Inner Mongolia Hulunbuir Grassland 5-Day Tour: Hailar + Ergun + Shiwei + Heishantou + Manzhouli (Top Choice for Summer)

Today, you will fly to Hulunbuir and arrive at Hailar Dongshan International Airport (HLD). Hailar, known as the "Pearl of the Grasslands," is waiting for you to explore. The airport is about 7 to 10 kilometers from downtown Hailar. Upon arrival, our local driver will meet you at the airport exit and escort you to your city hotel for check-in, a drive of about 15 to 20 minutes. After that, your time is free to arrange as you wish, exploring this grassland city at your own pace. Suggestions for Free Time (depending on arrival time) If you arrive in Hailar early enough, you might start your sightseeing at these places You could begin at Genghis Khan Square, the "city living room" of Hailar and one of the largest squares in Inner Mongolia. In the center of the square stands a towering statue of Genghis Khan on horseback, his strength and boldness seeming to silently tell the soul of the grasslands. Next, you can walk to the Hulunbuir Nationalities Museum, which displays the traces of life of the various ethnic groups on this land, from nomadic culture to historical changes, well worth a leisurely look. If time permits and you are still in the mood, you might turn into Hailar Old Town, where on the reconstructed streets gray bricks and tiles complement horse-head walls, and you may occasionally come across folk performances. The leather paintings and handicrafts in the roadside shops are also good for a leisurely browse, and you might just find a little something you like to take home. When night falls, you can visit the Hailar Night Market, taste delicious specialty foods and snacks, and immerse yourself in the bustling, lively atmosphere of this city.

After breakfast, you will drive to the [Hulunbuir Grasslands], known as "China's most beautiful grassland." This is China's best-preserved natural pasture and one of the world's four great grasslands. It is famous for its vast scenery—"the sky so blue, the wilderness so boundless, and when the wind blows the grass low, cattle and sheep appear"—and for its profound nomadic culture. It enjoys the reputation of the "Kingdom of Forage Grass" and is one of the travel destinations countless people dream of. Your first stop is the [Moergele River] (also known as the Morigele River). It is the most representative river on the Hulunbuir Grasslands, famous throughout the world for its winding course and known as "the finest winding river under heaven." Standing on the high slope by the river and looking down, the water elegantly coils across the grassland like a green velvet carpet, like a silver ribbon, or like a curve casually drawn by the earth. On both banks are cattle and sheep grazing leisurely, in the distance are scattered yurts, and occasionally birds fly past. In such a scene, every press of the shutter produces a postcard. If you want a deeper feel for grassland life, there are many experience spots run by herders along the river. You can ride a horse along the bank or try archery (both optional activities requiring extra payment). It will be an unforgettable travel experience. After bidding farewell to the Moergele River, you will head to [Ergun Wetland] for a visit. This is China's largest and best-preserved natural wetland, known as "Asia's No. 1 Wetland." The wetland covers about 12,000 hectares, and the tributaries of the Ergun River crisscross here, forming a unique landscape where forest, grassland, and wetland interweave. After arriving, you will walk slowly up along the wooden boardwalk to the main viewing platform—standing there and gazing into the distance, the winding Genhe River threads through the greenery like the pulse of the earth. In the distance are rolling mountains; beneath your feet are dense shrubs and unnamed wildflowers; occasionally waterbirds skim the surface, stirring up ripples. That feeling of grandeur and beauty existing together is hard to put into words. Warm reminder: If you want to save some energy, you can also choose to take the sightseeing bus (optional, at your own expense) from the entrance to the viewing platform. Travel tips 1. Best season: June to September is the most beautiful time in Hulunbuir. The grass is green, the flowers are blooming, and the wetlands are at their fullest. 2. Equipment suggestions: A sun hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen are essential. If you want to photograph birds or distant cattle and sheep, a telephoto lens will be very useful. In addition, there are many mosquitoes on the grasslands, so remember to bring mosquito repellent or mosquito patches. After the visit, you will head to Shiwei (about 158 km, roughly a 2.5-3 hour drive), a Russian-style town on the China-Russia border. Shiwei is separated from Russia by just one river, and the opposite bank is a Russian village. Strolling through the town's streets, you will see brightly colored "onion-dome" log cabins, Russian-style churches, and fair-haired, blue-eyed Chinese-Russian descendants who speak fluent Northeastern Chinese—that wonderful mixed feel is both fresh and fascinating.

After breakfast, you will set off for the next stop on a route hailed as one of the most beautiful self-drive routes in Hulunbuir. Along the way, you will enjoy magnificent river views, rolling grasslands, quiet birch forests, scattered wetlands, and Russian-style villages that seem to have stepped out of a fairy tale. Along the way, you will stop at a viewing platform—here you can overlook the stunning river bend of the Ergun River. The river winds across the grassland, forming a unique "nine bends and eighteen turns" landscape that locals vividly call the "Bagua River" or "Taiji Diagram." Climbing onto the viewing platform and the high ground, you gaze into the distance as the river dances like a silver ribbon on a green carpet—so beautiful you cannot stop pressing the shutter. If time permits, you can also walk along the riverbank into a birch forest. In spring and summer, it is a sea of green; by autumn, the leaves turn golden, and sunlight filters through the branches, making the whole forest glow. It is breathtakingly beautiful and makes you forget your fatigue. Continue onward for about 3 hours to reach Heishantou. [Heishantou] is the best place in Hulunbuir for horseback riding, bar none. Vast, boundless pastures spread out before you, and distant hills rise and fall like waves—this is true grassland freedom. If you want to gallop on horseback (optional experience, at your own expense), there are several professional horse farms to choose from. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced rider, you can find a suitable route—riding across the grassland, riding up the slopes to overlook the land, or simply letting the horse stroll slowly... In the evening, the stunning sunset at Heishantou is not to be missed and is praised as one of the most beautiful sunsets in Hulunbuir. You can climb the Heishantou viewing platform or take a car to a higher area and quietly wait for the sun to set. The sky gradually shifts from gold to orange and pink-purple, finally dyed deep red—the entire grassland and the winding river are coated in warm light. In that moment, whether you raise your camera or simply watch quietly, you will feel that all the travel was worth it. As night falls, you will stay in a traditional yurt on the grassland. After settling in briefly, you can join a lively bonfire party under the stars and enjoy a spectacular Mongolian song and dance performance.

After breakfast, you will leave Heishantou and head to Manzhouli, the pearl city on the China-Russia border. Along the way, the grassland outside your window is like a flowing scroll—lush green in summer with wildflowers dotted about; if you come in autumn, the entire grassland dons a golden coat, gently undulating beneath blue skies and white clouds. Herds of cattle, sheep, and horses are scattered throughout, grazing leisurely or occasionally looking up at passing vehicles. Such scenes never grow tiresome. After about a 3.5-hour drive, you will arrive at Hulun Lake. Located about 40 kilometers south of Manzhouli, Hulun Lake is the largest lake in Inner Mongolia and China's fifth-largest freshwater lake. In Mongolian, it is called "Dalai Nur," meaning "a lake like the sea." The vast waters shimmer and merge with the sky, and the shores are lush pastures where herds of cattle and sheep graze leisurely while waterfowl skim across the surface. You can stand by the lake, feel the breeze, and admire the stunning view where water and sky become one. Bidding farewell to Hulun Lake, you will head to Manzhouli's iconic attraction—Manzhouli National Gate Scenic Area, the most symbolic spot on the China-Russia border. You can ascend the National Gate Observation Hall and look down at the China-Russia railway hub below, watching freight-laden trains rumble past from China toward Russia. In the distance lies the Russian border town of Zabaykalsk, its houses clearly visible. At the foot of the National Gate is Boundary Marker No. 41—a place many queue up to photograph. Standing here, one foot in China and a glance toward Russia, the feeling is extraordinary. Next, you will visit the Manzhouli Matryoshka Scenic Area, the most dreamlike and photogenic spot in Manzhouli, full of exotic charm. The giant matryoshka buildings are brilliantly colored, some over 30 meters tall and actually hotels inside; the plaza is dotted with matryoshka sculptures of various shapes, Russian-style churches, fountains, and painted walls. Take your time exploring and find all sorts of angles for photos, creating more travel memories. In the evening, stay overnight in Manzhouli.

After breakfast, you will depart from Manzhouli for Hailar, preparing to leave. The distance from Manzhouli to Hailar is about 228 kilometers, a drive of about 2.5 to 3 hours. At this point, the 5-day Inner Mongolia Hulunbuir Grassland tour is coming to an end, and it is time to say goodbye to the beautiful scenery of Hulunbuir. Suggestions for Extending Your Inner Mongolia Trip If you would like to continue to other destinations in Inner Mongolia, such as Hohhot, Baotou, or Ordos, to explore more diverse grassland and desert scenery, please let us know. We can customize an itinerary based on your interests.