Autumn Adventure: 6-Day Travel Guide to Hulunbuir and Arxan

Autumn in Hulunbuir is simply breathtaking! Golden grasslands and colorful forests create a stunning palette. This guide covers all essentials for your trip, including accommodations, activities, and must-try foods—just follow along!

🍂 Best Time to Visit
Mid-September to early October. The autumn scenery lasts only 3-4 weeks, with grasslands and forests blending into a perfect visual feast. Miss it, and you'll have to wait another year.

🎒 Travel Essentials
👗 Clothing: Bring a windbreaker, lightweight down jacket, and fleece-lined pants! Daytime temperatures hover around 18°C, but mornings and evenings drop to 2-3°C, with significant temperature differences.
🛒 Other Items: SPF 50+ sunscreen, lip balm, hand cream (it's very dry), ID card and discount certificates, as well as essential medications like stomach and cold remedies.
📸 Electronics: Pack a power bank—there’s so much beauty to capture, and your devices will drain quickly.

🚗 Transportation
Opt for a local private car tour! Attractions are scattered and far apart, and private cars allow for flexible stops and photo opportunities. Drivers often double as guides, ensuring a hassle-free experience without shopping detours.
Fly into Hailar Airport and follow a circular route without backtracking. A 7-day itinerary is perfect for an in-depth exploration.

📅 Itinerary
👉 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 Rainbow River → Visit a Herding Family → 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 Pool/Stone Forest/Dujuan Lake/Santan Gorge, etc.)
👉 Day 6: Arxan National Forest Park → Zhangzi Pine Scenic Avenue → Qixian Lake Grassland → Hailar

🏨 Accommodation Recommendations
✅ Hulunbuir Section: Stay in a Russian-style wooden cabin in Enhe, complete with a cozy fireplace for an authentic vibe. In Heishantou, opt for a Mongolian yurt and enjoy a bonfire party.
✅ Arxan Section: In the city, book Saint Petersburg Grand Hotel, featuring trendy matryoshka doll-themed decor perfect for photos. For convenience and relaxation, choose the Weijing Resort Hotel near the scenic area, which also offers hot springs.
⚠️ Book accommodations 10-15 days in advance, as wooden cabins are highly sought after!

😋 Must-Try Foods
🍖 Mongolian Cuisine: Savor hand-grabbed lamb and roasted whole sheep, paired with salty milk tea for a rich, authentic taste.
🥘 Mountain Delicacies: Arxan wild mushroom hotpot with wild fungi and Korqin lamb—so fresh it’s unforgettable.
🍛 Local Specialties: Northeast-style iron pot stew with cornbread dipped in broth is divine; ice-boiled lamb is tender and a must-try.

❗ Important Tips
1. Respect local customs: Remove your shoes before entering a Mongolian yurt and use both hands when handing items.
2. Many accommodations don’t provide toiletries, so bring your own slippers and dental kit.
3. Must-visit spots in Arxan National Forest Park include the Heavenly Pool and Dujuan Lake—allocate a full day for exploration.
4. Don’t miss the stunning night views in Manzhouli; Matryoshka Square lights up like a fairy tale world.

The vast grasslands, vibrant forests, and soothing hot springs make autumn in Inner Mongolia a truly healing experience. Pack your bags and start your adventure now!