Autumn Exclusive: Comprehensive Travel Guide to Hulunbuir and Arxan

Hulunbuir and Arxan in autumn are like stepping into a world of oil paintings! Golden grasslands and yellow birch forests make this babysitter-level guide a must-have.

⏰ Best Time to Visit
🍂 Mid-September to early October is the golden period! The grasslands and forests are at their most vibrant, and in early October, you might catch the rare sight of Arxan’s first snow paired with autumn colors.

🚗 Transportation Guide
✈️ Fly directly to Hailar or Arxan Airport. It’s recommended to rent a car or join a small group tour for flexibility and convenience.
🚌 Purchase the Arxan Scenic Area ticket package for 275 RMB (includes entrance fee and shuttle bus). It’s valid for 48 hours and covers attractions like Tianchi Lake and Santan Gorge.

📅 Itinerary Planning
👉 Day 1: Hailar → Morigele River → Grassland Exploration → Ergun Wetland → Birch Forest → Enhe
👉 Day 2: Enhe → Charming Town of Shiwei → Border Line → 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 → 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

🏡 Accommodation Recommendations
✨ Ergun: Choose hotels near the wetland for easy access to the food street.
✨ Enhe Village: Stay in Russian-style wooden cabins with a soothing pine scent and cozy fireplaces.
✨ Heishantou: Opt for yurts with private bathrooms and enjoy stargazing at night.
✨ Arxan: Stay near the scenic area for convenience in catching early buses the next day.

🍖 Food Highlights
▪️ Must-try Mongolian cuisine: Ice-boiled lamb hotpot, crispy roasted lamb ribs, and hand-held lamb with chive flower dip.
▪️ Forest delicacies: Wild purple flower mushrooms and chicken blood mushrooms featured in mountain feasts.
▪️ Russian flavors: Rye bread, borscht, and Queen’s Salad.
💡 Mongolian dishes are large in portion, so start with smaller servings to sample.

🎒 Travel Essentials
👔 Clothing: Windproof jacket + light down jacket (5°C in the morning/evening vs. 20°C at noon). Bright-colored outfits are great for photos.
🧴 Sun protection: Wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses are a must; the grassland UV is strong.
💊 Medications: Stomach medicine (for lamb and beef dishes) and mosquito repellent (essential for forests).
💡 Carry cash! Signal can be weak in remote grasslands, and gas stations are scarce—remember to refuel fully before setting out.

⚠️ Important Notes
✅ Ask about prices and routes before horseback riding to avoid unexpected charges.
✅ Scenic area toilets may have limited facilities; carry disinfectant wipes.
✅ For photos, choose early morning or dusk lighting. Wear red, white, or blue in birch forests for stunning shots.
✅ Book accommodations in advance! Prices rise during peak season, and rooms can be scarce.

💌 Tips: Climb up for a panoramic view of Morigele River—it’s breathtaking. The haystack clusters deep in the grasslands are perfect for autumn-themed photos. Don’t forget extra power banks to capture all the beauty nonstop!