Golden Autumn in Hulunbuir and Arxan

Autumn in Hulunbuir and Arxan is like a spilled palette of colors, with golden grasslands and rolling forest waves. Here's a comprehensive guide to help you plan your trip!

🍂 Best Time to Visit
⏰ September 15-25 is the golden period when birch forests and grasslands reach peak saturation; September 20-October 5 offers a chance to see golden forests with early snow—breathtakingly beautiful.

🚗 Transportation Guide
✈ Major Transportation: Fly to Hailar (Hulunbuir) or Arxan Yiershi Airport. Book tickets early; off-season one-way fares start at 600+ RMB.
🚘 Local Transportation: Hulunbuir is best explored by car rental, while Arxan Scenic Area requires a 105 RMB sightseeing bus ticket (valid for 2 days).
❌ Avoid Scams: Don’t trust low-cost car rentals at train stations; choose reputable platforms.

📅 Itinerary Planning
👉 Day 1: Hailar → Morigele River → Grassland Exploration → Ergun Wetland → Birch Forest → Enhe
👉 Day 2: Enhe → Charming Town of Shiwei → Scenic Route → Ulan Mountain Scenic Area → Wuka → Heishantou
👉 Day 3: Heishantou → Border Road → 186 Ribbon River → Visit Local Herdsmen → National Gate/Matryoshka Square → Manzhouli
👉 Day 4: Manzhouli → Hulun Lake → Rose Peak → Dongyang Train 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

🏡 Accommodation Recommendations
✅ Hulunbuir: Stay in a unique Mongolian yurt in Heishantou or a Russian-style wooden lodge in Enhe (cozy fireplaces add charm).
✅ Arxan: Stay in a guesthouse in Tianchi Town within the scenic area (forest views from your window) or choose a hotel with floor heating in the city.
📢 Tips: Room rates double before National Day; book 2 months in advance for lower prices.

🍱 Food Recommendations
🍖 Hulunbuir: Hand-grabbed lamb with Hailar beer, Russian rye bread with blueberry jam, freshly roasted lamb chops.
🥘 Arxan: Forest-style iron pot stew, Northeastern cuisine (request less salt in advance).
❌ Avoid Scams: Meat dishes near scenic areas are overpriced; stick to trusted city restaurants.

🎒 Travel Essentials
👗 Clothing: Wear a windbreaker, light down jacket, and thermal pants. Bright inner layers are perfect for photos.
📸 Gear: Hand warmers, thermos, wide-angle lens (ideal for capturing Heavenly Lake).
💊 Medicine: Digestive medicine (for lamb and beef dishes), mosquito repellent (essential for forests).

⚠️ Important Notes
🔶 Temperature: Daytime highs of 15°C, nighttime lows of -3°C. Avoid high heels; wear non-slip sneakers.
🔶 Photography: Don’t miss the morning mist in Moerdaoga or the sunset at Dujuan Lake in Arxan. Park only in safe areas.
🔶 Avoid Crowds: National Day sees a surge in tourists; mid-to-late September offers a better experience.

Autumn’s beauty is fleeting—grab this guide and set out to discover the golden fairytale of the Greater Khingan Mountains!