Complete Guide to a Healing Autumn Trip in Hulunbuir and Arxan

Hulunbuir and Arxan in mid-to-late September are breathtakingly beautiful! Golden waves ripple across the grasslands, forests are painted in vibrant hues, and volcanic landscapes are hidden amidst autumn colors. Here's a practical guide to ensure a smooth trip—no pitfalls!

🌡️ Essentials for the Trip
👗Clothing: With a day-night temperature difference of over 15°C, dress in "onion layers"—quick-dry base layer + fleece mid-layer + outer layer like a windbreaker or light down jacket. Pair jeans with waterproof hiking shoes for practicality.
🕶Must-haves: Hand warmers and a thermos are essential, especially for mornings and evenings. A wide-angle lens is perfect for capturing Tianchi Lake and the forest scenery. Don't forget sunscreen and sunglasses.
🛒Other items: Empty water bottles (to collect spring water at Wuli Spring), offline maps (weak signal in scenic areas), and some cash (useful for small shops).

📅 Itinerary Planning
👉Day 1: Hailar → Morigele River → Grassland exploration → Ergun 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 herder's home → National Gate/Matryoshka Square → Manzhouli
👉Day 4: Manzhouli → Hulun Lake → Rose Peak → Dongyang Train Station → White Wolf Peak → Arxan
👉Day 5: Arxan → Arxan National Forest Park (Tianchi Lake/Stone Forest/Dujuan Lake/Santan Gorge, etc.)
👉Day 6: Arxan National Forest Park → Zhangzi Pine Scenic Avenue → Qixian Lake Grassland → Hailar

🚗 Transportation Guide
✈ Major transportation: Fly to Hailar (Hulunbuir) or Arxan Yiershi Airport. Booking tickets in advance often comes with discounts.
🚘 Local transportation: The distance between the two areas is vast, so renting a car or hiring a driver is essential. There are no direct buses for the Hulunbuir grassland section or around Arxan scenic spots. Car rental costs range from 400-600 RMB per day, and you can share the cost by carpooling.
🚍 Scenic area transportation: Arxan National Forest Park requires purchasing a sightseeing bus ticket (valid for two days). The park is too large to explore on foot.

🏡 Accommodation Recommendations
✅ Hulunbuir: Prioritize staying in Hailar city for convenient transportation and dining. For a grassland experience, choose modernized yurts with heating to avoid the cold and wind of traditional yurts.
- Arxan: Opt for cost-effective hotels in the city or those offering hot springs. Inside the scenic area, stay in wooden cabins at Tianchi Service Area for forest views and sunrise watching.

🍱 Food Highlights
🍖 Must-try Mongolian cuisine: Hand-grabbed lamb with chive flower sauce and crispy roasted lamb ribs.
🥘 Northeastern flavors: Steaming iron pot stew (goose/ribs + corn cakes), which requires advance booking.
🥚 Specialty snacks: Hot spring-boiled eggs from Wuli Spring and wild blueberry preserves.

⚠️ Important Tips
1. Best time: Mid-September to before National Day! After National Day, leaves fall, temperatures drop, and the scenery loses its charm.
2. Avoiding pitfalls: Arxan's "Forest Eye" and "Aolunbukan" have low value for money. Small attractions like Rose Peak are best for exterior photos. Dining in scenic areas is expensive, so bring your own snacks.
3. Safety first: Wear long pants in the forest to prevent ticks, and avoid picking wild fruits to prevent poisoning. Decline "free guides" to avoid being taken to shopping spots.
4. Spending tips: Buy souvenirs at city supermarkets, as prices in scenic areas are doubled. Check menus carefully before ordering to avoid being overcharged.