Autumn in Northern Xinjiang: Hulunbuir & Arxan Guide

Autumn in Northern Xinjiang is breathtaking! Hulunbuir and Arxan are must-visit destinations with golden haystacks stretching to the horizon, caramel-colored forests, and volcanic crater lakes resembling sapphire gems. This guide ensures a flawless trip!✨

📅 Best Time to Visit
The golden period is from early September to early October, with mid to late September showcasing the most vibrant autumn colors. After the National Day holiday, leaves start to fall, and snow may appear, so plan early.

🧳 Essentials for the Trip
🧥 Clothing: With a temperature difference of over 15°C between day and night, layering is key! Pack quick-dry shirts/wool sweaters for the base layer, fleece jackets for the middle layer, and a windbreaker or light down jacket for the outer layer. Pair with thermal pants and waterproof hiking boots. Bring an extra pair of socks for morning shoots as dew can soak your shoes. Bright shawls are perfect for photos.
🕶 Gear: Sunglasses, windproof hats, and gloves are must-haves. Hand warmers are lifesavers for morning shoots. A wide-angle lens is ideal for capturing lakes and forests.
🛒 Others: A thermos, hydrating face masks, moisturizing skincare products (the climate is dry), digestive medicine (to adapt to lamb and beef), chocolate (to prevent hypoglycemia in cold weather), ID card, student ID (for ticket discounts), and some cash are essential.

🚗 Transportation Tips
✈ Fly directly to Hailar Dongshan Airport, which has more flights, or to Arxan Yiershi Airport, which is closer to the scenic spots.
🚘 Renting a car locally offers flexibility. Drivers are familiar with routes and can take you to hidden gems. Novices should avoid self-driving as grasslands can trap vehicles, and some roads are gravel.
🚍 Within Arxan Scenic Area, you must switch to sightseeing buses. Tickets are valid for two days, with highlights including Tuofengling Tianchi and Shitanglin.

📅 Suggested Itinerary
👉 Day 1: Hailar → Morigele River → Grassland Exploration → 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 (Tianchi/Shitanglin/Dujun Lake/Santan Gorge, etc.)
👉 Day 6: Arxan National Forest Park → Zhangzi Pine Scenic Avenue → Qixian Lake Grassland → Hailar

🏨 Accommodation Recommendations
🎪 In Heishantou, choose a legitimate Mongolian yurt to experience a bonfire party and stargazing at night.
🎪 In Enhe/Shiwei, stay in Russian-style wooden cabins with views of Russia through the window.
🎪 In Arxan, opt for a homestay in Tianchi Town (great for stargazing) or a hot spring hotel in the city to relax.
🎪 In Manzhouli, the Matryoshka Hotel offers a fairytale-like atmosphere, perfect for photos.

🍱 Must-Try Local Cuisine
🍖 Hulunbuir: Hand-pulled lamb, Buryat dumplings, Nomintala Milk Tea House’s pot tea, and copper pot lamb hotpot (tender and not gamey).
🥘 Arxan: Iron pot stewed goose with cornbread, Tianchi crucian carp stewed with tofu, and wild hazel mushrooms stir-fried with meat.
🍰 Manzhouli: Don’t miss the red borscht and Russian sausage at Lubuli Restaurant.

⚠️ Important Tips
1. The high-altitude UV rays are strong, so sunscreen and hats are a must to avoid getting sunburned.
2. Tuofengling Tianchi has about 500 steps. Elderly and children should proceed cautiously. The wind at the summit is strong, so don’t skimp on windproof gear.
3. Autumn may bring rain and fog. Raincoats are more practical than umbrellas. Note that the forest area is in a fire prevention period, so smoking outdoors is strictly prohibited.
4. Signal in the grasslands can be unstable. Download offline maps in advance and respect local customs by not trespassing on pastures.