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 Heishantou and Manzhouli.
Self-driving in winter is not recommended for beginners; small group tours or chartered cars are preferred, with all transfers scheduled during the day. The first half of the route heads towards Genhe to experience the Cold Pole and reindeer, while the second half loops back to Heishantou and Manzhouli. The Genhe area is extremely cold, making proper gear an absolute necessity. Due to short winter daylight hours, only two or three spots are scheduled each day, and Mordaoga and Arxan are omitted.
Temperatures in Hailar are commonly -20°C to -30°C, and even lower in Genhe; full extreme-cold gear is required.
Day by day
Day 1 · Arrive in Hailar & Acclimatize to the Cold
Hailar & Hulunbuir Grassland（Hulunbuir Ethnic Museum、Hulunbuir Ancient City）
It takes about half an hour from the airport to the city center. Take a taxi in the afternoon to visit the museum and the ancient town; no long-distance travel is scheduled.
Stay: Hailar Urban Area
Day 2 · Snow Plain & Meandering River to Erguna
Hailar & Hulunbuir Grassland（Mergel River & Hulunbuir Grassland） → Ergun & Genhe（Labudalin Town (Ergun City)）
Charter a car via the Mergel River snow plain to Labdalin, about 210 km, taking around 4 hours on snowy roads.
Keep camera batteries close to your body; the sky starts to darken after 4:30 PM.
Stay: Labudalin (Ergun Town)
Day 3 · Birch Forest & Reindeer
Ergun & Genhe（Ergun Birch Forest、Aoluguya Reindeer Tribe）
From Erguna via the Birch Forest to Genhe, about 3 to 4 hours on snowy roads, arriving at Aoluguya in the afternoon.
Confirm the operating status of activities like feeding reindeer before setting off.
Stay: Genhe Town
Day 4 · Visit China's Cold Pole Village
Ergun & Genhe（China Cold Pole Village）
A one-way trip from Genhe city center to the Cold Pole Village takes about 1.5 hours; return to the city center after noon to avoid driving at night.
Vehicles are difficult to start in extreme low temperatures; choose an experienced driver.
Stay: Genhe Town
Day 5 · Return to Heishantou Snow Plain
Ergun & Genhe（Heishantou Town & Ancient City Ruins）
From Genhe via Labdalin heading west to Heishantou, about 5 hours, arriving before dusk to watch the sunset.
The sunset in Heishantou is very early in winter; contact operators in advance for horse-drawn sleigh rides.
Stay: Heishantou Town
Day 6 · Border Highway to Manzhouli
Manzhouli（Manzhouli National Gate Scenic Area、Matryoshka Square、Zhongsu Pedestrian Street & Century Square）
From Heishantou along the border highway to Manzhouli is about 230 km, taking around 4 hours on snowy roads; visit the National Gate in the afternoon.
The border highway may be restricted during blowing snow; leave half a day as a buffer.
Stay: Sino-Soviet Pedestrian Street
Day 7 · Zhalainuo'er back to Hailar
Manzhouli（Zhalainuoer Museum） → Hailar & Hulunbuir Grassland
From Manzhouli to Zhalainuo'er takes about half an hour, then take G301 back to Hailar, about 2.5 hours.