Autumn Wonderland! A Comprehensive Guide to Hulunbuir and Arxan

From mid to late September, Hulunbuir and Arxan transform into a painter's palette spilled by the heavens! Golden grasslands and orange-tinted forests await. This guide will help you avoid all the pitfalls.

🍁 Best Time to Visit
Mid-September to early October is the golden period, especially from September 20 to October 5. The Greater Khingan Range is ablaze with colors, and the grasslands are dotted with haystacks resembling golden cakes. Miss it, and you'll have to wait another year!

🧳 Essentials for Your Trip
👗 Clothing: With a day-night temperature difference of over 10°C, layer up with quick-dry shirts, fleece jackets, and windproof outerwear. Bring a lightweight down jacket and waterproof hiking boots. Avoid wearing UGG boots.
📸 Gear: Sunscreen, moisturizer (dry climate), a thermos, hand warmers, extra camera batteries (cold weather drains them quickly), and a tripod for sunset shots.
🎫 Documents: Carry your ID card. If you're flying a drone in border areas, report it in advance to avoid confiscation.

📅 Itinerary
👉 Day 1: Hailar → Morigele River → Grassland Exploration → Ergun Wetland → Birch Forest → Enhe
👉 Day 2: Enhe → Charming Town of Shiwei → Border Road → Ulan Mountain Scenic Area → Wuka → Heishantou
👉 Day 3: Heishantou → Border Highway → 186 Ribbon River → Visit a Herdsman → National Gate/Matryoshka Square → Manzhouli
👉 Day 4: Manzhouli → Hulun Lake → Rose Peak → Dongyang Railway Station → White Wolf 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
🥘 Stewed Goose in Iron Pot: Served with corn pancakes dipped in soup. Recommended at "Old Tree Root Farmhouse."
🍖 Hand-Pulled Lamb: Freshly slaughtered lamb dipped in chive flower sauce, paired with mare's milk wine for an authentic experience.
🧆 Stir-Fried Wild Artemisia with Bacon: A fragrant forest vegetable dish loved by locals.
☕ Mineral Water Cuisine: Meals and tea made with Arxan mineral water have an unparalleled taste.

🏨 Accommodation Recommendations
🔶 Arxan: Stay at a guesthouse in Tianchi Town within the scenic area for easy access to the shuttle bus station. In the city, opt for inns on Hot Spring Street for convenient access to the night market and local delicacies.
🔶 Grasslands: Stay in a scenic Mongolian yurt at Heishantou to stargaze at night. In Enhe, choose a traditional wooden lodge.
🔶 Manzhouli: Pick a Russian-style hotel for easy access to the Matryoshka Square.

🚥 Transportation Tips
🚘 Self-Drive: Start from Hailar and take the border road. The route is filled with wallpaper-worthy autumn scenery, allowing you to stop whenever you like. For electric cars, plan charging stations using the "Charge App" in advance. Note that charging costs are higher at Heishantou.
🚗 Group Tours: Opt for small private tours with exclusive vehicles and concierge services. Even beginners can enjoy hassle-free travel with all key attractions included and no hidden fees.
🚍 Within Scenic Areas: Arxan National Forest Park requires shuttle bus tickets (105 RMB, valid for two days). Keep your ticket safe.

⚠️ Important Notes
1. The stairs at Arxan Heavenly Lake are steep. Elderly and children should proceed cautiously. Wear a hat to protect against strong winds at the summit.
2. Choose a reputable horse-riding venue and agree on the price beforehand to avoid disputes.
3. Carry some chocolate to prevent hypoglycemia in cold weather. Bring extra socks for morning photography to avoid wet shoes from dew.