5-Day In-Depth Guide to Hulunbuir, Inner Mongolia

◆ Ideal for: Grassland photography enthusiasts, ethnic culture experiencers, self-driving adventurers

◆ Best season: June-September (lush green in summer, colorful forests in autumn)

◆ Budget reference: ¥2000-3500 per person (including basic equipment rental)

I. Pre-Trip Preparation

1. ★ Essentials
• Documents: ID card, driver's license (mandatory for self-driving)
• Clothing: Windproof jacket, waterproof boots, quick-dry long sleeves (large temperature differences)
• Protection: Mosquito repellent, sunscreen, sunglasses (strong UV)
• Others: Camera spare batteries, power bank (limited charging in pastoral areas)

2. ◆ Transportation Tips
• Getting there:
• Flight: Hulunbuir Dongshan International Airport (Hailar District)
• Train: Transfer via Harbin/Shenyang to Hailar Station (overnight sleeper available)
• Local travel:
• Chartered car: SUV ¥600-800/day (including driver + fuel)
• Self-driving: 4WD recommended (some grassland roads are challenging)

3. ★ Accommodation Recommendations
• Grassland yurts: Hongjila Camp in Heishantou (includes horse riding & archery)
• Traditional Russian log houses: Shiwei Russian Ethnic Village (e.g. "Nadia's Homestay")

II. Itinerary

Day 1: Hailar - Moergen River - Ergun
08:00 Depart Hailar, cross Moergen River (★ aerial view of winding river)
11:00 Visit Barga Mongolian Tribe (experience oboo worship, salty milk tea)
14:00 Arrive at Ergun Wetland (Asia's largest wetland, 2-hour boardwalk hike)
19:00 Stay in Ergun downtown, try Tieshan Cold Dessert (fresh milk ice cream ¥5/scoop)

Day 2: Birch Forest - Enhe - Shiwei
09:00 Birch Forest Scenic Area (¥50 ticket, reindeer interaction + forest trail)
12:00 Enhe Russian Ethnic Village (DIY bread workshop, kvass-braised beef)
15:00 Drive along China-Russia border road to Shiwei Port (¥75 river cruise)
20:00 Dinner at log house (recommend "Maluxia" Russian restaurant)

Day 3: Linjiang - Eagle's Beak - Moerdaoga
06:00 Morning fog photography at Linjiang Village (sunrise over Ergun River)
09:00 Off-road to Eagle's Beak (rock cliffs + wild peony slopes)
13:00 Moerdaoga National Forest Park (¥100 train loop, best autumn foliage)
18:00 Try iron pot stewed goose ("Liu's Stove Fish" locals' favorite)

Day 4: Aoluguya - Genhe - Heishantou
08:00 Aoluguya Reindeer Tribe (¥65 ticket, feed reindeer + visit teepees)
11:00 Genhe Cold Pole Village (China's coldest record -58°C, summer retreat)
15:00 Heishantou Horse Ranch (¥200/hour with professional instructor)
20:00 Grassland bonfire party (stargazing from yurts)

Day 5: 186 Colorful River - Manzhouli
08:00 186 Colorful River (¥100/km grass sliding, border wetland panorama)
12:00 Zhalainuoer Museum (mammoth fossils + coal mining history)
15:00 Manzhouli Matryoshka Square (¥148 ticket, Russian-Mongolian photo spots)
19:00 Lubri Russian Restaurant (try Queen Salad + charcoal-grilled sausages)

III. Food Map ✅ Must-Try List
1. Hand-grabbed mutton
• Recommended: Nuomin Tara Milk Tea House (with wild leek flower sauce)
• Cost: ¥60/person
• Warning: Avoid roadside stalls in scenic areas

2. Buryat steamed buns
• Recommended: Ergun Tieshan Restaurant (beef & onion filling)
• Cost: ¥3 each
• Warning: Beware of frozen pre-made products

3. Russian bread
• Recommended: Enhe Nadia's Bakery (freshly baked with jam)
• Cost: ¥15/jin
• Warning: Packaged bread contains additives

IV. ⚠️ Life-or-Death Precautions
1. Natural risks:
• Frequent grassland thunderstorms - evacuate to roads immediately
• No signal in pastoral areas - download offline maps (OruxMaps)

2. Cultural taboos:
• Don't step on oboo stones - walk clockwise 3 times for blessings
• Never step on yurt thresholds - receive hada scarves with both hands

3. Scams to avoid:
• Confirm horse riding prices upfront - watch for "per-minute" traps
• Be cautious buying "imported amber" in Manzhouli Russian markets (often synthetic)