Autumn in Northern Xinjiang: Hulunbuir & Arxan Guide

Hulunbuir's golden grasslands stretch to the horizon, Arxan's forests are painted in caramel hues, and volcanic crater lakes nestled among the woods resemble sapphires. This comprehensive guide ensures a flawless trip—just go for it!✨

📅 Best Time to Visit
Late September to early October is the golden period! The stunning autumn scenery lasts only about 20 days, with larch and birch forests ablaze in color. After the National Day holiday, leaves start to fall, and snow may arrive, so plan early.

🧳 Essentials for the Trip
👗 Clothing: Day-night temperature difference exceeds 15°C! The ultimate formula: quick-dry shirt + fleece jacket + windbreaker/thin down jacket, paired with thermal pants and waterproof high-top hiking boots. Bright-colored outerwear is great for photos, and a dress adds extra charm.
🕶 Gear: Sunglasses, windproof hat, and gloves are must-haves. Hand warmers are lifesavers for morning shoots. A wide-angle lens is perfect for capturing lakes and forests.
🛒 Other Items: Thermos, moisturizing skincare (dry climate), digestive medicine (to adapt to lamb and beef), chocolate (to prevent low blood sugar), and spare socks (morning dew can wet shoes).

📅 Itinerary
👉 Day 1: Hailar → Morigele River → Deep into the Grasslands → Erguna Wetland → Birch Forest → Enhe
👉 Day 2: Enhe → Charming Town of Shiwei → Kaxian → 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 → Pinus Sylvestris Scenic Avenue → Qixian Lake Grassland → Hailar

🚥 Transportation Guide
✈ Major Transportation: Fly directly to Hailar or Arxan Yiershi Airport, or take a train from Harbin.
🚘 Local Transportation: Highly recommend hiring a car! Drivers know the best hidden spots. Self-driving is not advised for beginners as some roads are gravel and lack signal.
🚍 Scenic Area Transportation: Arxan Forest Park requires purchasing "entrance + sightseeing bus tickets." Private cars are not allowed inside, but shuttle buses at designated stops are very convenient.

🍲 Must-Try Foods
🍖 Hand-Pulled Lamb: Locally raised lamb boiled in clear water, dipped in chive flower sauce, and paired with corn cakes—absolutely delicious.
☕ Mongolian Milk Tea: Rich and savory, with added fried rice and milk skin, it warms you from the inside out.
🍛 Wild Mushroom Chicken Stew: Autumn mushrooms are at their freshest, with tender chicken and a broth so flavorful it’s unforgettable.
🥩 Grilled Lamb Ribs: Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, paired with local beer for ultimate satisfaction.

🏨 Accommodation Recommendations
✅ Enhe: Choose a Russian-style log cabin to enjoy morning mist over the grasslands.
✅ Heishantou: Stay in a yurt with private bathrooms and stargaze at night.
✅ Arxan: For value, stay in Yiershi Town (more dining options). For sunrise photography, opt for wooden lodges within the scenic area. Book at least a month in advance during peak season.

⚠️ Notes
1. Autumn is fire prevention season. Smoking and open flames are strictly prohibited in forest areas. Don’t litter.
2. Bring some cash! Some small shops have poor signal, making mobile payments unavailable.
3. Enter yurts clockwise, don’t step on the threshold, and ask for permission before taking photos.
4. The light at Tuofengling Heavenly Lake is soft after 3 PM, and Dujuan Lake has the best morning mist for photos between 6-7 AM.