Arxan

A volcanic hot-spring town at the southern foot of the Greater Khingan Range, where Tianchi, Dujuan Lake and the never-freezing river are lovely year-round — its golden autumn forests are among the very best fall foliage in Northeast China.

Arxan lies in the northwest of Hinggan League, Inner Mongolia, on the southwestern slopes of the Greater Khingan Range, bordering Mongolia. It is one of China's higher-latitude, higher-altitude small cities (the town sits at about 1,000 m). "Arxan" means "hot holy spring" in Mongolian, and the town is known for its hot springs, but the real scenic heart is Arxan National Forest Park (the core of a UNESCO Global Geopark), about 70 km northeast of town, home to volcanic landscapes and vast forests including Tianchi Lake, Dujuan (Azalea) Lake, Shitanglin lava field, Santan Gorge and the never-freezing river. The climate is cool: average temperatures in July–August stay below 20°C, making it a classic summer retreat. In mid-to-late September the birches and larches turn gold — considered some of the most beautiful autumn colors in Northeast China — but the window is short, and the first snow often arrives around the National Day holiday (early October). From December to March lows can reach -40°C, and rime ice, the unfrozen river and skiing take center stage. Getting there: fly into Yi'ershi Airport (Arxan Airport), or take a train from Baicheng to Arxan Station; Ulanhot Airport is another option with onward connections. The forest park's sights are strung along a road of about 60 km; in peak season you must transfer to park shuttle buses at the visitor center, and private cars are usually not allowed into the core area. Allow 2–3 days: one day for the main forest park route (Tianchi, Dujuan Lake, Shitanglin, Santan Gorge, Tuofengling Tianchi), one day for the town's hot springs and railway station; self-drivers can add Bailang Town, Bailang Peak and the border port. Note: park tickets and shuttle prices differ between peak and off-peak seasons — check official announcements; autumn days swing widely in temperature, so pack a down jacket; winters are extremely cold, so keep camera batteries warm.

Top sights

• Arxan National Forest Park – The heart of Greater Khingan's volcanic landscape and primeval forest, where most of Arxan's attractions are located within the park.
• Arxan Tianchi (Heaven Lake) – A high crater lake about 1,330 m above sea level, reached by climbing about 500 steps. The lake never overflows or dries up.
• Arxan Railway Station – A wooden station building in Japanese style, completed in 1937, that is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit and still in use tod…
• Tuofengling Tianchi – The northernmost crater lake in the forest park, shaped like a hoofprint, with golden autumn trees reflected in its water. It is Arxan's si…
• Dujuan Lake – A lava-dammed lake surrounded by Dahurian rhododendrons that bloom in early summer, and golden forests reflected on the water in autumn.
• Shitanglin Lava Field – One of the largest extinct volcanic basalt landscapes in Asia, a lava plateau covered in moss and prostrate pine.
• Santan Gorge – A gorge on the upper Halha River, where the current has carved three deep pools and rapids out of the lava.
• Budong River (Unfrozen River) – A stretch of the Halha River that stays unfrozen even when temperatures drop to minus 30 to 40 degrees Celsius; its rime ice is the signatu…
• Arxan Hot Springs – Arxan's name means 'hot sacred spring', and the mineral springs in the town centre were the starting point of the town's development.
• Meigui Peak – A cluster of granite peaks north of Yirshi, with pinkish rock that looks like blooming roses from afar.
• Bailang Peak – A high peak beside Bailang Town in the Greater Khingan range, with views over endless forest and the town; the autumn foliage is stunning.
• Bailang Forestry Folk Village – A folk village of log-notched houses in a former forestry town, with exhibits on forest life and iron-pot stews, and a base for exploring B…
• Arxan Dichi – A low-lying volcanic collapse lake facing Tianchi, with deep green water ringed by cliffs; steps lead down to the shore.
• Wusulangzi Lake – A volcanic barrier lake near the forest park entrance, with open meadows; reflections and morning mist make it a photography hotspot.
• Luming Lake – A volcanic barrier lake in the core of the forest park, with small islands and dead trees reflected in the water; boardwalks allow close vi…
• Songye Lake – A long, narrow lake in the eastern part of the forest park, shaped like pine needles; larch forests along its shore turn golden in autumn…
• Guibei Rock – A huge lava platform near Shitang Forest, its surface cracked like tortoise shell; a classic site for studying volcanic landforms.
• Arxan Taiwei Ski Resort – A ski resort next to Arxan town, with a long snow season, fine powder and a full range of beginner and intermediate runs; you can head to t…
• Arxan Border Port – A Halha River border crossing on the China–Mongolia frontier, where you can look across to Mongolia's grasslands and valleys from near the…
• Wuli Spring – A natural cold mineral spring north of Arxan town, whose water can be drunk straight from the source and which feeds Arxan's bottled minera…

Where to eat

• Baolige Bingzhuyang – Arxan's best-known ice-boiled lamb hot pot, with ice and hand-cut fresh lamb cooked together and served with a signatur…
• Baiyin Tala Mongolian Restaurant – A well-reviewed Mongolian restaurant in Arxan city, serving hand-held mutton, grilled lamb ribs and freshly brewed pot…
• Jixiang Grassland BBQ – A popular barbecue spot on the hot spring street, famous for charcoal-grilled lamb ribs and grilled milk skin, open unt…

Itineraries

• Hulunbuir & Arxan Grand Loop – Combine the northern grassland and forest loop with a journey south to Arxan's volcanic heavenly lakes, returning to Ha…
• Arxan & Chaihe Volcanic Forest Autumn Tour – In and out of Ulanhot, see the Arxan Heavenly Lake and Shitanglin, and drive along the Mo'a Highway to Chaihe.