Day 1 Anywhere → or → Harbin → Mohe
All day
Today is our departure day. Arrive in Harbin early to explore the surrounding attractions and explore some Northeastern cuisine. In the afternoon, head to Harbin Railway Station and board the Mohe train around 4:00 PM (subject to your tour leader's instructions for the exact timeframe). Continue north into the Greater Khingan Range.
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)
Outbound train instructions:
1. Today is the departure day. We recommend that you arrive in Harbin one day in advance or choose a flight that lands in Harbin before 12:00 on the same day to avoid missing the train.
2. Harbin-Mohe train number: K7039/K7041. Specific boarding time and station are subject to final ticket issuance.
3. Due to the high tourist season, tickets for the Harbin-Mohe train are quite limited. Please wait patiently for the ticket to be issued (the latest notice will be given 2 hours before departure).
4. The itinerary includes a one-way hard sleeper train fare from Harbin to Mohe. Tickets are issued randomly based on the train schedule and berth. You cannot specify upper, middle, or lower berths, and soft sleeper accommodation cannot be arranged. Please understand!
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 Mohe → Arctic Village (Northernmost Journey)
·morning
Upon arrival in Mohe County, the driver will pick you up near the train station. Upon arrival at Arctic Village, you will first proceed to the hotel to check in and relax for a while.
·afternoon
In the afternoon, embark on a "North-Seeking Journey": Visit the Northernmost Outpost, the Northernmost Family, and the Arctic Sandbar Island, gazing at Russia's stunning natural scenery. Visit the Arctic Village Post Office, purchase a postcard, write a message, and send it to friends and family from China's far north. Visit the Arctic Village Supply and Marketing Cooperative, a reminder of the past.
We are staying in the Arctic Village tonight. The air in Daxinganling is clear and the visibility is high. At night, the stars are shining brightly, and the North Star is particularly bright.
Day 3 Arctic Village → Longjiang First Bay (Northernmost Point: Ussuri Shoal) → Mohe
·morning
After breakfast, we'll depart and walk along the Sino-Russian border highway to the Longjiang First Bend Observation Deck. Hike 998 steps to the Longjiang First Bend Observation Deck, where you'll overlook the winding Heilongjiang River, the Sino-Russian border, forming a dramatic curve. We'll then reach the Ussuri Shoal, the geographically designated "Northernmost Point of China." Only here can you truly "find your north." Don't forget to take a photo with the sign that reads 53°33'43" North Latitude, and share your location so your friends can envy us: We've reached the northernmost point of our country!
·afternoon
After your enjoyable tour, head to Mohe City. After checking into your hotel, enjoy some free time at your leisure. You can visit the county's landmark, Polaris Square, to take in the panoramic views of this northern frontier town, rebuilt after a devastating fire. Alternatively, visit the Mohe Ballroom and Songyuan Park. In the evening, explore the Mohe Market to experience the vibrant life and discover delicious local delicacies.
Day 4 Mohe → Mangui → Aoluguya Reindeer Park → Genhe
All day
After breakfast, we'll depart today, crossing the heart of the Greater Khingan Range and arriving in Hulunbuir. Stopping and starting along the way, we'll journey along the seemingly endless, straight forest road. In the afternoon, we'll arrive in Aoluguya Ewenki Township. The Ewenki are a hunting tribe in the Greater Khingan Range. Centuries ago, they migrated from the shores of Lake Baikal, using reindeer as their primary means of transportation. We'll then proceed to the Aoluguya Reindeer Park for a forest stroll, hand-feeding the adorable forest spirits, and taking photos with them.
Tonight we will stay in Genhe City in the heart of Daxinganling Mountains. It is the city with the lowest temperature in my country since meteorological records began and is known as the "Cold Pole". In the evening, you can invite friends to try the local specialty iron pot stew.
Important Note:
1. As we are crossing the Daxing'anling forest area today, the driving time is quite long. Please understand.
2. As the S204 road is under permafrost maintenance year-round (Genhe-Mangui section), if it is impassable due to construction, the itinerary will be adjusted to Genhe (alternative route: Mohe-Tahe-Genhe).
Day 5: Tiangen River → Mordaoga (Forest Train) → Enhe
·morning
Depart after breakfast and cross the hinterland of Daxing'anling Mountains. Arrive at Mordaoga National Forest Park in the morning. Take a small train decorated in a retro style (departs when there are 15 people or more) and travel through this cold temperate primeval forest, quietly admiring the golden beauty outside the window.
·afternoon
In the afternoon, we will arrive at a pure hilly meadow, where there are many birch forests scattered around. We will arrange a light hike here: drive deeper into the meadow, looking for a secret place where no one will disturb us, and walk to the top of the mountain to overlook the grassland.
After having fun, we headed to Enhe, a small and exotic Russian ethnic township located on the Sino-Russian border, with Russian-style wooden houses everywhere.
Tonight, stay at the unique Mukeleng Inn, a traditional local inn. Made entirely of wood, it can be built without a single nail, making it sturdy and warm in winter and cool in summer. After checking in, you'll be free to explore this secluded town, visit the fragrant leba houses, relax at the Vladimir Tavern, check in at the Russian wooden church, or write a postcard at the post office. We also recommend trying the local blueberry yogurt.
When night falls, you can also find unique Russian country cuisine in the town.
Day 6: Enhe → Kazakh Highway → Wulan Mountain (Erguna Wetland) → Heishantou
·morning
After breakfast, we'll depart and continue along the breathtakingly beautiful Sino-Russian Border Highway (Ka Line Highway). Named for the numerous border posts along the route, Ka Line captures the uninhabited landscape of the border. Enjoy the scenery as you walk and admire the exotic scenery on the other side. In the morning, we'll arrive at the Wulan Mountain Scenic Area and ascend to the observation deck, where we'll gaze upon the "natural Tai Chi diagram" at the heart of the Ergun River in the wetlands.
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 will be offered to visit Enhe Village, and a "secret SUV" ride similar to the Premium Route will be arranged to explore the grasslands. This area, where grassland and forest meet, boasts gracefully curving hills and meadows, vast expanses of wild birch forest, and extensive farmland.
·afternoon
Arriving at Heishantou in the afternoon, China-TravelNote has specially arranged a grassland paradise: visiting herders, feeding lambs, riding the popular grassland oil barrel train, or changing into Mongolian costumes and taking photos on the grassland.
In the evening, we'll head to Heishantou Horse Farm for an exciting horseback riding experience (at your own expense). Under the guidance of our grooms, we'll don professional knight's hats and ride majestic horses to the grassland plateau, overlooking the Ergun Wetland. We'll watch the stunning sunset over the wetland. The sun and the reflections from the wetland illuminate the grassy slopes, creating a golden silhouette. After enjoying the photo ops, we'll depart. Overnight in Heishantou Town.
Kind tips:
1. Tourists who don't ride horses can also enjoy other activities such as go-karting on the grassland, or take beautiful photos on the grassland.
Day 7 Heishantou → China-Russia Border Highway → Manzhouli
·morning
After breakfast, we'll depart south along the Sino-Russian border highway, taking in the panoramic views of the Ergun River wetlands. We'll then arrive in Manzhouli, a city on the border between China, Mongolia, and Russia. The exotic architecture, the constant flow of Russian vehicles, and the passing Russian men and women all showcase the prosperity of this small border town.
Road conditions: (updated on August 18)
Due to road closures and construction, the originally planned China-Russia border highway (Heishantou-Manzhouli) is inaccessible. You will need to take a detour via National Highway 332 to Manzhouli (adding 1-2 hours to the journey). Thank you for your understanding.
·afternoon
After checking into the hotel and taking a short rest, we headed to the Manzhouli National Gate Scenic Area in the afternoon to check in at the Sino-Russian Boundary Marker No. 41, the remains of the CCP’s secret transportation line, and the Steam Locomotive Square. Climbing up the national gate, we could see the street scenes of the Russian town of Zabaikalsk.
After the tour, tourists can explore the city on their own, checking out other attractions. In the evening, they can also enjoy local Russian and Western cuisine. Manzhouli's nightscape is the city's hallmark. From the Yingshan Cathedral in the east to the lakeside vistas of Beihu Street, the illuminated border town is a symbol of the nation's prosperity.
Kind tips:
Due to the border scenic area policy, foreigners and compatriots from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan cannot enter the Manzhouli National Gate Scenic Area. The corresponding ticket fees will be refunded, and they can freely travel around the Manzhouli city. Thank you for your understanding.
Recommended attractions in Manzhouli: Manzhouli Museum, Tsarist Prison Exhibition Hall, Wedding Palace, Russian Art Village, and Matryoshka Doll Scenic Area.
Recommended restaurants: Luburi Western Restaurant, Mengxiangyuan (BBQ), Wulijitala Milk Tea House, Nomintala Milk Tea, Observation Tower Revolving Restaurant, etc.
Early departure instructions:
1. Flights: There are many flights from Manzhouli to the mainland (some domestic cities have direct flights). If you are departing on the same day, it is recommended to book a flight after 17:00.
2. Train: <Manzhouli - Harbin> Train Schedule (Specific times are subject to official announcement by 12306): K7090 (20:19 - 09:38 the next day), 2624 (21:40 - 09:52 the next day)
Departure Notes: Please note "Not staying in Manchuria" when placing an order. A check-out fee will be charged for 2 people sharing a room.
Day 8 Manchuria → Hailar ★ Disbandment Day
All day
After breakfast, we'll depart and arrive in Hailar around 11:00 AM, marking the end of our trip! If time permits, you can explore the city of Hailar on your own and explore the local delicacies.
Tips for returning:
1. Departure from Manzhouli: Manzhouli Airport is 12km from the city center. Direct flights to Harbin and Beijing are available, and connecting flights to major cities in China are available.
2. There are many flights from Hailar to the mainland (some domestic cities have direct flights). If you are leaving on the same day, it is recommended to book a flight after 13:00;
3. There are many trains from Hailar to Harbin, Changchun and Shenyang, so you can transfer or travel to these areas. If you are leaving on the same day, it is recommended to buy a train after 12:00.
Recommended self-guided tours in Manzhouli:
1. Surrounding area: Mammoth Park-Zhalannur Museum
2. City: Manzhouli Museum - Tsarist Prison Exhibition Hall - Wedding Palace - Russian Art Village - Matryoshka Doll Scenic Area
