After visiting the Matryoshka Scenic Area in Manzhouli four times, I finally figured out how to make the most of it!

Address:

No. 23, Huabu Street, Manzhouli City, Hulunbuir, Inner Mongolia

Transportation:

🚌 Airport → 15-minute taxi ride directly to the scenic area (approx. ¥30)

🚌 Downtown → Take Bus No. 6 to "Matryoshka Square Station"

🚕 Taxi starting fare is ¥10, around ¥15 from downtown to the scenic area

Introduction:

The Matryoshka Scenic Area is the iconic landmark of Manzhouli✨, designed around the Russian nesting doll theme and blending Chinese, Russian, and Mongolian cultures. The centerpiece is a 30-meter-tall giant matryoshka doll, which houses an oil painting art gallery🎨. The park is divided into four main sections: theme park, Russian-Mongolian cultural performances, Russian-style architecture, and a creative market.

Travel Tips:

1. Best Photo Spots📸
- Front of the castle main building: For panoramic shots without crowds, visit before 9 AM or after 6 PM
- Diagonal side of the giant matryoshka: Low-angle shots for a layered effect
- Nighttime lighting (19:30-22:00): Dazzling lights create a fairy-tale world🌟
2. Must-See Performances🎪
- Russian Circus (15:00 show): Arrive 30 minutes early for front-row seats
- Fountain Light Show (20:00): Combines lights and flame effects
3. Hidden Experiences🔍
- Matryoshka DIY Workshop (Building 2, 3rd floor): Paint your own matryoshka (¥80 per doll)
- Mirror Maze (near Building 1B exit): Free and less crowded, great for fun photos

Recommendations:

- ⏰ Time Management: Allocate at least 5 hours! Enjoy the theme park and exhibitions during the day, and catch performances and night views in the evening
- 👟 Footwear: Comfortable shoes are a must due to the cobblestone paths
- 💰 Ticket Savings: Book online 2 hours in advance (¥190 → ¥175), free for children under 1.2 meters
- 🥵 Note: Some outdoor facilities close in winter; bring a sun hat and sunglasses in summer

Food Recommendations:

🍴 Inside the Scenic Area

- Matryoshka Western Restaurant: Russian-style beef stew with kvass (¥58)
- Leba Bakery: Freshly baked milk-flavored leba bread (¥15 each)

🍖 5-Minute Walk Outside the Scenic Area

- Lubli Western Restaurant (flagship store): Must-try cheese bread and charcoal-grilled sausages
- Nomin Tala Milk Tea House: Authentic Mongolian breakfast with pot tea and fried rice

Accommodation Recommendations:

🏨 Unique Stays Inside the Scenic Area

- Matryoshka Hotel Building 1: Stay inside the giant matryoshka! Rooms feature hand-painted murals and include scenic area tickets (low season ¥600/night)

🏡 Budget-Friendly Options (Downtown)

- Manzhouli Hotel (historic Russian-style building): Prime location, 20-minute walk to the scenic area (¥300/night)
- Shangri-La Hotel: Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the China-Russia border (from ¥500/night)

Nearby Attractions:

1. National Gate Scenic Area (2 km away)
- Climb the North Border Gate to view a Russian town🏙️
- Secret㊙️: Head to the Locomotive Square for better photos of the gate!
2. Sino-Russian Trade Pedestrian Street (Downtown)
- Shop for Russian goods: Purple gold jewelry, amber (look for the "Sino-Russian Trade Zone" blue label✅)
- Avoid❌: "Russian binoculars" from street vendors are often fake
3. Wedding Palace (8-minute drive)
- Gothic church on a hilltop, perfect for free sunset photos🌅

Final Thoughts:

After four visits, I realized: This place isn’t just a photo spot🎪 but a microcosm of three cultures🌈! Spend the day immersed in a Russian fairy tale, stay overnight at the Matryoshka Hotel under the stars✨, and savor a bowl of salty milk tea at dawn to truly understand Manzhouli’s romance.