September in Hulunbuir and Arxan: A Palette Spilled by the Divine

The golden autumn in northern Xinjiang is simply breathtaking! Hulunbuir's golden grasslands stretch to the horizon, Arxan's birch forests shimmer in the sunlight, and volcanic lakes are nestled among colorful forests. Few crowds, stunning scenery, and photogenic spots—here’s a detailed guide for you to follow 👇

🍂 Best Time to Visit
Early September to early October is the golden period, with peak autumn colors from mid-September to early October. Grasslands and forests turn golden in layers, but delays may lead to snowfall affecting your trip.

🎒 Essentials for the Trip
👗 Clothing: With a day-night temperature difference of over 20°C, layering is key! Thin long sleeves + fleece + windproof jacket. Bring a scarf and fleece gloves (essential for sunrise viewing). Light-colored outfits are more photogenic.
🛒 Gear: Non-slip hiking shoes (a must for Arxan boardwalks), sunscreen, sunglasses (to combat grassland glare), a thermos, a camera (telephoto lens for autumn scenery), and moisturizer (dry climate).

🚥 Transportation Tips
🚘 Recommended: Hire a car. Attractions are scattered, and some areas lack signal. Local drivers can guide you and help avoid low-cost, unreliable services.
🚗 Self-Driving Tips: Border roads in September-October may have fallen leaves and can be slippery in rain. Use a 4WD vehicle, download offline maps, and prepare snow chains (snowfall possible in October).
🚌 Scenic Area Transport: Arxan National Forest Park offers shuttle buses connecting attractions.

📅 Suggested 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 Road → 186 Ribbon River → Visit a Herdsman’s Home → 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 → Pinus Sylvestris Scenic Avenue → Qixian Lake Grassland → Hailar

🏡 Accommodation Recommendations
🏡 Enhe/Linjiang: Choose Russian-style wooden cabins with fireplaces for cozy warmth at night.
🏠 Erguna/Arxan: Opt for city hotels with full facilities and good heating; avoid small guesthouses.
📢 Note: Book accommodations 10-15 days in advance. Wooden cabins are limited and fill up quickly.

🥩 Must-Try Local Cuisine
🍖 Hulunbuir: Hand-grabbed lamb (choose local lamb), roasted lamb leg, milk tea with milk curds—authentic flavors are best at herders’ homes.
🥘 Arxan: Forest vegetable feast, stewed Xing’an mushrooms, hot spring eggs (boiled in spring water), and water from Wuli Spring (crisp and sweet).

⚠️ Important Tips
1. Avoid low-cost tours—they often involve rushed sightseeing and shopping, ruining the experience.
2. At Genhe Reindeer Park, you can feed reindeer for free. Ignore overpriced photo packages.
3. Buy souvenirs at large supermarkets in the city; prices in scenic areas are inflated. Respect herders’ customs on the grasslands—don’t trample grass or disturb cattle and sheep.
4. Arxan National Forest Park is vast; plan for 1-2 days of in-depth exploration. Must-visit spots include Tuofengling Heavenly Lake, Dujuan Lake, and the Unfrozen River.

Autumn in northern Xinjiang offers the most healing landscapes. Stand on the grasslands to watch the wind ripple through haystacks, or chase the light in birch forests—this trip will leave memories to last a whole year!