Autumn in Northern Xinjiang: Hulunbuir and Arxan Travel Guide

The autumn scenery in Hulunbuir and Arxan is absolutely stunning! Golden grasslands, crimson forests, and tranquil landscapes away from the crowds. Here's a comprehensive guide for your trip—just follow along! 👇

🧳 Essentials for Your Trip
👗 Clothing: With a day-night temperature difference of over 15°C, dress in layers: quick-dry base layer + light down jacket + windproof outerwear, paired with thermal pants and waterproof high-top shoes. Don’t forget gloves and scarves. Bright-colored jackets are perfect for photos!
🛒 Other items: Sunscreen (strong UV rays), lip balm, hand cream (dry weather alert), thermos, power bank, and some cash (signal can be weak in certain areas).

🚥 Transportation
✈ Major transportation: Fly to Hailar or Arxan Airport. Renting a car or self-driving is the most flexible option, allowing you to stop and capture the scenery along the way.
🚍 Scenic area transportation: Arxan National Forest Park requires taking sightseeing buses. There are two routes, so confirm the direction before boarding.

📅 Itinerary
👉 Day 1: Hailar → Morigele River → Grassland exploration → Ergun Wetland → Birch Forest → Enhe
👉 Day 2: Enhe → Charming town of Shiwei → Borderline road → Ulan Mountain Scenic Area → Wuka → Heishantou
👉 Day 3: Heishantou → Border road → 186 Ribbon River → Visit herders → 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

🍱 Must-Try Foods
🍖 Grassland specialties: Hand-grabbed lamb, boiled and dipped in chive flower sauce, with no gamey taste; freshly milked cow’s milk boiled with a pinch of salt for authentic flavor.
🥛 Local snacks: Grassland yogurt sprinkled with fried rice to balance richness; freshly baked bread with blueberry jam for breakfast is divine.
🍰 Fusion options: Russian cuisine in Manzhouli, Northeast-style iron pot stew in Hailar—switch it up for variety.

🏡 Accommodation Recommendations
✅ Enhe: Russian-style wooden cabins with the scent of pinewood, paired with rye bread and milk tea for a cozy vibe.
✅ Heishantou: Choose yurts with private bathrooms; stargaze at night and join a bonfire party.
✅ Arxan: Splurge on Oulenburg Villas for proximity to scenic spots and stargazing; opt for budget-friendly Mountain Inn, where the owner can recommend hidden gems.

⚠️ Tips
1. Arxan tickets cost 285 RMB, covering 7 major attractions and sightseeing buses, valid for 48 hours. Keep your ticket safe as it’s required at each site.
2. Be cautious with “wild vegetable stir-fry” in scenic areas; stick to home-style dishes for better value.
3. Avoid driving at night as temperatures drop and roads may freeze; download offline maps in advance due to spotty signal.
4. Don’t step on vegetation while taking photos—protect the ecosystem. Before leaving, soak in a hot spring to relax and grab beef jerky from the supermarket as souvenirs.

Mid-September to early October is the golden season, with vibrant grasslands and forests. This autumn-exclusive trip is absolutely worth it! ✨