First Self-Driving Trip in China: Sharing My Journey to the Hulunbuir Plateau

After visiting several major cities in China, I started to develop an interest in self-driving trips to remote areas. During my itinerary in Northeast China, I found a gap in my schedule and decided to plan a self-driving trip to the Hulunbuir Plateau in Inner Mongolia. I referred to various route suggestions and recommendations for car rentals from books, but as someone who enjoys learning by doing, I preferred to handle everything myself. Since I was the sole driver for the entire 8-day trip, I avoided overloading my schedule to prevent exhaustion. The itinerary below could actually be completed in 5-6 days if planned more tightly. However, the purpose of travel is to relax and rejuvenate, not to conquer anything, so it ultimately depends on personal preferences!

Day 1: Pick up the car at Hailar Station → Genghis Khan Square → Victory Wholesale Market → Lubuli Restaurant → Night market at Hulunbuir Old Town → Stay overnight in Hailar City
Day 2: Morning market in Hailar Hexi → One Pagoda and Two Temples → Dalai Jinlin Temple → Morigele River Scenic Area → Stay overnight in Ergun City
Day 3: Ergun City → Ergun National Wetland Park → Aoluguya Reindeer Tribe → Stay overnight in Genhe
Day 4: Genhe → Deer Park in Deerbul → Cross through Moerdaoga National Forest Park → Taiping Village → Eagle’s Mouth → Stay overnight in Linjiang Village (watch sunset on the hill)
Day 5: Linjiang Village → Shiwei Port → Border defense checkpoints: Jiuka, Baka, Qika → Ulan Mountain Scenic Area Visitor Center (restrooms available) → Liuka, Wuka → Heishantou → Stay overnight in Heishantou Mongolian Yurt
Day 6: Heishantou → 186 Colorful Ribbon River → Mammoth Park → Zhalainuoer Museum → Wedding Palace → Beihu Park → Zhong-Soviet Golden Street → Stay overnight in Manzhouli
Day 7: Manzhouli → Hulun Lake Genghis Khan Horse Hitching Post → China-Russia-Mongolia Border Scenic Area → Matryoshka Square → Stay overnight in Manzhouli
Day 8: Manzhouli → Balhu Tribe Horse Dance Show → Shopping in Hailar City → Return the car at Hailar Airport

Post by Chengchichi | Aug 24, 2025