Mergel River & Hulunbuir Grassland
莫尔格勒河与呼伦贝尔大草原
A river that winds through the Chen Barag grassland in countless bends, dubbed the 'No. 1 Winding River Under Heaven'. Seen from a high point, it is the classic image of the Hulunbuir Grassland.
The Mergel River rises on the western foothills of the Greater Khingan Range and loops across the grassland of Chen Barag Banner in countless S-shaped bends. Its channel is more than 300 km long, while the straight-line distance is under 100 km. The writer Lao She called it the 'No. 1 Winding River Under Heaven'. The Mergel River Scenic Area lies about 40 km north of Hailar. From the visitor centre, take the shuttle bus (about 80 yuan; about 100 yuan including admission) to lookouts 1 to 3 on the riverbank, which overlook the winding river and grassland. The light is best at sunrise and sunset. The Jin Zhang Khan Mongolian Tribe is also by the river, where you can watch ovoo worship ceremonies, ride horses and stay in a yurt. Beyond the scenic area, the S203 provincial road from Hailar toward Ergun runs through open Hulunbuir grassland on both sides, and you can stop and walk anywhere along the roadside. Please do not drive onto the pasture, as this damages the turf and may bring a fine. In summer, herders cut hay and hold horse races; along the roads you can drink milk tea and eat hand-held mutton. A half-day is recommended, combined with the Ergun Wetland on the same day. Note: the grassland is windy and the sun is strong. Summer brings frequent thunderstorms, so return to the car as soon as you see dark clouds. For horse riding, choose a licensed stable and wear a helmet.
Opening hours
07:30–19:00