A Dreamy Summer Trip to Hulunbuir Grassland
Introduction
In July 2020, I escaped from the sweltering city and embarked on a 7 – day journey to the 25 – degree Hulunbuir Grassland with my friends. With a per – person budget of about 5000 yuan, we enjoyed a trip full of photography, self – driving, and free exploration.
Hulunbuir in summer is a paradise on earth. The blue sky, white clouds, gentle breeze, galloping horses, vast grasslands, and scattered cattle and sheep create a scenery that rivals Switzerland. It’s not just a place; it’s a world where time slows down and nature shows its purest form.
Precautions Before Departure
Daily Essentials
As the pandemic had just subsided, it was crucial to pay attention to protection and hygiene. Wearing a mask was a must, and gloves and goggles could be considered, especially in crowded places like stations. Applying for a local health code in advance was necessary for travel by plane, high – speed rail, or subway. Also, it’s advisable to carry less cash and keep valuables safe, as mobile payment is very convenient nowadays.
Weather and Clothing
Hulunbuir has a large temperature difference between day and night in summer. During the day, it can reach about 30 degrees Celsius, while at night, it may drop to around 10 degrees. Prepare enough warm clothes and light, easy – to – wear outfits. It’s better to wear sports shoes instead of sandals due to the thorny grass and mosquitoes on the grassland. Girls are recommended to bring colorful long dresses for better photos, along with a shawl or scarf, as the wind on the grassland can create a beautiful picture.
Medications and Sunscreen
To avoid mosquito bites and other discomforts, bring some essential medicines such as mosquito repellent, cooling oil, cold medicine, diarrhea medicine, and motion – sickness pills. Since the local diet mainly consists of meat, southerners may need some digestive medicines. Sunscreen with a high protection factor is essential, as the sun in the grassland can be very strong.
Mobile Signal and WiFi
The mobile signal may be weak or even non – existent in remote areas of the grassland. If you’re self – driving, it’s better to have a car navigation system. Mobile and China Telecom generally have better signals than China Unicom. However, most restaurants and accommodations provide WiFi, so communication is usually not a big problem.
Shopping
Hailar and Manzhouli are good places for shopping. Although our itinerary didn’t include shopping, it’s a great opportunity to buy some local specialties.
Travel Modes in Hulunbuir
External Transportation
- By Air: During the summer tourist season, many cities have flights to Hailar or Manzhouli airports. It’s advisable to book tickets in advance to get a good deal. Beijing is an ideal transfer point.
- By Train: Since there are no direct trains from many cities to Hulunbuir, transferring at Harbin, Shenyang, or Beijing is recommended. Harbin is a great choice as you can sleep on the train and arrive in the morning.
Internal Transportation
- Chartered Tour: It offers more freedom in choosing routes and managing time, but you need to arrange accommodation and tickets by yourself. It’s suitable for those who love independent travel.
- Self – driving: It’s a great way to enjoy the scenery in summer, but not recommended in winter due to the complex road conditions after snow.
- Group Tour: It’s a hassle – free option, especially for those traveling with children. However, avoid low – cost tours to prevent being forced to buy expensive items.
Itinerary
Day 12: Arrival in Hailar
We gathered in Hailar and checked into a local hotel, getting ready for the exciting journey ahead.
Day 13: Baerhu Mongolian Tribe and Manzhouli
We started the day by heading to the Baerhu Mongolian Tribe. There, we were greeted by a horse team and offered the traditional Mongolian welcome – the dismounting wine. We learned to show respect to heaven, earth, and ancestors by flicking the wine in different directions. Then, we watched the amazing “Horse Dance” performance, which included various equestrian stunts. In the evening, we arrived in Manzhouli, experienced Russian cuisine at a local restaurant, visited the Matryoshka Scenic Area, and ended the day with a bonfire party in a star – gazing tent.
Day 14: Baerhu Folk Garden and Border Road
We explored the Baerhu Folk Garden, where we learned about Mongolian culture from different aspects such as language, religion, and handicrafts. We also visited the Happy Sheep Ranch, where we could watch sheep races and interact with the animals. Then, we drove along the most beautiful border road, enjoying the stunning views of the Erguna River and the Russian villages in the distance. We spent the night in a wooden house in Shiwei.
Day 15: Moerdaoga National Forest Park
The Moerdaoga National Forest Park is a vast and pristine forest area. We took a small train through the forest, breathing in the fresh air and enjoying the peaceful scenery. We also visited the Haier River Scenic Area and the Birch Forest Scenic Area, where we were surrounded by nature’s beauty.
Day 16: Erguna Wetland and Genhe
We visited the Erguna Wetland, known as the “No.1 Wetland in Asia”. The meandering river, the rich vegetation, and the diverse wildlife made it a truly spectacular place. In Genhe, we watched a performance at the Aoluguya Stage, visited the Genheyuan National Wetland Park, and learned about the history of forest conservation at the logging – cessation memorial.
Day 17: Aoluguya Reindeer Tribe
We went to the Aoluguya Reindeer Tribe, where we learned about the unique culture of the Ewenki people. We visited the Reindeer Park and got close to these gentle animals, which are also known as “Siberian deer” or “four – unlike”. We also visited the Rye Bread Museum and participated in some entertainment activities.
Specialties
In Manzhouli, we tasted authentic Russian cuisine at the Matryoshka Hotel. The freshly – baked Russian rye bread, with its unique taste and the accompanying fresh cream and ketchup, was a real treat. The large beef and chicken skewers, bursting with juicy meat, were also very delicious. Other Russian dishes like Borscht, Queen Salad, Russian Fried Sausages, Black Pepper Steak, Russian Pickles, French Meat, and Russian Mushroom Dishes were all worth trying. In addition, we couldn’t miss the famous roasted whole lamb and lamb chops in Inner Mongolia.
Baerhu Tribe – Experiencing the Original Grassland Life
The Baerhu Tribe is an AAAA – level scenic area that showcases the original Mongolian folk customs. The moment we arrived, we were greeted by a magnificent horse team. The “Horse Dance” performance was truly a highlight, with various equestrian stunts that demonstrated the close relationship between the Mongols and horses.
We also had the opportunity to stay in a star – gazing tent, which was surprisingly modern with air – conditioning, a bathroom, and a toilet. In the early morning, we got up to watch the sunrise on the grassland. The beautiful scenery was so captivating that we couldn’t help but take a lot of photos.
In the Baerhu Folk Happy Garden, we learned about Mongolian culture from different perspectives. We watched sheep races, interacted with animals, learned to milk cows, and participated in the Ovoo sacrifice ceremony. We even dressed up in Mongolian costumes and took some amazing photos.
Matryoshka Square – A Fairy – Tale World on the Border
The Matryoshka Square in Manzhouli is a 5A – level tourist attraction. It’s a large – scale comprehensive tourist resort themed around the Russian traditional handicraft – matryoshka dolls. The architecture here is like a fairy – tale world, with various Russian – style buildings, matryoshka – themed attractions, and a Russian folk culture experience center.
We had lunch at the Matryoshka Hotel, enjoying a variety of Russian dishes. After that, we explored the park, visiting the Russian folk culture体验馆, the spherical flying cinema, and the matryoshka – related souvenir shops. The Russian circus performance in the park was also very exciting, with professional international actors performing high – difficulty shows.
Mammoth Park – Understanding the Mammoth Culture
The Mammoth Park in the Zhalainuoer New Area is a unique place. The large Ferris wheel and the numerous mammoth sculptures make it a must – visit attraction. The park is themed around the “Mammoth Hometown” culture of Zhalainuoer and has been awarded the title of “Mammoth Hometown” by the Guinness Headquarters.
We climbed the observation tower to get a bird’s – eye view of the park. There is also a train museum nearby, where we can learn about the evolution of trains. The park also has many entertainment facilities, such as an artificial lake, a museum, a children’s science and technology museum, and various amusement rides.
Erguna River Wulan Mountain Scenic Area
Driving along the border road, we were constantly amazed by the beautiful scenery. When we reached Wulan Mountain, we were stunned by the view of the river in the shape of a Taiji diagram. The word “Wulan” in Mongolian means “red” and represents positive meanings such as happiness and warmth.
In the scenic area, we could enjoy some exciting activities like high – speed grass skiing and the cliff swing. It’s a great place for both nature lovers and adventure seekers.
Aoluoqi Manor – Admiring the World’s Largest Crop Taiji Diagram
The Aoluoqi Manor is a rural complex with various tourist areas, including a picking area, a romantic area, and a sports and leisure area. It’s famous for the world’s largest crop Taiji diagram made of wheat and rape. Due to its large size, you can only see the whole picture with the help of a drone. There is also a smaller Taiji diagram that can be photographed from the second – viewing platform.
We could enjoy the beautiful scenery of the two countries by cycling, walking, or taking an old – fashioned Russian carriage along the border road. The sunset here was incredibly beautiful, with the sky turning into a sea of fire.
Moerdaoga National Forest Park – Taking a Deep Breath in the Forest
Moerdaoga National Forest Park is the largest forest park in China with a cold – temperate climate. The word “Moerdaoga” has different meanings in different ethnic languages. As soon as we entered the park, we were surrounded by tall, green trees. The small train ride through the forest was a wonderful experience, allowing us to get close to nature and feel the tranquility of the forest.
Haier River Scenic Area – The Most Meandering River in the Forest
The Haier River Scenic Area is known for its meandering river and beautiful natural scenery. We saw many small squirrels in the forest. The area also has a forestry culture exhibition hall and a display of hunting tools. There are also many birch trees, and we could interact with some deer and wolves. The Haier River is even more meandering than the Morigele River, earning it the title of “the most meandering river in the forest”.
Birch Forest – The Signature of Daxing’anling
The Birch Forest in Erguna is a well – preserved natural birch forest area. The forest has an aerial walkway, forest cabins, and different themed areas such as a fairy – tale forest area, a family – love area, and a love area. We could drink birch juice and feed reindeer in the park. The white trunks of the birch trees are so beautiful that they seem to inherit the European elegance.
Erguna Wetland – The No.1 Wetland in Asia
The Erguna Wetland is a truly magnificent place. The meandering Genhe River, the rich vegetation, and the large number of migratory birds make it a paradise for nature lovers. It’s not only the most beautiful river wetland in China but also the best – preserved and largest wetland in the country. The legend of the horseshoe – shaped island adds a touch of mystery to the wetland.
Rape Flower Fields on the Way
On the way to Genhe, we encountered large fields of rape flowers. The sweet fragrance of the flowers filled the air, and the golden fields were like a beautiful painting. It was a great opportunity to relax and enjoy the beauty of nature.
Genheyuan National Wetland Park – A Memorable Experience
We started our day in the park with a thrilling rafting experience on the Lengjiwan River. The clear water and the beautiful scenery along the river made it a wonderful journey. After that, we visited the logging – cessation memorial of the Greater Khingan Mountains, which reminded us of the importance of forest conservation.
At night, we stayed in a RV camp in the park. Looking up at the starry sky, we felt a sense of peace and awe.
Aoluguya – Experiencing the Coexistence of Humans and Nature
Aoluguya is the home of the last hunting tribe in China, the Ewenki people. The main attraction here is the reindeer. These animals, also known as “four – unlike”, are an important part of the Ewenki people’s life. We visited the reindeer park and fed the reindeer with moss.
We also visited the Rye Bread Museum and participated in some entertainment activities. It was a great opportunity to learn about the unique culture of the Ewenki people and their close relationship with nature.
Conclusion
This summer trip to Hulunbuir Grassland was an unforgettable experience. We traveled about 2000 kilometers from south to north, enjoying various beautiful sceneries, delicious foods, and unique cultures. Just like a one – way train journey, every trip has an end, but the memories will last forever. We should cherish every moment and every view on the way, for the future is full of hope!
Read More《逃离火炉城市，走进25度呼伦贝尔大草原，凉爽宜人》
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