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 northernmost point.
A longitudinal route from grasslands to taiga forests: starting from the Mergel River, passing through the Ergun Wetland, Shiwei, Mordaoga, and Aoluguya, entering Mohe via Mangui, and concluding at Arctic Village and the First Bend of the Heilongjiang River. This is a one-way route with no backtracking, requiring a one-way car rental or a chartered car. Gas stations and mobile signals are scarce in the forest areas. Ideal for experienced road-trippers to see grasslands in summer and autumn colors in September.
Autumn colors peak in mid-to-late September. Forest areas may be restricted during the fire prevention season; check construction updates in advance.
Day by day
Day 1 · Arrive in Hailar & Explore the Old Town
Hailar & Hulunbuir Grassland（Hailar Fortress Ruins & Anti-Fascist War Memorial Park、Hulunbuir Ancient City）
Fly into Hailar, take a taxi or pick up your rental car to head to the city center (about 20 minutes), and explore urban attractions in the afternoon.
Confirm one-way drop-off when renting your car, and download offline maps of the forest area in advance.
Stay: Hailar Urban Area
Day 2 · Mergel River to Ergun
Hailar & Hulunbuir Grassland（Mergel River & Hulunbuir Grassland） → Ergun & Genhe（Ergun Wetland、Labudalin Town (Ergun City)）
Drive from Hailar to the Mergel River (about 1 hour), then continue to Labdalin (about 2.5 hours).
The wetland viewing platform offers great light in the late afternoon. The boardwalk has many steps.
Stay: Labudalin (Ergun Town)
Day 3 · Birch Forest & Enhe to Shiwei
Ergun & Genhe（Ergun Birch Forest） → Shiwei & Moerdaoga（Enhe Russian Ethnic Township、Shiwei、Shiwei Border River Viewpoint & Port）
Drive north from Labdalin through the Birch Forest and Enhe to Shiwei (about 3 hours), with multiple scenic stops along the way.
Keep your ID card with you in the border area, and do not cross the line along the border river.
Stay: Shiwei Town
Day 4 · Linjiangtun to Mordaoga
Shiwei & Moerdaoga（Olochi Manor、Linjiang Village、Laoyingzui Viewpoint）
Drive from Shiwei to Linjiangtun (about 30 minutes), then follow the forest road to Mordaoga (about 2 hours).
Mobile signals are weak in the forest, and afternoon thunderstorms are common; avoid driving at night.
Stay: Moerdaoga Town
Day 5 · Forest Mini-Train to Genhe
Shiwei & Moerdaoga（Moerdaoga Forest Train、Moerdaoga National Forest Park）
Ride the forest mini-train in the morning (about 1.5 hours). In the afternoon, drive along the Genbai Highway to Genhe (about 3 hours).
Try to catch the mini-train as early as possible. The Genbai Highway has potholes; control your speed.
Stay: Genhe Town
Day 6 · Reindeer Tribe & Cold Pole Village to Mangui
Ergun & Genhe（Aoluguya Reindeer Tribe、China Cold Pole Village）
Depart from Genhe to visit the Reindeer Tribe, pass through Cold Pole Village, and follow the S204 to Mangui (about 200 km, taking about 4 hours).
Gas stations are rare along the way; fill up your tank in Genhe or Jinhe. Some sections have no mobile signal.
Stay: Mangui Town
Day 7 · Cross the Forest to Arctic Village
Mohe（Yanzhigou Gold Mine & Li Jinyong Memorial Temple、Beiji Village (Arctic Village)、China's Northernmost Post Office）
Drive from Mangui to Mohe (about 140 km, taking 3 hours), then continue to Arctic Village (about 1.5 hours).
There may be road construction controls around Mangui; check local traffic updates before setting off.
Stay: Beiji Village
Day 8 · Find the North & Head to the First Bend
Mohe（Beiji Sandbar (Finding North)、First Bend of the Heilongjiang River、Beihong Village）
Explore the Arctic Sandbar in the morning, drive east along the river to the First Bend (about 2 hours), and return to Beihong Village (about 40 minutes).
The First Bend has nearly 1,000 steps and closes at 4:30 PM; it is best to arrive before noon.
Stay: Beihong Village
Day 9 · Mohe Urban Area & Departure
Mohe（Daxing'anling May 6 Fire Memorial Museum、Songyuan Primeval Forest Park）
Drive from Beihong Village to Mohe's urban area (about 2.5 hours). Return your car in the afternoon and head to Gulian Airport or the railway station.
Flights from Mohe are limited; confirm your schedule in advance and leave enough time for car return.