Hulunbuir's 22°C Summer | 5-Day 4-Night Grassland + Forest + Exotic Experience
| Escape the scorching heat! Step into a 250,000-square-kilometer cool paradise! Endless green carpets, herds of cattle and sheep, winding rivers, primeval forests, exotic border towns... Summer in Hulunbuir is synonymous with freedom and coolness. Budget-friendly, ideal for self-driving/chartered cars—save this guide now!
📍 Itinerary Overview
● Theme: Grassland galloping + Forest exploration + Russian-Mongolian culture + Horseback riding & archery + Starry skies
● Duration: 5 days 4 nights (The vast grassland requires at least 5 days to experience its essence)
● Budget: Approx. ¥2,500 - ¥3,500/person (includes meals, accommodation, transport, and tickets; flexible based on preferences)
✦ Best Season:
✦ Peak: Mid-June to mid-August. July is the most beautiful! 🌿 Lush grass, 🌼 wildflowers in full bloom, ☀️ most comfortable temperatures (20-28°C daytime, 10-15°C nighttime).
✦ Avoid: Grass turns yellow after September; snow possible after National Day.
🚗 Transport Guide (Highly recommend chartered/self-driving!)
1. Major Transport:
✦ Flight: Arrive at ✈ Hailar Dongshan Airport (HLD). Most cities require transfers via Hohhot/Beijing/Harbin. The airport is close to downtown.
✦ Train: Arrive at Hailar Station. Direct trains from Harbin/Shenyang/Beijing; suitable for those with ample time.
2. Local Transport (Key!):
✦ 🚗 Chartered car (with driver): Strongly recommended! Top choice! Local drivers know the roads, hidden spots, and can help book accommodations (Standard SUV: ~¥600-800/day, includes fuel and driver).
✦ 🚙 Self-driving: Suitable for experienced drivers. Roads are generally good, but some border roads/dirt paths can be challenging. Book early!
✦ 🚌 Group tour bus: Low flexibility, poor experience—not recommended.
✦ Local buses: Only within cities; no public transport between attractions.
🏡 Accommodation Recommendations (Diverse experiences)
● Hailar / Manzhouli: Comfortable urban options. Wide hotel selection with good facilities. Ideal for first/last night.
✦ E.g.: 4-star hotels, boutique hotels (Price: ¥300 - ¥600/night).
✦ Enhe / Shiwei / Linjiang: Russian-style wooden houses! Stay in colorful Russian-style lodges for an exotic vibe. Mostly homestays.
✦ E.g.: Unique wooden homestays (Price: ¥200 - ¥500/night).
● Heishantou: Grassland yurts! Immersive grassland stay with starry nights. Conditions vary; choose brick yurts or premium ones.
✦ E.g.: Modern brick yurts, stargazing yurts (Price: ¥300 - ¥800+/night).
● Inside Arxan National Forest Park: Convenient for next-day exploration. Mostly forest-themed hotels/guesthouses (Basic conditions, ¥250 - ¥500/night).
📍 Core Itinerary (Classic North Loop, 5 days 4 nights)
Day 1: First Impressions of the Grassland, Gather in Hailar
● All day: Arrive in Hailar, pick up car/contact chartered driver. Buy snacks/water (few rest stops en route).
● Afternoon:
✦ Visit World Anti-Fascist War Hailar Memorial Park (Underground tunnels are impressive; optional).
✦ Explore 🐂 Genghis Khan Square, feel the roots of Mongol culture.
● Dinner: Try authentic 🐑 Mongolian cuisine in Hailar—hand-grabbed meat, milk tea, Buryat dumplings, blood sausage.
● Stay: Hailar city hotel.
Day 2: Cross the Moergen River, Visit Russian Villages
● Morning (Highlight): Deep into the Moergen River Grassland
✦ Highlights: "The First Bend Under Heaven!" Head to 🌄 Cliff/Muyun Mountain (best viewpoint) for winding rivers and herds.
✦ Note: Some paths require off-road vehicles/local guides (standard SUVs can take regular roads to viewpoints).
● Lunch: Simple meal en route or in Ergun city.
● Afternoon:
✦ Hike Ergun Wetland (Asia's largest wetland): Panoramic views (Ticket + shuttle: ¥65).
✦ Drive to 🏡 Enhe Russian Ethnic Village. Pass sunflower fields (Peak in July!).
● Evening: Stroll Enhe, bike, try 🪆 bread-making/painting matryoshka dolls.
✦ Dinner & Stay: Enhe wooden homestay, Russian home-style dishes.
Day 3: Border Scenery, Horseback Riding in Heishantou
● Morning:
✦ Depart Enhe, pass 🎨 Shiwei Port (view Russian villages).
✦ Drive the stunning border road (Ka Line): Qika - Jiuka - Heishantou. Stop for photos!
● Lunch: Small towns or Heishantou.
● Afternoon (Highlight): 🐎 Horseback riding & Sunset Hill
✦ Ride: Choose licensed ranches with gear (1-2 hours, ¥200-300/person).
✦ Sunset Hill: Drive/hike up for breathtaking wetland views.
● Dinner: Heishantou roasted lamb (best for groups).
● Stay: Heishantou yurt (starry skies ✨).
Day 4: Bustling Border City, Nighttime Manzhouli
● Morning: Head to 🎪 186 Ribbon River: Longest grassland slide (¥100), wetland views.
● Noon: Stop at 🐫 Hulieyetu/Zhalainuoer, visit Mammoth Park (optional).
● Afternoon: Arrive 🏰 Manzhouli!
✦ Visit China-Russia Border Gate (Ticket: ¥128): See the iconic gate.
✦ Explore Matryoshka Square (Free exterior; paid amusement park).
● Evening (Highlight): Manzhouli’s dazzling lights—like a fairy tale!
● Dinner: Lublinskiy (Russian cuisine; queue early) or local Mongol food.
● Stay: Manzhouli city hotel.
Day 5: Return to Hailar, Farewell to the Grassland
● Morning:
✦ Free time in Manzhouli: Buy 🛍️ Russian/Mongol souvenirs (dolls, chocolate, vodka, dairy, beef jerky).
✦ Or detour to 🌊 Hulun Lake (Zhalainuoer): "Lake like the sea" (View from afar or enter: ¥40).
● Afternoon: Drive back to Hailar via Suiman Highway/G301, transfer to airport/station.
💰 Budget Estimate (Per person, 4 sharing a car)
● Transport: Chartered car (5 days) ≈ ¥750-1,000
● Stay: ¥300/night × 4 = ¥1,200 (mid-range)
● Meals: ¥100/day × 5 = ¥500
● Tickets: Ergun Wetland ¥65 + 186 Ribbon River slide ¥100 + Border Gate (optional) ¥128 ≈ ¥293
● Activities: Horseback ¥200 + Bread-making ¥50 ≈ ¥250
● Total: ~¥2,993 (Mid-range; can be lower by skipping activities).
📌 Travel Tips (Crucial!)
1. Transport is key: Book chartered/self-drive 1-2 months early! Confirm driver’s knowledge of off-road routes.
2. Sun & bug & warmth protection:
☀️ Strong UV! Hats, sunglasses, SPF50+ sunscreen.
🦟 Mosquitoes! Heavy in July—DEET spray, nets, long sleeves.
🧥 Cold nights! Down jacket/windbreaker essential.
3. Book stays early: July is peak! Enhe, Heishantou yurts, Manzhouli hotels need 1-2 months’ notice.
4. Horse safety: Use insured ranches, wear gear, follow guides.
5. Border rules: On Ka Line, use flight mode to avoid Russian signals. No drones near borders.
6. Respect customs: Don’t step on yurt thresholds; toast politely. Avoid disturbing livestock.
7. Manage expectations: Scenery depends on weather. Some spots are touristy.
8. Cash: Needed in remote areas/for activities.
✨ Hulunbuir’s summer is boundless green, cotton-candy clouds, and 24/7 cool freedom. In 5 days, race across endless grasslands, sleep under stars, savor fresh lamb, and let 22°C breezes banish the heat! 🌾🐎✨