5-Day In-Depth Guide to Hulunbuir, Inner Mongolia

◆ Ideal for: Grassland photography enthusiasts, ethnic culture experiencers, self-driving adventurers ◆ Best season: June-September (lush green in summer, colorful forests in autumn) ◆ Budget reference: ¥2000-3500 per person (including basic equipment rental) I. Pre-Trip Preparation 1. ★ Essentials • Documents: ID card, driver's license (mandatory for self-driving) • Clothing: Windproof jacket, waterproof boots, quick-dry long sleeves (large temperature differences) • Protection: Mosquito repellent, sunscreen, sunglasses (strong UV) • Others: Camera spare batteries, power bank (limited charging in pastoral areas) 2. ◆ Transportation Tips • Getting there: • Flight: Hulunbuir Dongshan International Airport (Hailar District) • Train: Transfer via Harbin/Shenyang to Hailar Station (overnight sleeper available) • Local travel: • Chartered car: SUV ¥600-800/day (including driver + fuel) • Self-driving: 4WD recommended (some grassland roads are challenging) 3. ★ Accommodation Recommendations • Grassland yurts: Hongjila Camp in Heishantou (includes horse riding & archery) • Traditional Russian log houses: Shiwei Russian Ethnic Village (e.g. "Nadia's Homestay") II. Itinerary Day 1: Hailar - Moergen River - Ergun 08:00 Depart Hailar, cross Moergen River (★ aerial view of winding river) 11:00 Visit Barga Mongolian Tribe (experience oboo worship, salty milk tea) 14:00 Arrive at Ergun Wetland (Asia's largest wetland, 2-hour boardwalk hike) 19:00 Stay in Ergun downtown, try Tieshan Cold Dessert (fresh milk ice cream ¥5/scoop) Day 2: Birch Forest - Enhe - Shiwei 09:00 Birch Forest Scenic Area (¥50 ticket, reindeer interaction + forest trail) 12:00 Enhe Russian Ethnic Village (DIY bread workshop, kvass-braised beef) 15:00 Drive along China-Russia border road to Shiwei Port (¥75 river cruise) 20:00 Dinner at log house (recommend "Maluxia" Russian restaurant) Day 3: Linjiang - Eagle's Beak - Moerdaoga 06:00 Morning fog photography at Linjiang Village (sunrise over Ergun River) 09:00 Off-road to Eagle's Beak (rock cliffs + wild peony slopes) 13:00 Moerdaoga National Forest Park (¥100 train loop, best autumn foliage) 18:00 Try iron pot stewed goose ("Liu's Stove Fish" locals' favorite) Day 4: Aoluguya - Genhe - Heishantou 08:00 Aoluguya Reindeer Tribe (¥65 ticket, feed reindeer + visit teepees) 11:00 Genhe Cold Pole Village (China's coldest record -58°C, summer retreat) 15:00 Heishantou Horse Ranch (¥200/hour with professional instructor) 20:00 Grassland bonfire party (stargazing from yurts) Day 5: 186 Colorful River - Manzhouli 08:00 186 Colorful River (¥100/km grass sliding, border wetland panorama) 12:00 Zhalainuoer Museum (mammoth fossils + coal mining history) 15:00 Manzhouli Matryoshka Square (¥148 ticket, Russian-Mongolian photo spots) 19:00 Lubri Russian Restaurant (try Queen Salad + charcoal-grilled sausages) III. Food Map ✅ Must-Try List 1. Hand-grabbed mutton • Recommended: Nuomin Tara Milk Tea House (with wild leek flower sauce) • Cost: ¥60/person • Warning: Avoid roadside stalls in scenic areas 2. Buryat steamed buns • Recommended: Ergun Tieshan Restaurant (beef & onion filling) • Cost: ¥3 each • Warning: Beware of frozen pre-made products 3. Russian bread • Recommended: Enhe Nadia's Bakery (freshly baked with jam) • Cost: ¥15/jin • Warning: Packaged bread contains additives IV. ⚠️ Life-or-Death Precautions 1. Natural risks: • Frequent grassland thunderstorms - evacuate to roads immediately • No signal in pastoral areas - download offline maps (OruxMaps) 2. Cultural taboos: • Don't step on oboo stones - walk clockwise 3 times for blessings • Never step on yurt thresholds - receive hada scarves with both hands 3. Scams to avoid: • Confirm horse riding prices upfront - watch for "per-minute" traps • Be cautious buying "imported amber" in Manzhouli Russian markets (often synthetic)