Autumn in Northern Xinjiang: Hulunbuir & Arxan Guide

Autumn in Northern Xinjiang is breathtaking! Hulunbuir and Arxan are must-visit destinations during this season. With golden haystacks, birch trees glowing yellow, and volcanic crater lakes nestled in vast forests, this guide covers everything from outfits to transportation and food. Save it now!✨

🍂 Best Time to Visit
⏰ Early September to early October is the golden period. Mid to late September offers the most vibrant autumn colors, with forests painted like an oil painting. After the National Day holiday, snow may fall, and leaves start to drop, so plan your trip early!

🧳 Essentials for the Trip
🧥 Clothing: With a temperature difference of over 15°C between day and night, layer up with quick-dry shirts, wool sweaters, and a windbreaker or light down jacket. In October, add thermal underwear and windproof pants. Waterproof high-top shoes are a must.
👓 Accessories: Sunglasses, knit hats, gloves (for wind and sun protection), and hand warmers are lifesavers for early morning photography. Don’t forget a thermos and a wide-angle lens for capturing the stunning crater lakes and forests.
💊 Medications: Bring stomach medicine (to adapt to lamb and beef dishes), cold medicine, and chocolate to prevent low blood sugar in cold weather.

🚥 Transportation Tips
✈ Major Transportation: There are more direct flights to Hailar, while Arxan Yiershi Airport is closer to the scenic spots. Alternatively, take a train to enjoy the views along the way.
🚘 Local Travel: Highly recommend hiring a car! The vast grasslands and scattered scenic spots are best explored with a local driver who knows the routes and viewpoints. Self-driving can be challenging on complex roads.

📅 Suggested Itinerary
👉 Day 1: Hailar → Morigele River → Grassland Exploration → Erguna Wetland → Birch Forest → Enhe
👉 Day 2: Enhe → Charming Town of Shiwei → Kaxian 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

🏡 Accommodation Recommendations
✅ Hailar: Stay in the city center for convenient transportation and dining, and easy itinerary connections.
✅ Enhe: Choose a wooden cabin homestay to enjoy wetland views and Russian-style charm.
✅ Arxan: Opt for wooden cabins in the Heavenly Lake service area for sunrise views, or book hotels in the city center. Reserve rooms at least a month in advance during peak season.

🍱 Must-Try Foods
🍖 Hand-Pulled Lamb: Boiled in clear water for a tender and fresh taste, best enjoyed with chive flower sauce.
🥘 Specialty Dishes: Roast whole lamb, Russian-style Western cuisine, Northeastern-style iron pot stew, cheese, and salty milk tea are all worth trying.

⚠️ Important Tips
1. The climate is dry, so stay hydrated and use moisturizing skincare products. Don’t forget sunscreen.
2. Some scenic areas have poor signal coverage, so download offline maps and carry some cash.
3. Choose certified horse-riding venues, and if using drones in border areas, apply for permits in advance.

The romance of autumn in Northern Xinjiang lies in the sunsets at Heishantou and the Heavenly Lake in Arxan. Don’t miss the chance to explore while the autumn colors are at their peak!