Hulunbuir & Arxan Grand Loop
Combine the northern grassland and forest loop with a journey south to Arxan's volcanic heavenly lakes, returning to Hailar via Chaihe and Zhalantun.
A more relaxed version of the northern loop, spending one night each in Mordaoga and Shiwei, taking the inland route via Enhe, and then heading south from Lake Hulun to Arxan and along the Mo-A Highway to Chaihe. The entire route covers over 2,000 km, with the longest drive on the day from Manzhouli to Arxan. It is perfect for self-drive travelers with plenty of time who want to experience both the grasslands and the Greater Khingan Range in one trip.
The forests turn yellow from mid-September to early October, but the grasslands will have already withered by then; you will need to choose which scenery you prefer.
Day by day
Day 1 · Arrival & Acclimatization in Hailar
Hailar & Hulunbuir Grassland（Hailar Fortress Ruins & Anti-Fascist War Memorial Park）
Drive about 30 minutes from the airport to the city center. Pick up your car and fill the tank. Visit the fortress ruins in the afternoon and dine in the city in the evening.
Stay: Hailar Urban Area
Day 2 · Golden Horde Khan & Morigele River Camp
Hailar & Hulunbuir Grassland（Jinzhanghan Mongol Tribe、Mergel River & Hulunbuir Grassland）
Drive north from Hailar to the Golden Horde Khan (about 1 hour), then continue to the banks of the Morigele River. Total driving time is about 2 hours.
River camps can be quite cold at night; book at least one month in advance during peak season.
Stay: Mergel River Camps
Day 3 · Shangkuli & Erguna Wetland
Ergun & Genhe（Shangkuli Grassland、Ergun Wetland、Labudalin Town (Ergun City)）
Drive northeast from the camp to the Shangkuli Grassland, then return to Labdalin to visit the wetland. Total driving time is about 3 hours.
Stay: Labudalin (Ergun Town)
Day 4 · Genhe Reindeer & Wetland
Ergun & Genhe（Aoluguya Reindeer Tribe、Genheyuan National Wetland Park）
Drive from Erguna via the old G332 National Highway to Genhe (about 3 hours). Visit the reindeer tribe and the source of the Genhe River in the afternoon.
Stay: Genhe Town
Day 5 · Mordaoga Forest Day
Shiwei & Moerdaoga（Moerdaoga Forest Train、Moerdaoga National Forest Park、Yimu Jiuling Viewpoint）
Drive northwest from Genhe to Mordaoga (about 2.5 hours). Transfer to a park vehicle to explore the forest park in the afternoon.
Stay: Moerdaoga Town
Day 6 · Cross the Mountains to the Border Town of Shiwei
Shiwei & Moerdaoga（Shiwei、Shiwei Border River Viewpoint & Port、Olochi Manor）
Drive west from Mordaoga to Shiwei (about 2 hours). Walk around the town in the afternoon and view the border river at dusk.
Stay: Shiwei Town
Day 7 · Enhe & Sanhe to Heishantou
Shiwei & Moerdaoga（Enhe Russian Ethnic Township） → Ergun & Genhe（Sanhe Township、Heishantou Town & Ancient City Ruins）
Drive south from Shiwei through Enhe and Sanhe, then head west via Labdalin to Heishantou. Total driving time is about 5 hours.
Stay: Heishantou Town
Day 8 · Ribbon River to Border Gate Night View
Hailar & Hulunbuir Grassland（186 Caidai River Scenic Area） → Manzhouli（Manzhouli National Gate Scenic Area、Matryoshka Square）
Drive from Heishantou along the border highway to Manzhouli (about 230 km, 3.5 hours). View the Border Gate and Matryoshka Square at dusk.
Stay: Around Matryoshka Square
Day 9 · Lake Hulun South to Arxan
Manzhouli（Hulun Lake） → Arxan（Arxan Railway Station）
Drive from Manzhouli to Lake Hulun, then head south via New Barag Left Banner to Arxan (about 400 km, taking 5 to 6+ hours).
This is the longest driving day of the trip. Start early, fill up whenever you see a gas station, and avoid driving at night.
Stay: Arxan Town Hot Spring Street
Day 10 · Forest Park Heavenly Lake Loop
Arxan（Arxan Tianchi (Heaven Lake)、Tuofengling Tianchi、Dujuan Lake、Shitanglin Lava Field、Santan Gorge）
Drive from the city to Jinjianggou to transfer to the scenic area shuttle bus, connecting various spots via the Heavenly Lake service area. Spend the entire day in the park.
It is recommended to enter the park before 8:00 AM. Private vehicles are generally not allowed in the ticketed sections.
Stay: Tianchi Service Area
Day 11 · Mo-A Highway to Chaihe
Arxan（Budong River (Unfrozen River)、Wusulangzi Lake） → Zhalantun（Chaihe Moon Lake、Woniu Lake）
Drive about 100 km along the Mo-A Highway to Chaihe, then head east to Zhalantun (about 3 hours). Total driving time is about 5 hours.
Stay: Railway Station and Suspension Bridge Park Area
Day 12 · Zhalantun back to Hailar
Zhalantun（Chinese Eastern Railway Museum、Suspension Bridge Park） → Hailar & Hulunbuir Grassland
Explore the remnants of the Chinese Eastern Railway on foot in the morning. Drive back to Hailar via Yakeshi in the afternoon (about 4 hours).
The section between Yakeshi and Hailar often has road construction; check road conditions before departure.