Finally, we'll visit the Budong River, where autumn brings a touch of poetic beauty. The winding river flows through vibrantly colored forests, and sunlight filters through the branches, casting a shimmering light on the water.
·afternoon
After enjoying our fun, we'll head to the Hulunbuir Grasslands to discover a hidden gem (Nuogan Lake). Nestled between the vast expanse of Honghuaerji's pristine Scots pine forest and the vast Barhu Grassland, Nuogan Lake retains much of its pristine natural beauty. Its diverse landscapes, encompassing forests, grasslands, lakes, wetlands, and hills, create a layered beauty, earning it the nickname "Hulunbuir in miniature." After checking in, China-TravelNote will be free to explore this hidden gem of a grassland.
Day 5 Nuogan Lake Scenic Area → New Barag Grassland → Ergun Wetland → Birch Forest → Enhe
·morning
After breakfast, we'll set off by car across the vast Xinbarhu Grassland, part of the Hulunbuir Grassland. In autumn, the grasslands are piled high with harvested haystacks, and the herders are busy transitioning to new pastures before winter. We'll stop and go along the way, enjoying the beautiful scenery.
·afternoon
We'll then head to the Erguna Wetland Scenic Area, part of the Hulunbuir region's agricultural landscape. Wheat fields, haystacks, and grass rolls form distinctive lines. Climb up and gaze out from the horizon, caressed by the gentle breeze, and the autumn scenery is captivating. Afterward, we'll visit the Birch Forest Scenic Area, where towering birch trees, layered in layers and covered in golden autumn leaves, create a uniquely charming walk along the forest path. For those who love beauty, be sure to bring a stylish dress for photos! Within the birch forest, there's also a reindeer park where tourists can get up close and personal with the adorable reindeer.
Tonight we will stay in Enhe Russian Ethnic Township and experience the local characteristic wooden inn. The wooden inn is a pure wooden structure that can be built without a single nail. It has a solid structure and is warm in winter and cool in summer.
Afterwards, you will have free time to explore this isolated town, walk into the fragrant leba house, sit in the Vladimir Tavern, check in at the Russian wooden church or write a postcard at the post office. When night falls, you can also look for the unique Russian country cuisine in the town.
Day 6: Enhe → Kazakh Highway → Wulan Mountain → Heishantou (horse riding) → Hailar
·morning
After breakfast, we'll depart and continue along the breathtakingly beautiful Sino-Russian Border Highway (Ka Line Highway). Named for the border outposts along the route, Ka Line captures the uninhabited landscape of the border. Enjoy the scenery as you walk and explore, gazing at the exotic scenery on the other side. In the morning, we'll arrive at the Wulan Mountain Scenic Area. We'll ascend the observation deck to overlook the "natural Tai Chi diagram" at the center of the Ergun River. We can also enjoy the popular swings, zip lines, and grass skiing at our own expense. After enjoying our adventures, we'll continue along the Ka Line Highway.
Road conditions: (updated on August 19)
Due to road closures and construction, the originally planned Ka Line Highway (Enhe-Heishantou) will be inaccessible from August 22nd to September 30th, and the Wulan Mountain Scenic Area will also be unavailable. Alternatively, a detour via Ergun City will be arranged, featuring the same off-road vehicle experience as the Premium Route, through the Secret Grassland. This area, where grassland and forest meet, boasts graceful hills and meadows, vast expanses of wild birch forest, and extensive farmland.
·afternoon
Arrive at noon for an exciting horseback riding experience at Heishantou Grassland Ranch (at your own expense). Located at the confluence of the Genhe Wetland and the Ergun River, this area boasts lush grass and water. Under the guidance of your horseman, don a professional knight's hat and mount a majestic steed. Embark on a journey through the grasslands, overlooking the herds of cattle, horses, and sheep, and immerse yourself in the beauty of nature.
After having fun, we took the bus back and arrived in Hailar city in the evening to check in.
Kind tips:
Tourists who don't want to ride horses can try other activities such as go-karts and ATVs, or take beautiful photos on the grassland.
Early departure instructions:
Arrives in Hailar around 6:30 PM. Train information (see bus number 12306 for specific times): Hailar-Harbin K928 (9:30 PM - 7:37 AM), K7092 (9:45 PM - 7:45 AM), K7090 (11:15 PM - 9:05 AM).
Note: Please note "Not staying in Hailar" when placing an order. Accommodation fee can be refunded if 2 people share a room.
Day 7 Hyrule★All Day Disbandment Day
All day
After waking up naturally in the morning, China-TravelNote allows you to return home at your own leisure. If you have more time, you can also explore the Morigele River, Manchuria, and other places on your own.
Tips for returning:
1. Hailar Airplane: There are many flights to the mainland (some domestic cities have direct flights);
2. Hailar Train: There are many trains to Harbin, Changchun and Shenyang, so you can transfer or travel to these areas (air tickets are relatively cheap).
Recommended for self-guided tours:
Surroundings: Hulunbuir History Museum - Hulunbuir Ancient City - Morigele River - World Anti-Fascist Memorial Hall
Manzhouli: Manzhouli National Gate - Matryoshka Doll Scenic Area - Mammoth Park - Tsarist Prison Exhibition Hall - Wedding Palace - Russian Art Village
ps: Manzhouli Airport also has some direct flights to Harbin/Beijing and other places, and the railway station has some flights to Harbin (Manzhouli-Hailar-Harbin).
