Autumn Scenery Guide for Hulunbuir and Arxan

Northern Xinjiang in autumn is like a palette spilled by God! Hulunbuir's golden grasslands stretch to the horizon, and Arxan's colorful forests embrace volcanic crater lakes. Save this ultimate guide now! 👇

📆 Best Time to Visit
September 15 - October 5: The grasslands turn from green to gold, birch forests take on a caramel hue, and Arxan's forests display layers of red, yellow, and orange. Miss it, and you'll have to wait another year!

🧳 Essential Packing List
👗 Clothing: With a day-night temperature difference of over 20°C, dress in layers: quick-dry shirts, wool sweaters, and a windbreaker or light down jacket. Waterproof high-top shoes are a must, and bring hand warmers for early morning photography.
🕶 Gear: Wide-brimmed hat (for wind and sun protection), sunglasses, SPF 50+ sunscreen, and a wide-angle lens for capturing the stunning crater lakes. Don't forget a thermos and lip balm—dryness alert!
💊 Medications: Bring stomach medicine (overeating lamb and beef can cause bloating), cold medicine, motion sickness pills, and chocolate for warmth and to prevent low blood sugar.

📅 Itinerary Plan
👉 Day 1: Hailar → Morigele River → Grassland Exploration → Erguna 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’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

🚌 Transportation Options
🚘 Best Choice: Local car rental with a driver who knows the routes and can act as a guide. Avoid getting lost on remote roads (like the border highway) and steer clear of low-cost, unlicensed cars.
🚗 For Self-Drivers: Download offline maps in advance. Some roads may have snow after October, so bring snow chains.

🏨 Accommodation Tips
🏡 Enhe/Linjiang: Choose log cabin-style homestays with Russian-style fireplaces for cozy nights. Enjoy homemade meals by the hosts.
🏡 Erguna/Arxan City: Stay in city hotels for better facilities and reliable heating at a more affordable price.
📢 Reminder: Book accommodations two weeks in advance! Autumn is peak season, and homestays fill up quickly.

😋 Must-Try Local Foods
🍖 Grassland Delicacies: Hand-pulled lamb (amazing with chive flower sauce), roasted lamb leg, and the lamb hotpot at "Junxiangyuan" in Hailar is a must.
🍰 Russian Flavors: Red beet soup, Russian-style dumplings, freshly baked rye bread with blueberry jam in Enhe's alleys—carb heaven!
☕ Local Specialties: Salty milk tea with milk tofu (try the salty version first), fried rice, and mare's milk wine (drink sparingly—it packs a punch).

⚠️ Tips & Pitfalls to Avoid
1. Cultural Etiquette: Remove shoes before entering a yurt, sit clockwise, avoid stepping on sacred cairns, and respect local customs.
2. Horse Riding Tips: Choose a reputable stable, follow the instructor's guidance, never stand behind a horse, and wait for the horse to stop before dismounting.
3. Avoid Scams: Say no to low-cost shopping tours, clarify prices for photos with reindeer at scenic spots, and buy souvenirs at large supermarkets in the city (no markup).
4. Weather Alerts: Carry a foldable umbrella. Mosquitoes may appear in forested areas, so bring a small bottle of insect repellent.

Autumn in Northern Xinjiang is like a living desktop wallpaper! Follow this guide to effortlessly experience its vastness and romance. ✨