Ergun & Genhe

The "Number One Wetland in Asia" at Ergun and the "Cold Pole of China" at Genhe, with birch forests, a reindeer-herding tribe and Russian-style towns: the best of the northern Hulunbuir road trip.

Ergun & Genhe lies in northern Hulunbuir, Inner Mongolia, on the western slope of the Greater Khingan Range, and is the core section of the northern Hulunbuir road trip. In the west, the city of Ergun (the urban area is called Labudalin) is known for the Ergun Wetland, the "Number One Wetland in Asia," where the Genhe River spreads into horseshoe-shaped bends west of the city. The city has a Russian-style street and the Russian Ethnic Museum; 35 km north of the city is the birch forest scenic area, and to the east, around Shangkuli, rapeseed flowers and wheat fields alternate in July. About 2 hours' drive farther east is Genhe, where forest cover exceeds 90%. It has the Aoluguya Evenki Reindeer Tribe, China's last reindeer-herding people, the Genheyuan National Wetland Park, and the Cold Pole Village in Jinhe Town, where winter temperatures can fall below -40°C, earning the name "Cold Pole of China." Shiwei and Moerdaoga, farther north, are a separate stop. Best time to visit: June–September is lush and cool, mid-September brings the best autumn colors in the birch forest and wetland, and after late August day–night temperature swings are large; December–February is suited to ice and snow, reindeer sleigh rides and experiencing extreme cold. Getting there: from Hailar Dongshan Airport to Ergun is about 2 hours by car; Genhe is connected to Hailar by the Yalin Railway; between Ergun and Genhe it is about 2 hours on National Highway 332. Sights are spread out, so self-driving or a chartered car is recommended. Allow 2–3 days: one day for the Ergun Wetland sunset and the city, half a day for the birch forest and Shangkuli, one day for Genhe's reindeer and wetland, and in winter add the Cold Pole Village. Notes: mosquitoes and ticks are common in summer, so wear long sleeves and use repellent; winter requires professional cold-weather gear; carry your ID in the border area.

Top sights

• Ergun Wetland – One of Asia's largest natural wetlands, where the Genhe River splits into horseshoe bends and lakes. The view from the hilltop observation…
• Aoluguya Reindeer Tribe – China's only settlement of the Reindeer Evenki people. Feed reindeer by hand in the forest and see birch-bark cho'lo lodges. It is a core e…
• Labudalin Town (Ergun City) – Ergun's urban area, with Russian-style log-house streets, lieba (Russian bread) and Russian cuisine, plus the Russian Ethnic Museum. It is…
• Ergun Birch Forest – A stretch of birch forest along the road from Ergun to Moerdaga and Shiwei, with wooden boardwalks winding through the trees. It is the cla…
• Shangkuli Grassland – A mixed farming and pastoral zone east of Ergun city, where grassland, wheat fields and rapeseed flowers flow together. July is the flower-…
• Genheyuan National Wetland Park – A national wetland park beside Genhe city, with forest marshes and meandering channels at the river's headwaters. In winter, the unfrozen r…
• China Cold Pole Village – A snow-and-ice themed village in Jinhe Town, Genhe, about 13 km from the China Cold Pole. Winter highlights include throwing water that fre…
• Heishantou Town & Ancient City Ruins – A grassland town on the China–Russia border river, with a Mongol-Yuan era ancient city ruin, a Mongol tribal camp and the Heishantou border…
• Sanhe Township – A multi-ethnic township on the Ergun River, home of the Sanhe horse, where Russian-style log houses meet open grassland pastures.

Where to eat

• Tieshan Cold Drinks – A veteran cold drinks shop founded in 1990. Its fresh-milk ice cream contains no water and is rich in milk flavor, earn…
• Wenduerhan Restaurant – A Mongolian restaurant on Hasar Road, the main road into town, known for soft-braised hand-cut mutton, tea-cup tripe-wr…

Itineraries

• Hulunbuir Northern Loop: Grasslands & Forest – A counter-clockwise northern loop starting and ending in Hailar, connecting wetlands, reindeer, forests, border rivers…
• Hulunbuir & Arxan Grand Loop – Combine the northern grassland and forest loop with a journey south to Arxan's volcanic heavenly lakes, returning to Ha…
• Hulunbuir Winter Forest & Snow Plain Tour – Charter a car in winter to traverse the snow plains, visit the Cold Pole and reindeer tribes, and then head to Heishant…
• Hulunbuir to Mohe: Crossing the Greater Khingan Mountains – A one-way self-driving route heading north from Hailar through Ergun and Genhe, crossing pristine forests to China's no…