Summer (June August): The daytime temperature is relatively high, but it may get cooler at night. Bring summer clothes like short-sleeved shirts, shorts, as well as long-sleeved jackets and long pants.
Spring and Autumn (May, September): The temperature gradually drops. Prepare thick jackets, sweaters, long johns, etc.
Winter (December February): It’s very cold. You need to bring thick down jackets, warm cotton-padded pants, snow boots, hats, scarves, gloves, etc.
Item Preparation
Daily Necessities: toiletries, skin care products, sunscreen, sunglasses, sun hats, umbrellas or raincoats, etc.
Medicines: cold medicine, stomach medicine, motion sickness medicine, anti-mosquito and insect bite medicine, etc.
Electronic Devices: cameras, mobile phones, chargers, power banks, etc., which are convenient for recording the beautiful moments during the journey.
Other Items: identity cards, student cards and other various certificates (students can enjoy discounts in some scenic spots), and an appropriate amount of cash (although mobile payment is available in many places, just in case).
Transportation Guide
External Transportation
Airplane
Hailar Dongshan International Airport: It is relatively close to the urban area of Hulunbuir and is the preferred airport for most tourists traveling to the Hulunbuir Grassland. There are direct flights from many major cities in China.
Train
Hailar Station: It is an important railway hub in Hulunbuir, with trains coming from cities such as Harbin, Beijing, and Hohhot.
Internal Transportation
Chartered Car/Rental Car
This is the most convenient way to visit the Hulunbuir Grassland. You can stop at any beautiful place along the way according to your itinerary and preferences. The price of chartered cars varies according to the model and the peak and off-peak seasons of tourism. Generally, it ranges from 400 to 1000 yuan per day.
Group Tour
You can choose a local travel agency and travel by tourist bus. The advantage is that it is worry-free, but the disadvantage is that the itinerary arrangement is relatively fixed and the freedom is relatively low.
Public Transportation
The Hulunbuir Grassland is vast, and public transportation is not well developed. There are shuttle buses between major towns, but the number of trips is limited, so it is not suitable for in-depth travel.
Best Travel Time
June August
The grass is lush and the water is abundant. It is the peak tourist season on the grassland. You can enjoy the endless green grassland under the blue sky and white clouds, as well as herds of cattle and sheep and blooming wildflowers. In addition, there are various grassland activities such as the Nadam Fair. However, there are more tourists at this time, and various costs will be relatively high.
September October
In autumn, the Hulunbuir Grassland presents a colorful scene. The golden pasture, the blue sky, and the white clouds form a beautiful picture. Moreover, there are relatively fewer tourists, and the travel cost will also be reduced.
Main Scenic Spots
Morigele River
It is known as the “No.1 Curved River under Heaven” by Mr. Lao She. The river course is winding like a ribbon falling on the grassland. You can climb a nearby high slope to overlook the panoramic view or walk along the river to appreciate its unique curvy beauty.
Erguna Wetland
It is the largest wetland in Asia. The terrain here is flat and open, with crisscrossing rivers, forming a spectacular and beautiful wetland landscape. You can walk along the wooden plank road to enjoy the wetland scenery, watch various rare birds, and climb the observation deck to overlook the entire wetland.
Birch Forest Scenic Spot
The birch trees are tall and straight, and the white trunks and green leaves complement each other. Walking among them is like being in a fairy tale world. There are wooden plank roads, observation decks and other facilities in the scenic spot, as well as some cultural displays and entertainment projects related to the birch forest.
Heishantou
Here you can enjoy the perfect combination of the grassland and the wetland, and also experience characteristic activities on the grassland, such as horseback riding and archery. Watching the sunset on the grassland from the Sunset Hill in Heishantou in the evening is an experience not to be missed. The afterglow of the setting sun sprinkles on the grassland, and the scenery is very magnificent.
Manzhouli
It is a border city full of exotic atmosphere, integrating the cultures of China, Russia and Mongolia. The main scenic spots include the Manzhouli National Gate, the Matryoshka Square, the Sino-Russian Border Trade Zone, etc. Here you can appreciate the unique European architectural style, buy Russian specialty products and taste Russian cuisine.
Food Recommendations
Hand-grabbed Mutton
The mutton with bones is disassembled according to the bone joints and put into a large pot to be boiled. No salt or other seasonings are added during the process. When eating, the cooked mutton is picked off and dipped in seasonings such as leek flower sauce and mashed garlic. The meat is tender and has the original flavor.
Roast Whole Lamb
A fat and strong sheep is selected, slaughtered, scalded, dehaired, marinated and seasoned, and then roasted in a special oven with fruit charcoal fire. The outer skin is golden and crispy, the meat is tender and juicy, and the aroma is overflowing. It is a delicacy to entertain distinguished guests on the grassland.
Mongolian Hot Pot
Fresh local mutton is used as the main ingredient and boiled in a copper pot, with seasonings such as sesame paste, leek flower, and fermented bean curd. The soup is fresh and the meat is delicious, with a unique flavor.
Russian Western Food
In Manzhouli and other places, you can taste authentic Russian Western food, such as beef in a pot, Russian borscht, big列巴面包 (dà liè bā miàn bāo), cheese, etc., with rich and unique flavors.
Dairy Products
Including milk tea, dried milk, milk skin, yogurt, etc. These dairy products are nutritious and have a mellow taste and are common delicacies on the grassland.
Characteristic Activities
Horseback Riding
Riding a horse and galloping on the grassland is an experience that many tourists yearn for. You can choose a regular horse farm and, under the guidance of a professional coach, ride a horse to walk or run on the grassland and feel the vastness and boldness of the grassland.
Watching Nadam Activities Such as Horse Racing and Wrestling
The Nadam Fair is a traditional event of the Mongolian people, usually held in July August every year. During the event, there are wonderful competitive events such as horse racing, wrestling, and archery, as well as Mongolian song and dance performances and characteristic costume displays.
Living in a Mongolian Yurt
Experience the life of living in a Mongolian yurt on the grassland and feel the folk customs of the Mongolian people. In the evening, you can participate in a bonfire party, sing and dance with local herdsmen, taste roast whole lamb, and look up at the bright starry sky.
Accommodation Options
Mongolian Yurt
There are many Mongolian yurts available for accommodation in the grassland scenic spots or nearby. They are divided into traditional Mongolian yurts and modern Mongolian yurts after improvement. Traditional Mongolian yurts are more characteristic, but the facilities are relatively simple; modern Mongolian yurts are generally equipped with independent bathrooms, air conditioners and other facilities, and the living comfort is relatively high.
Hotel/Guesthouse
There are hotels and guesthouses of various grades in cities such as Hailar and Manzhouli for you to choose from. The facilities are complete and the service is perfect, suitable for tourists with higher requirements for accommodation conditions.
Homestay
In some tourist towns or rural areas, you can choose to stay in a homestay, which can better experience the local living atmosphere and customs, and the price is relatively more affordable.
Travel Precautions
Respect Local Customs
When entering a Mongolian yurt, walk from the left side of the brazier and sit on the west side, and don’t sit on the threshold; when the host offers tea, receive the bowl with both hands and express gratitude; when encountering herds on the grassland, go around and don’t drive or scare them.
Environmental Awareness
Don’t litter and take good care of the grassland environment. The garbage generated during outdoor activities should be taken away or thrown into the designated trash can.
Safety Matters
When riding a horse, listen to the coach’s guidance, wear protective equipment, and don’t run or scare the horse at will; pay attention to safety when participating in activities such as bonfire parties and keep a certain distance from the fire.
