A unique hotel transformed from a train carriage, and a fox family right at the door

This time in Hulunbuir Zalainuoer, I unexpectedly discovered an incredibly stunning hidden gem—the Zalainuoer Mammoth Park!
It’s located right next to the Zalainuoer Museum, and the park is themed around the mammoth’s stomach, taking you on a journey back to the Ice Age!
As soon as you get off the car, you’ll see a huge Russian-style “onion dome” castle in the center of the park. Isn’t it fascinating?!
Since it’s called Mammoth Park, the star attraction here has to be the mammoth sculpture group. They’re not just casually made; each one is a one-to-one replica based on mammoth fossils found locally, matching the size and number exactly, with an incredibly high level of detail! Perfect for amazing photos📸!
The rest of the park is quite large, but there’s an electric cart that takes you stop by stop, so it’s not tiring to explore—great for kids or friends to enjoy together. There’s also an artificial lake here, along with unique lakeside guesthouses.

Besides the mammoths, another highlight is the Steam Locomotive Museum—a paradise for railway fans🚂—with an industrial vibe perfect for photos!
As an important station on the former "Chinese Eastern Railway," the steam locomotives here represent over a century of industrial development. The museum commemorates this grand century-long industrial history, from the construction of the Chinese Eastern Railway to the Chinese pursuit and localization of railways, from the development and changes of locomotives used in local mining after the founding of the People’s Republic, to generations of veteran drivers who quietly contributed to the country’s industrialization.
The museum itself is a restoration of the Zalainuoer train station from a hundred years ago, even the pedestrian overpass is a one-to-one replica, making you feel like you’ve traveled back to the booming industrial era! Inside, there’s a huge steam locomotive with a cutaway section so kids can learn about the structure of steam engines, plus interactive mini-games to understand how steam trains work.
The display cases hold many precious steam locomotive models, and the outdoor lawn area houses over 20 retired steam locomotives, where you can even climb into the driver’s cabin for an immersive experience (kids get so excited they scream!). The rusty wheels and tracks tell many stories.

The museum’s outdoor area also features a hotel converted from a train carriage.
One of the old green train carriages has been turned into two suites—with bedrooms, living rooms, and bathrooms, and the conditions are quite good.
Most importantly, on the lawn in front of the door, I actually spotted wild little foxes!!
They were hopping and playing on the grass. I only saw three little ones, but local friends said this little fox den🦊 actually has six family members.
Being this close is a true testament to the harmonious beauty between humans and nature.

🌟 Practical Tips:
Location: Zalainuoer District, Hulunbuir, about a 30-minute drive from Manzhouli
🎫 Tickets: 50 RMB per person, half price for children.
🚗 Transportation: Recommended to rent a car or drive yourself; public transport is inconvenient.
🕒 Visiting time: 4 hours of leisurely strolling is enough; after 4 PM the lighting is best for photos, but staying overnight in the carriage is recommended.
⚠️ Tips: The grassland wind is strong, remember to bring a jacket; nearby Hulun Lake is also worth a visit!

Bring a mammoth mascot for the kids; after posting on social media, I got flooded with questions. It’s truly a niche and worthwhile spot! Highly recommended for those wanting to avoid crowds~❤️