9 Day In-depth Hulunbuir Discovery & Arxan Tour
Tour Overview
Join this 9-day China adventure in Inner Mongolia to explore the enchanting landscapes and cultural wonders of Hulunbuir and Arxan.
Starting from Hailar, experience the nomadic lifestyle and the Mongolian folk culture on the vast Hulunbuir Grassland and the Erguna Wetland, where the water and the sky merge into one. Understand the Ewenki people at the Aoluguya Reindeer Village, and feed their cute reindeer. Shiwei Russian Village shows us the Russian influence in the region. Enjoy the White Birch Forest along the way to Manzhouli. See the colorful matryoshka dolls at Manzhouli Matryoshka Square.
Head to Arxan City to visit the Arxan UNESCO Global Geopark, finding diverse geological wonders and peaceful attractions including the Heavenly Lake, Three Lakes Gorge, Shitang Forest, Azalea Lake.
Travel destinations: Hailar, Shiwei, Erguna, Heishantou, Manzhouli, Arxan
Suitable for: Culture Explorers, Natural Lovers
Tour type: Private
Highlights of this tour:
- Visit the endless grasslands in Hulunbuir and try optional activities like horse riding.
- Meet the Ewenki people and feed their reindeer at Aoluguya Reindeer Village.
- Learn about the culture and lifestyle at the Aoluguya Museum.
- Catch a panoramic view of the largest wetland in Asia, Erguna Wetland.
- Stroll around Shiwei Russian Town, a border town with a strong Russian flavor.
- Explore diverse volcanic features and landscapes in Arxan UNESCO Global Geopark, such as Heavenly Lake, Three Lakes Gorge, Shitang Forest, and Azalea Lake.
Day-by-day Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrival in Hailar
Welcome to our 9-day Inner Mongolia tour of Hulunbuir. Upon your arrival, a local private driver will pick you up at the airport or train station. Then you will be escorted to the Hailar. The rest of the day is yours to explore at your own pace.
Meal: N/A
Accommodation: in Hailar
- Day 2: Hailar to Erguna TourExplore the World's Largest Grassland and Wetland
Start your guided Inner Mongolia tour after breakfast. Then, embark on a one-hour scenic drive from Hailar to Hulunbuir Grassland, one of the world's largest and most beautiful grasslands. You will appreciate expansive green meadows, a clear blue sky, fluffy white clouds, and grazing sheep on the most beautiful part of the grassland.
Hulunbuir Grassland Take a leisurely walk around Morigele River, a tributary of the Erguna River and the mother river of the Mongolian people. Here you can enjoy some optional activities (for an extra fee), such as horseback riding, archery, and wrestling . We will arrange a Mongolian-styled lunch on the grassland for you, including mutton hot pot, dairy products, and rice wine.
Experience a horse riding on the Hulunbuir Grassland Continue the tour to Erguna Wetland Scenic Area, Asia's largest wetland and a natural habitat for rare birds and plants. From the Erguna Wetland Viewing Platform (32 meters high), you can get a panoramic view of the wetland with a 360-degree perspective.
After exploring the wetland, you will be escorted to check into your hotel in Erguna City, the capital of the Erguna Banner and a border city between China and Russia.
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch
Accommodation: in Erguna
Erguna Wetland Scenic Area - Day 3: Erguna to Shiwei TourUnderstand the Ewenki People and Feed Reindeer Up Close
After breakfast, leave for Aoluguya Reindeer Village, the exclusive location in China where you can encounter the Ewenki people and their reindeer. The Ewenki people, an ethnic minority group, inhabit the forest and rely on hunting and herding reindeer for their livelihood. Have a conversation with friendly locals under the help of your guide; feed their cute reindeer up close, and understand the unique customs.
Aoluguya Reindeer Village Also, pay a visit to the Aoluguya Museum, the first museum in China dedicated to showcasing the history and culture of the Ewenki people. See traditional handicrafts, artworks, clothing, tools in the exhibition halls. Also, watch a documentary telling their lifestyle.
After that, we drive to Shiwei Russian Village, on the Erguna River's bank. In this town, enjoy a leisurely stroll around, immersing yourself in the exotic atmosphere when admiring Russian-style wooden houses and churches. In the late afternoon, capture the amazing sunset view over the Erguna River on a nearby slope.
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch
Accommodation: in Shiwei (in a Russian-style Mukeleng Houses)
Shiwei Russian Town - Day 4: Shiwei to Zhangye Tour by VanWatch the Sunset on the Slope of Heishantou
After breakfast, drive to the Haur River Scenic Area. Hike up to a viewing platform for the grand Haur River view. As the largest tributary of the Argun River, the river forms part of the China-Russia border. Besides, you will see roe deer, red-crowned cranes, white-tailed eagles, and other rare animals and birds.
Keep driving to Heishantou, en route, through the White Birch Forest, an expansive area of birch trees creating a big contrast against the blue sky and green grass. Your guide will tell you a legend - White Birch Princess falling in love with a Mongolian hero.
Heishantou Upon arrival in Heishantou, take a leisurely hike. Go up to the "Sundown Slope" for a panoramic view of the sunset and the surrounding scenery. From this vantage point, observe the border fence and glimpse into Russian territory. The slope derives its name from a famous local poem: "The sun sets on the Sundown Slope, the border is quiet and peaceful."
After sunset, you will be escorted to a nearby Mongolian tribe for an overnight stay. Glimpse the authentic Mongolian lifestyle and feel their hospitality. Learn about Mongolian culture, customs, and music. If weather permits, a Bonfire Party awaits at night.
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch
Accommodation: Mongolian yurt in Heishantou
Sunset from Heishantou - Day 5: Heishantou to Manzhouli TourTake an Optional Boat Tour of Hulun Lake to Feel the Lake Breeze
Enjoy your leisure time in Heishantou in the morning. You can pay extra to ride a horse in a nearby ranch. The staff will guide you and tell you basic horse riding skills. And enjoy riding through the grassland or along the river.
After that, take a scenic drive along the Sino-Russian border road. Parallel to the border fence, you can catch a unique perspective of both countries. See diverse landscapes, architectures, and lifestyles of China and Russia... along with historical and cultural sites like the Zhalainuoer Coal Mine, Ergun Wetland, and Shiwei Church.
Scenery along Sino-Russian border road After 3 hours of driving, you will reach Hulun Lake, also called Dalai Nuur (Sea Lake) in Mongolian. It is in an irregular oblique rectangle with a long axis from southwest to northeast, and the average depth is over 5 meters. You can see eight wonders of Hulun Lake, each with its own unique natural beauty and story. It is highly recommended to take a Hulun Lake ship ride to feel the lake breeze, experience the clear and peaceful waters, visit nearby wetlands.
After that, continue driving to the largest land port in China, Manzhouli for an overnight stay.
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch
Accommodation: in Manzhouli
Hulun Lake - Day 6: Manzhouli to Arxan TourVisit the World's Largest Matryoshka-themed Park
After breakfast, visit Manzhouli Matryoshka Square, the world's largest matryoshka-themed park. Over 200 matryoshkas stand here, with different sizes, designs, and shapes. The largest one is about 30 meters high, which can accommodate 200 people inside. If you like, pick up tiny souvenirs like matryoshka keychains, magnets, and paintings.
Manzhouli Matryoshka Square head Relax in your van when driving to Arxan (for 6 hours), a city in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region renowned for its volcanic geology and hot springs. Along the way, see Greater Khingan Mountains and the Yalu River... Upon arrival, check into your hotel.
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch
Accommodation: in Arxan
- Day 7: Arxan Geopark Exploration TourExplore the Diverse Geological Features of Arxan Geopark
Your Arxan trip takes you to the Arxan UNESCO Global Geopark. Located in the southwestern part of the Daxing’anling range, this world-class park boasts diverse geological features: volcanoes, hot springs, granite peaks, lava deposits, and alpine lakes.
Be guided to explore a volcanic lake, the Heavenly Lake, with an altitude of 1,332.3 meters. Take pictures of beautiful nature with surrounding green pines, silver birch, azaleas, pure sky...
Arxan UNESCO Global Geopark Continue your exploration to Three Lakes Gorge, a scenic spot featuring three ponds: Woniu Pond, Hushi Pond, and Yuexin Pond. Connected by a narrow gorge with rugged cliffs and basaltic lava formations, these ponds showcase distinct shapes and colors. So visitors can have a clear view of the water and the pond bottoms. The unique "glacier in summer" is very special, even during the warmer months.
In addition, visit Shitang Forest. Actually, it is the basaltic lava deposits formed by magma flow after volcanic eruption. You can see them presenting various shapes and patterns, resembling warriors, lions, swords, and rare turtle shells. Observe the larch trees growing on volcanic rocks. Surprisingly, their roots have penetrated the cracks.
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch
Accommodation: in Arxan Geopark
Arxan UNESCO Global Geopark - Day 8: Arxan Back to Hailar TourAppreciate the Beautiful Alpine Azaleas around Azalea Lake
Continue exploring the Arxan UNESCO Global Geopark and visit Azalea Lake. This is an L-shaped lake surrounded by bright azalea flowers. In summer, it is a habitat for ducks, geese, and cranes. In winter, this lake will transform a natural ski resort.
Afterward, be escorted back to Hailar District for the night.
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch
Accommodation: in Hailar
Azalea Lake in Arxan UNESCO Global Geopark - Day 9: Hailar Departure
Enjoy your leisure morning in Hailar until your private driver transfers you to the airport. Your 9 days China tour package of Hulunbuir and Arxan ends here.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: N/A
