A Golden Autumn Journey to Hulunbuir and Arxan

Autumn in Hulunbuir and Arxan is like a spilled palette of colors 🎨. The grasslands are draped in golden hues, and the forests are a riot of colors, with every corner breathtakingly beautiful. Keep this guide handy to fully immerse yourself in the stunning autumn scenery!

🧳 Essentials for the Trip
👚 Clothing: The temperature difference between day and night is significant, so bring plenty of warm clothing. Start with quick-dry base layers, add fleece, and top it off with a windproof and waterproof jacket or a lightweight down jacket. Opt for warm pants and waterproof hiking boots. Don’t forget gloves, scarves, and windproof hats. For early morning photography, bring hand warmers.
🧴 Skincare: The high-altitude UV rays are strong, and the climate is dry. Sunscreen, moisturizing skincare products, and lip balm are must-haves.
📷 Other: Pack a power bank, a raincoat (more practical than an umbrella), and a wide-angle lens camera for capturing stunning landscapes. Also, bring digestive medicine, common medications, and some chocolate.

📅 Itinerary
👉 Day 1: Hailar → Morigele River → Grassland Exploration → Erguna Wetland → Birch Forest → Enhe
👉 Day 2: Enhe → Charming Town of Shiwei → Kaxian Road → Wulan 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 (Heavenly Lake/Stone Forest/Dujuan Lake/Santan Gorge, etc.)
👉 Day 6: Arxan National Forest Park → Scotch Pine Scenic Avenue → Qixian Lake Grassland → Hailar

🚥 Transportation Guide
✈ Major Transportation: Direct flights to Hailar or Arxan are limited. Alternatively, take an overnight train to Hailar.
🚘 Local Transportation: The distance between the two areas is vast, so it’s recommended to hire a car or join a tour for convenience. Self-driving is not advised for beginners as some road conditions can be challenging. Within the Arxan Scenic Area, you must take the sightseeing bus (105 RMB, valid for two days).

🎪 Accommodation Recommendations
🏠 Hulunbuir: Enhe Russian Ethnic Township is highly recommended for its unique wooden houses and exotic charm. Heishantou is also a great option, especially for its stunning sunsets.
🏡 Arxan: In the city, stay near the train station for easy access to food and entertainment. Within the scenic area, stay at the Heavenly Lake Service Area, close to the sightseeing bus starting point.

🍱 Food Highlights
🥩 Hulunbuir: Try the hand-held lamb, especially the bone-in cuts for the most authentic flavor. Roasted lamb leg is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Don’t miss milk tea paired with milk curds, and Enhe’s Russian bread is a must-try.
🍲 Arxan: The forest stews are incredibly fresh, featuring mushrooms and black fungus as gifts from nature. Hot spring eggs are also worth a try. In the city, you can find imported Russian snacks.

📢 Tips and Reminders
1. Signal reception in scenic areas can be poor, so download offline maps in advance and carry some cash just in case.
2. The Heavenly Lake and Bailang Peak have stairways and boardwalks. Elderly and children should assess their physical condition before visiting. Non-slip hiking shoes are essential.
3. Avoid stepping on vegetation while taking photos to protect the environment. The morning mist at the Unfrozen River is stunning, so wake up early for the best views around sunrise.
4. The Heavenly Lake in Arxan has many steps. If your energy is limited, prioritize visiting the Tuofengling Heavenly Lake, which is exceptionally picturesque.

Pack your bags and get ready for this golden autumn rendezvous!