Autumn Travel Guide: Enchanting Hulunbuir and Arxan in 6 Days

Hulunbuir and Arxan in autumn are like a palette spilled by the heavens! Golden grasslands, shimmering silver birch forests, and volcanic lakes reflecting the blue sky—this comprehensive guide is a must-save!

📅 Best Time to Visit
⏰ Mid-September to early October is the peak season for autumn scenery. Leaves display vibrant colors, creating a layered effect. Check the weather and foliage conditions before setting off.

🧳 Essentials for the Trip
👗 Clothing: With a temperature difference of 15-20°C between day and night, dress in layers! Pack thermal underwear, sweaters, a windbreaker/thin down jacket, insulated waterproof shoes, scarves, and gloves. Bright shawls are perfect for stunning photos.
🛒 Other items: High-moisture skincare products and lip balm (dry climate), high-SPF sunscreen and sunglasses (strong UV rays), a thermos, power bank, offline maps, some cash, and essential medications (cold medicine, stomach medicine).

📅 Itinerary Plan
👉 Day 1: Hailar → Morigele River → Grassland Exploration → Ergun Wetland → Birch Forest → Enhe
👉 Day 2: Enhe → Charming Town of Shiwei → Kaxian → Ulan Mountain Scenic Area → Wuka → Heishantou
👉 Day 3: Heishantou → Border Road → 186 Rainbow River → Visit a Herding Family → 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

🚗 Transportation Tips
✈ Major Transportation: Fly to Hailar Dongshan Airport. Renting a car or hiring a driver upon arrival offers flexibility. The distance between destinations is significant, and self-driving allows for spontaneous photo stops.
🚘 Route: Hailar → Ergun → Heishantou → Manzhouli → Arxan. Roads are generally in good condition, but some sections have speed limits. Refuel when the tank is half full.
🚍 Scenic Area Transport: Arxan National Forest Park requires taking a sightseeing bus. Tickets are valid for 48 hours, so plan 1-2 days for in-depth exploration.

🏡 Accommodation Recommendations
🎪 Hulunbuir: Stay in a wooden cabin-style guesthouse in Enhe for wetland views; opt for a Mongolian yurt in Heishantou to enjoy stargazing at night.
🏨 Arxan: Choose a Russian-style hotel in the city for easy access to the popular railway station; for sunrise photography, stay near the Heavenly Lake service area to capture the morning glow of the Unfrozen River.
⚠️ Book accommodations at least a month in advance during peak season, especially for lodgings within scenic areas.

🍱 Must-Try Local Cuisine
🍖 Signature Dishes: Hand-grabbed lamb with chive flowers, copper pot hotpot with freshly sliced lamb, and iron pot stewed goose (paired with corn pancakes for extra flavor). Don’t miss Arxan’s wild mushroom hotpot.
☕ Specialties: Savory Mongolian milk tea with milk tofu, juicy stuffed lamb stomach, and blueberry jam—perfect for balancing rich flavors and warming the stomach.
🎁 Souvenirs: Dried beef jerky, original milk tablets, and dried blueberries—all natural and additive-free.

⚠️ Important Notes
1. Grasslands and forests are in fire prevention season—smoking is strictly prohibited, and all trash must be carried out.
2. Some areas in Arxan have weak signals; download offline maps in advance. Small shops may only accept cash.
3. Respect local customs: Don’t step on the threshold when entering a Mongolian yurt, and ask for permission before taking photos.
4. Food within scenic areas can be pricey; bring snacks and negotiate car rental prices in advance to avoid detours.

Autumn in Northern Xinjiang is breathtakingly beautiful—every frame is wallpaper-worthy. Gather your companions and set off now! ✨