Autumn Exclusive! A Comprehensive Guide to Hulunbuir and Arxan

In autumn, Hulunbuir and Arxan transform into a divine palette of colors! The grasslands turn golden, and the forests are painted in vibrant hues. Here's a super-detailed guide—save it now!

🍁 Best Time to Visit
⏰ Mid-September to early October is the golden period. The leaves are bright yellow, haystacks dot the grasslands, and sheep leisurely roam around. Every snapshot is wallpaper-worthy. After October, strong winds may blow away the leaves, so plan your trip carefully!

🚥 Transportation Guide
✈ Major Transportation: The most convenient option is to fly directly to Arxan Yiershi Airport, which is a 30-minute taxi ride to the scenic area. Alternatively, fly to Hailar and then drive to connect to the Hulunbuir loop.
🚘 Local Transportation: For Hulunbuir grasslands, self-driving or hiring a car is recommended, allowing you to stop and capture the autumn scenery along the way. Within the Arxan scenic area, take the park's shuttle bus starting from the Tianchi Service Area.

📅 Itinerary Suggestions
👉 Day 1: Hailar → Morigele River → Deep into the Grasslands → Erguna Wetland → Birch Forest → Enhe
👉 Day 2: Enhe → Charming Town of Shiwei → Kaxian → Ulan Mountain Scenic Area → Wuka → Heishantou
👉 Day 3: Heishantou → Border Highway → 186 Ribbon River → Visit a Herdsman’s Home → National Gate/Matryoshka Square → Manzhouli
👉 Day 4: Manzhouli → Hulun Lake → Rose Peak → Dongyang Railway Station → Bailang Peak → Arxan
👉 Day 5: Arxan → Arxan National Forest Park (Tianchi/Stone Forest/Dujuan Lake/Santan Gorge, etc.)
👉 Day 6: Arxan National Forest Park → Zhangzi Pine Scenic Avenue → Qixian Lake Grassland → Hailar

🏡 Accommodation Recommendations
🎪 Hulunbuir: In Heishantou, choose yurts with private bathrooms for a chance to stargaze at the Milky Way. In Manzhouli, city hotels offer great value, or opt for the Matryoshka Hotel for a unique experience.
🏨 Arxan: Stay in the city for convenient dining and shopping. For morning mist, choose homestays near the Tianchi Service Area. For an immersive nature experience, try the wooden cabins in Bailang Mountain.

😋 Must-Try Foods
🍖 Grassland Delicacies: Hand-pulled lamb with chive flower sauce for authentic flavors, crispy roasted lamb ribs, paired with salty milk tea to balance the richness.
🥘 Forest Specialties: Wild mushroom hotpot that's incredibly fresh, stir-fried bracken, and cold yellow daylilies with a touch of wilderness.
☕ Refreshing Snacks: Grassland yogurt sprinkled with fried rice for a sweet and tangy treat. In city supermarkets, grab beef jerky and blueberry jam as affordable souvenirs.

📦 Travel Essentials
👗 Clothing: With significant temperature differences between day and night, bring a lightweight down jacket and a 3-in-1 jacket. Bright shawls are perfect for photos.
🛒 Must-Haves: Sunglasses and wide-brimmed hats for sun protection and great photos, a thermos for hot drinks, and download offline maps as signal coverage in scenic areas can be poor.

⚠️ Tips
1. Tickets for Arxan National Forest Park cost 285 RMB per person and are valid for 48 hours. Must-visit spots include Tuofengling Tianchi and Budong River.
2. For Wusulangzi Lake, arrive early to catch the morning mist. After 8 AM, the mist dissipates, and it becomes ordinary. The nearby blue wooden cabins are great for photos.
3. Some scenic areas have drone restrictions. Check regulations before flying and avoid stepping on vegetation to protect the environment.

Autumn in Hulunbuir and Arxan is a healing landscape in every frame. Go now before the crowds arrive!