Golden Autumn in Northern Xinjiang!

Ultimate Guide to Hulunbuir and Arxan.

Autumn in Northern Xinjiang is absolutely stunning! Hulunbuir boasts golden grasslands, while Arxan features caramel-colored forests. Every snapshot is wallpaper-worthy. This guide is your go-to for an effortless trip ✅

🎒 Essential Packing List
🧥 Clothing: Bring a thick down jacket and fleece-lined pants! The temperature difference between day and night exceeds 15°C. Wear sweaters during the day, but wrap up in a down jacket for early morning mist photography. Pack a red or white dress for stunning photos.
🛒 Other essentials: Hiking boots (many trails have gravel), sunglasses, high-SPF sunscreen (strong UV rays), a thermos, digestive medicine (to adapt to lamb and beef), and offline maps (some areas lack signal).
🧼 Bonus items: Lip balm and face masks! The dry climate can cause chapped lips, which might ruin your photo-ready look.

🚥 Transportation Guide
✈ Major transportation: Fly directly to Hailar or Arxan Yiershi Airport. Alternatively, take a train from Harbin to enjoy the gradual autumn scenery of the grasslands.
🚘 Local transportation: Highly recommend hiring a car with a driver! They know the best hidden spots. Self-driving is not advised for beginners as border roads often have gravel, and snow may require snow chains in October.
🚍 Scenic area transportation: In Arxan National Forest Park, you must purchase a "ticket + sightseeing bus pass." Private cars are not allowed, but the shuttle system is very convenient.

📅 Itinerary Plan
👉 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 Road → 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 → Scotch Pine Scenic Avenue → Qixian Lake Grassland → Hailar

🍲 Must-Try Food List
🍖 Mongolian Cuisine Highlights: Hand-pulled lamb dipped in chive flower sauce, paired with salty milk tea to cut the richness. Freshly slaughtered lamb in Bailang Town has almost no gamey taste.
🍛 Arxan Specialty: Ice-boiled lamb! Frozen spring water with milk is used to cook lamb, ready in 3 minutes. So tender it melts in your mouth.
🥘 Northeastern Flavors: Iron pot stewed goose with corn pancakes. The broth-soaked pancakes are irresistibly delicious. A small portion is enough for two.
🍰 Sweet Treats: Fresh blueberry jam with freshly baked bread. Perfectly sweet and sour, it’s a heartwarming breakfast.

🏡 Accommodation Recommendations
✅ Hailar: Choose a downtown hotel for convenient dining and shopping. It’s an ideal starting point for your trip.
✅ Heishantou: Stay in a yurt with private bathrooms! You can stargaze at the Milky Way at night for an unforgettable experience.
✅ Arxan: If budget allows, opt for a hotel with hot springs. For an immersive experience, stay in a forest cabin. Book a month in advance during peak season.

⚠️ Tips to Avoid Pitfalls
1. Autumn is fire prevention season. Smoking and open flames are strictly prohibited in forest areas. Carry your trash with you.
2. When entering a yurt, walk clockwise and avoid stepping on the threshold. Always ask for permission before photographing herders or reindeer.
3. Avoid low-cost tours, as they often involve shopping traps. Buy souvenirs at large supermarkets in the city, as scenic area prices are inflated.
4. The steps at Arxan Heavenly Lake are steep. Take it slow with elderly or young companions. Arrive early to secure a good spot for viewing the morning mist at the Unfrozen River.