Golden Autumn in Northern Xinjiang!

Complete Guide to Enjoying Fall in Hulunbuir and Arxan.

Autumn in Northern Xinjiang is absolutely stunning! Hulunbuir Grassland turns into a golden carpet, Arxan's forest transforms into caramel hues, and volcanic lakes sparkle like blue sapphires✨. This guide is all you need to plan your trip!

🍂 Essentials for the Trip
👗 Clothing: Quick-dry clothes + wool sweaters + windbreaker/thin down jacket. Temperature difference between day and night exceeds 15°C, so bring a windproof hat and scarf.
👟 Gear: Waterproof high-top hiking boots (many steps on boardwalks), sunglasses, thermos, hand warmers (lifesaver for morning photography), and a wide-angle lens for stunning lake shots.
🛒 Others: Digestive medicine (to adapt to beef and lamb), chocolate (to prevent low blood sugar), offline maps (no signal in some areas), sunscreen, and moisturizers (dry and strong UV).

🚗 Transportation
✈ Major transportation: Fly to Arxan Airport or Hailar Airport. Tickets are in high demand, so book early.
🚘 Local transportation: The two locations are far apart, so renting a car or self-driving is the most flexible option. Inside Arxan National Forest Park, you must take the sightseeing bus; confirm the route direction before boarding.

📅 Itinerary
👉 Day 1: Hailar → Morigele River → Grassland exploration → Ergun Wetland → Birch Forest → Enhe
👉 Day 2: Enhe → Charming town Shiwei → Kaxian → Ulan Mountain Scenic Area → Wuka → Heishantou
👉 Day 3: Heishantou → Border Road → 186 Ribbon River → Visit herders → 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 (Heavenly Lake/Stone Forest/Dujuan Lake/Santan Gorge, etc.)
👉 Day 6: Arxan National Forest Park → Zhangzi Pine Scenic Avenue → Qixian Lake Grassland → Hailar

🏨 Accommodation Recommendations
✅ Enhe: Stay in Russian-style wooden cabins, fall asleep to the scent of pine wood, and enjoy milk tea with rye bread for a cozy experience.
✅ Arxan: If budget allows, choose Oulenburg Villa Resort for stargazing; for value, opt for Nordic-style Mountain Lodge Homestay, where the owner can recommend lesser-known routes.
✅ Unique experience: White Wolf Town Forest Village Homestay, chat around the fireplace in wooden cabins, and immerse yourself in local culture.

🍜 Food Highlights
🍖 Hand-grabbed lamb: Freshly cooked by herders in White Wolf Town, dipped in chive flower sauce, tender and free of gamy taste.
🥘 Forest frog stewed with potatoes: A specialty at farmhouse restaurants in Arxan City, potatoes soak up the broth for a delicious flavor.
🍰 Blueberry jam bread: A breakfast staple at Mountain Lodge Homestay, made with fresh blueberries, perfectly sweet and tangy, paired with freshly baked bread.

⚠️ Notes
1. Mid-September to early October is the golden season; leaves fall and snow starts after National Day, so plan early.
2. Autumn is fire prevention season; smoking and outdoor fires are strictly prohibited in forest areas.
3. Arxan tickets cost 285 RMB, including 7 major attractions and sightseeing bus, valid for 48 hours—keep them safe.
4. When entering a Mongolian yurt, walk clockwise and avoid stepping on the threshold. Ask for permission before taking photos; choose certified venues for horseback riding to ensure safety.