9 Days Hulunbuir Tour: Hulunbuir Grasland & Arxan UNESCO Global Geopark

Hailar is the main urban district and gateway of Hulunbuir City in Inner Mongolia, China. Known as the "Pearl of the Grasslands," it blends a friendly city vibe with the vast beauty of the surrounding grasslands.

On this day, you will take a flight to Hulunbuir City and arrive at Hailar Dongshan International Airport, which is located about 7 to 10 kilometers east of Hailar’s city center. Upon arrival, our local guide and driver will meet you at the airport. You will be transferred to downtown Hailar in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle - a drive that takes about 15 to 20 minutes. Our guide will assist you with hotel check-in. The rest of the day is free for you to explore Hailar at your own pace.

Free Time Ideas (Depending on Arrival Time):

If you arrive in Hailar early, you can explore the city at your own pace. Asia Odyssey Travel recommends starting with Genghis Khan Square (成吉思汗广场), the city’s iconic landmark. Here, you’ll find impressive statues, including the grand statue of Genghis Khan on horseback - symbolizing strength, unity, and the spirit of the grasslands.

Next, visit the Hulunbuir National Museum (呼伦贝尔民族博物馆). This museum offers fascinating exhibits about the region’s diverse ethnic groups, grassland culture, and rich history.

If time permits, head to Hailar Old Town (海拉尔古城). Stroll through reconstructed historic streets with a blend of architectural styles, enjoy folk performances, and shop for local crafts.

Finally, make your way to the Hailar Night Market (海拉尔夜市) to experience the city’s vibrant evening atmosphere and sample some local specialties.

After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel in Hailar. Then, you’ll set off for the Hulunbuir Grassland, known as “the most beautiful grassland in China.” This region is famous for its endless rolling meadows, blue skies, and a stunning mosaic of rivers, forests, and wetlands.

Your first destination is the Morigele River, one of the most iconic and beautiful rivers on the Hulunbuir Grassland. The Morigele River is renowned for its winding, serpentine path - often called “the First Winding River under Heaven.” Flowing gracefully across the vast steppe, it is often described as a silver necklace adorning the grassland. Here, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to take amazing photos: both banks of the river are covered with lush grass and dotted with grazing cattle and sheep, creating a classic grassland landscape. If you wish, you can also experience horseback riding and archery (optional experience, extra fees) at the local Mongolian camps. Riding along the riverbank or across the grassland offers an unforgettable and immersive adventure.

After exploring the grassland, you will continue to the Erguna Wetland. This is the largest and best-preserved natural wetland in China, often referred to as the “No. 1 Wetland in Asia.” Covering about 12,000 hectares, the wetland features gently rolling terrain, a dense network of rivers and streams (mainly formed by the Ergun River and its tributaries), and a rich variety of plant and animal life. Upon arrival, you can walk along wooden walkways to the main viewing platform, where you’ll enjoy panoramic views of the winding rivers and the vast wetland. Strolling on the boardwalks allows you to explore forests, meadows, and riversides up close, getting a closer look at the wetland’s unique plants and birds. (Optional: A sightseeing bus is available from the entrance to the viewing platform for an additional fee.)

Travel Tips:

1. Best time to visit:June to September (summer and autumn), when the scenery is at its greenest and most vibrant.
2. What to bring:Sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and insect repellent in summer; photographers may want to bring a telephoto lens.

After the tour, you will be transferred to Genhe city - China’s “Cold Pole”. It is about 129km, about 2 hours’ drive. Stay overnight in Genhe.

After breakfast, set out for a day filled with ethnic culture and stunning landscapes. Your first stop is the Oruguya Evenki Ethnic Tribe (Aoluguya Reindeer Tribe, 敖鲁古雅鄂温克驯鹿部落), about 5km (20 minutes by car). This is the only ethnic community in China that raises reindeer and is known as the country’s “Last Hunting Tribe.”

The Evenki people are among China’s earliest reindeer herders, with a history of more than 300 years. Traditionally, they lived a nomadic lifestyle, relying on hunting, reindeer herding, and foraging. They migrated with the seasons and lived in close harmony with the forests and their animals.

Reindeer play a vital role in Evenki life. Known as the “boats of the forest,” reindeer are essential for transportation, carrying goods, providing food, and holding deep spiritual meaning for the tribe. During your visit, you can observe, feed, and gently touch the reindeer, and take photos with them - experiencing the special connection between people and animals.

After your visit, continue to Mordaoga National Forest Park (莫尔道嘎国家森林公园), which is about 130km & 2hrs by car. Nestled in the heart of the Greater Khingan Range, this park is one of the best-preserved and most pristine cold-temperate forest ecosystems in northern China, often called the “Oxygen Bar of the North.”

The park features vast stretches of larch, birch, and Scots pine forests, along with spruce, fir, and oak trees. The landscape transforms with the seasons: lush green in summer, vibrant with color in autumn, and blanketed with snow in winter. You’ll have the opportunity to walk along scenic hiking trails and experience the forest up close.

If you need: Optional Forest Train (extra fee needed):

The park also offers a charming forest train experience. The train makes 4 stops. The entire train ride takes about 1 h and 40 m, providing a relaxing way to immerse yourself in the park’s peace and beauty.

After the tour, you will be transferred to Shiwei (78 km, about 1.5-hour drive). Shiwei is a Russian-style town located right on the border between China and Russia. Here, you will see onion-domed wooden houses, colorful fences, and Russian-style churches lining the streets. Stay overnight in Shiwei.

After breakfast, you will set out for your next destination and say goodbye to Shiwei. This section of the journey is considered one of the most beautiful drives in Hulunbuir. Along the way, you’ll enjoy stunning river views, rolling grasslands, birch forests, wetlands, authentic Russian villages, and peaceful countryside scenery.

First, you will visit the Haur River Scenic Area (40 km & half an hour by car). The Haur River’s winding course creates the unique “Nine Bends and Eighteen Turns” landscape. You will get to the observation deck and high points for breathtaking panoramic views. You can walk through tranquil birch woods along the riverbanks. In spring and summer, the forests are lush and green; in autumn, they turn golden, creating a fairy-tale atmosphere. Totally relaxing trip in this area.

Next, a scenic 1-hour drive brings us to Enhe, China’s only official Russian ethnic township.

We will step inside a traditional hand-hewn log cabin (Mukeden) to visit a local Russian-Chinese family. This immersive cultural exchange offers an intimate look into their daily customs, syncretic lifestyle, and deep-rooted Orthodox Christian traditions. Your hosts will welcome you with traditional hospitality, followed by a private performance of classic Russian folk music. Tap your feet to the lively tunes of traditional instruments like the bayan (accordion) and listen to soulful heritage songs that capture the spirit of this cross-cultural borderland. (Drive from Ha'er River to Enhe: Approx. 50 km / 1 hour)

Afterwards, you will drive for another 1-2 hours to reach Heishantou. Heishantou is one of the best places in Hulunbuir for horseback riding, with vast, unspoiled grassland pastures. (Optional experience, extra expenses on your own: Here, you can enjoy a variety of activities, such as riding across the grassland, climbing hills on horseback, and galloping through the open steppe, truly feeling the freedom of the grasslands.)

When evening falls, Heishantou is famous for having one of the most beautiful sunsets in Hulunbuir. You can climb up to the Heishantou viewing platform or ride to higher ground for a panoramic view of endless grasslands and the winding Ergun River. At sunset, the sky glows gold, orange, and purple, with the grasslands and river reflecting the beautiful colors - perfect for photography or simply enjoying the moment.

In the evening, experience staying in a traditional Mongolian yurt on the grassland. At night, join a bonfire party under the stars, enjoying Mongolian singing, dancing, wrestling, and archery. It will be a joyful night on the grassland.

This morning, wake up early to catch a breathtaking sunrise over the endless horizon of the Heishantou Grasslands—a magical optional moment where the morning light gently awakens the sleeping steppe.

Following breakfast, we head to a traditional Mongolian Ranch. This morning is packed with authentic and playful cultural experiences. Hop on the fun "Oil Drum Mini-Train" for a breezy ride through the grass, dress up in vibrant, traditional Mongolian costumes for a memorable photoshoot, and try your hand at Mongolian archery.

You will also get to step inside a yurt to sip authentic Mongolian milk tea, sample fresh dairy delicacies, and enjoy a hands-on moment feeding adorable local lambs. It is an active, engaging dive into the warm hospitality of the grassland nomads.

Later, head to Manzhouli and begin your visit at the Guomen Scenic Area (China-Russia Border Gate). Admire the impressive architecture of the border gate, overlook the railway junction between China and Russia, and catch a glimpse of the Russian town of Zabaikalsk.

Next, visit Matryoshka Square (Russian Matryoshka Doll Square). This themed square, featuring giant Russian nesting dolls, is one of the most exotic and photogenic landmarks in Manzhouli. Take time to appreciate the colorful, oversized matryoshka dolls, Russian-style buildings, fountains, and sculptures.

Stay overnight in Manzhouli.

On this day, you will have a beautiful time when wake up on the grassland. And after breakfast, let’s move to Manzhouli. Leaving Heishantou, your car glides along smooth, open roads that seem to stretch endlessly across the green carpet of the grasslands. In summer, the prairie is lush and dotted with wildflowers; in autumn, it turns golden and gently undulates under the wide sky. Herds of cattle, sheep, and horses graze freely, adding life and movement to the tranquil panorama.

After 3.5-hour drive, you will arrive at Hulun Lake, located about 40 km south of Manzhouli. As the largest lake in Inner Mongolia and the fifth largest freshwater lake in China, Hulun Lake covers an impressive 2,339 square kilometers, stretching roughly 93 km from east to west and 35 km from north to south. Around the lake, you will be greeted by breathtaking lakeside scenery and the tranquil beauty of pastoral life. Herds of cattle, sheep, and horses graze freely along the water’s edge, and you can also enjoy birdwatching.

After exploring the scenic shores of Lake Hulun, we will drive southward to Ganzhuer Temple, the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in the Hulunbuir region.

The temple owes its name to the sacred Ganjur (a massive collection of Tibetan and Mongolian Buddhist scriptures) once treasured within its walls. As you wander through the complex, you will be captivated by its striking architecture—a masterfully blended design that seamlessly fuses Han Chinese, Mongolian, and Tibetan cultural styles. Take your time to soak in the serene atmosphere, admire the intricate artwork, and learn about the profound spiritual history that has guided the grassland nomads for centuries.

(Drive from Lake Hulun to Ganzhuer Temple: Approx. 160 km / 2 hours)

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel in Amugulang before checking out. Today, we leave the open pastures behind and head south toward the spectacular Arxan National Forest Park, nestled in the southwest foothills of the Greater Khingan Mountains. The scenic drive transitions from endless grasslands to dense, rolling forests and dramatic volcanic landscapes.

Upon arrival, dive into the natural masterworks of Arxan. We will explore key highlights within the park, including Arxan Tianchi (Heavenly Lake)—a breathtaking, crescent-shaped crater lake formed over hundreds of thousands of years, perched high on an alpine peak.

Walk along the well-maintained boardwalks of the Shitanglin (Stone Pond Forest), where a resilient forest grows directly out of jagged, black basalt lava fields, creating a striking contrast of raw geology and vibrant life.

After a full day of breathing in the crisp, mountain air and exploring the park's wonders, check into your local lodge nestled inside the forest park. Enjoy a peaceful evening surrounded by the serene sounds of nature.

(Drive from Amugulang to Arxan Forest Park: Approx. 220 km / 3 hours)

Awaken to the crisp, fresh air of the forest. After breakfast, we will visit Santanxia (Three-Pond Gorge), one of Arxan's most picturesque alpine canyon valleys.

Enjoy a refreshing morning walk along a 3-kilometer boardwalk tracing the Halaha River. The gorge gets its name from three distinct, interconnected pools—Wolong Pond, Hujie Pond, and Yuexin Pond—where pristine mountain waters cascade over black basalt rocks, framed by dense pine and larch forests.

Later, visit the breathtaking volcanic barrier lake—Azalea Lake, formed by ancient lava flows blocking the river. It owes its name to the vibrant wild azaleas that carpet its shores every spring.

After concluding our sightseeing, we will board our vehicle and begin our return journey north toward Hailar. The 340 km drive offers a stunning visual transition, watching the dense volcanic forests gradually open back up into the rolling horizons of the Hulunbuir Steppe.

(Drive from Arxan Forest Park to Hailar: Approx. 340 km / 4.5 hours)

Upon arrival in Hailar in the late afternoon, check into your hotel. Enjoy your final evening at leisure to relax, shop for local specialties like dried beef, or savor a farewell dinner to celebrate the conclusion of your epic overland adventure.

Today after breakfast, depending on your flight schedule, you will have some free time this morning for last-minute souvenir shopping or a final stroll through the streets of Hailar.

Your private driver will meet you at the hotel lobby at the designated time and escort you to the Hulunbuir Hailar Airport (HLD) for your departure flight to your next destination.

(Drive from Hailar city center to Airport: Approx. 8 km / 20 mins)

Your epic 9 Days Hulunbuir Tour through the grand grasslands of Hulunbuir and the volcanic wonders of Arxan concludes here. Safe travels home!