Golden Autumn Travel Guide for Hulunbuir and Arxan

Who can resist? Hulunbuir and Arxan in September are like a spilled palette of colors by God—golden grasslands, forests painted like oil paintings, and every photo is wallpaper-worthy. This guide, covering outfits, food, and tips to avoid pitfalls, is all you need to start your journey!

🍂 Best Time to Visit
Mid-September to early October is the golden period, especially from September 20 to October 5. The grasslands turn golden, the forests are vibrant, and the scenery before the frost is picture-perfect. Miss it, and you'll have to wait another year!

🎒 Essentials for the Trip
👗 Outfits: With a temperature difference of over 10°C between day and night, layering is key! Wool base layers + fleece jacket + windproof outerwear, paired with Martin boots or waterproof hiking shoes. Bright shawls or scarves are perfect for photos.
📸 Must-haves: Hand warmers and a thermos are essential. Bring extra camera batteries (cold weather drains them quickly). A tripod is a must for sunset shots. If using a drone near the border, get prior approval.
🛒 Other items: Sunglasses and sun hats for UV protection, spare socks for dew, and chocolate to prevent low blood sugar.

📅 Itinerary
Day 1: Hailar → Morigele River → Grassland exploration → Erguna Wetland → Birch Forest → Enhe
Day 2: Enhe → Charming Town of Shiwei → Kaxian → Ulan Mountain Scenic Area → Wuka → Heishantou
Day 3: Heishantou → Border Highway → 186 Ribbon River → Visit a herder's home → National Gate/Matryoshka Square → Manzhouli
Day 4: Manzhouli → Hulun Lake → Rose Peak → Dongyang Railway Station → Bailang Peak → Arxan
Day 5: Arxan → Arxan National Forest Park (Heavenly Lake/Stone Forest/Dujuan Lake/Santan Gorge, etc.)
Day 6: Arxan National Forest Park → Zhangzi Pine Scenic Avenue → Qixian Lake Grassland → Hailar

🍲 Must-Try Foods
🥘 Iron Pot Stewed Goose: Served with potato noodles and corn cakes, dipped in the broth—so delicious you'll lick the plate. Recommended: Laoshugen Farmhouse.
🍖 Hand-Pulled Lamb: Freshly slaughtered lamb boiled in clear water, dipped in chive flower sauce, and paired with mare's milk wine for an authentic experience.
🧆 Stir-Fried Wild Artemisia with Bacon: A fragrant forest vegetable dish that balances the richness of the meat, a local favorite.

🏨 Accommodation Recommendations
✅ Arxan: Inns on Wenquan Street in the city center, close to the night market; guesthouses in Tianchi Town within the scenic area, walking distance to the shuttle bus station.
✅ Grasslands: Mongolian yurts in Heishantou with floor-to-ceiling windows for stargazing at night.
✅ Forest Area: Wooden cabins in Moerdaoga for an authentic forest experience.

🚥 Transportation
✈ Major Transport: Fly to Hailar Dongshan Airport. Rent a car or join a small private tour upon arrival for maximum flexibility to stop and capture autumn scenery.
🚍 Scenic Area Transport: The Arxan Forest Park requires a shuttle bus ticket (105 RMB, valid for two days). Keep your ticket safe.

⚠️ Tips and Precautions
1. Many Arxan attractions require a combination of driving and hiking. The stairs to Heavenly Lake are steep, so elderly and children should proceed cautiously.
2. Some areas along the border highway have no signal. Download offline maps in advance.
3. Respect local customs: remove shoes before entering a yurt, and follow the guide's instructions before horseback riding.
4. Best photography times: 7-9 AM and 5-7 PM, when the light is soft and atmospheric.