Atlas of China
Hulunbuir Grassland 呼伦贝尔大草原Hūlúnbèi'ěr Dà Cǎoyuán
Summer grassland to the horizon, looping rivers and yurts near the Russian border
- Best time
- Late Jun–Aug
- Time needed
- 3–4 days
- Days to budget
- 3 days
- Stay in
- Hailar
- Region
- Inner Mongolia
- Type
- Nature
- Listed as
- 5A scenic area
Why go to Hulunbuir Grassland
In the far north-east of Inner Mongolia, the Hulunbuir grasslands roll to the horizon each summer, threaded by looping rivers and dotted with herds of sheep, horses and cattle. Road-trip from Hailar west to the border town of Manzhouli, on the Russian frontier, or north to the wetlands around Ergun, stopping for horse rides, a night in a yurt and lamb roasted Mongolian-style.
The story
These pastures are an ancestral homeland of the steppe peoples: the Xianbei traced their origins to the Gaxian Cave in Hulunbuir's eastern forests. Further north, villages such as Shiwei are home to families of mixed Russian and Chinese descent who still bake Russian bread and live in log houses.
What to see at Hulunbuir Grassland
- Morigele River 莫日格勒河: A looping river in Chen Barag Banner, a branch of the Hailar River, with grassland and yurt camps in all directions; it is the classic spot for riding and sunset views.
- Hulun Lake 呼伦湖: Inner Mongolia's largest lake, covering about 2,300 sq km on the western steppe near Manzhouli, with reed shores and birdlife.
- Ergun Wetland 额尔古纳湿地: A mosaic of marsh, shrub swamp and forest beside the Ergun River at the edge of Ergun city; viewing platforms look over it, and autumn turns the birch forest gold.
- Shiwei 室韦: A riverside settlement on the Russian frontier with log houses and families of mixed Russian and Chinese descent, reached by a long drive north from Ergun.
- Matryoshka Square 套娃广场: The border city of Manzhouli's showpiece plaza, with a giant nesting doll and Russian crafts, near the border gate.
How to visit Hulunbuir Grassland
Fly to Hailar, hire a driver and split the trip into two runs: the grassland and the Morigele River near Hailar (half a day to two days), then the long road north to Ergun and Shiwei or west to Manzhouli and Hulun Lake. A first look takes 3 days; the north loop takes at least 5.
How to get to Hulunbuir Grassland
Fly into Hailar from Beijing in about 2.5 hours, then hire a car with a driver; distances are long and public transport is thin.
Where to stay
Base in Hailar for the airport and the nearby grassland. For atmosphere, spend a night in a yurt camp on the Morigele River, and in Shiwei or Manzhouli when you go north or west.
What to eat
- Hand-grabbed lamb 手把肉: Mutton boiled on the bone in plain water, often dipped in wild chive flower sauce, the grassland staple.
- Buryat buns 布里亚特包子: Steamed buns of hot-water dough filled with chopped mutton and onion or wild chives, a speciality of the Buryat Mongols of the Hulunbuir area.
- Big lieba 大列巴: A very large round Russian-style loaf, associated with the Russian-influenced border towns; the shops and villages that bake it are the places to try it.
Tips for visiting Hulunbuir Grassland
- Nights are chilly even in July, so pack a fleece and a rain layer.
- Bring strong insect repellent for the riversides and wetlands.
- Book yurt stays ahead for July and August, the short peak season.
Nearby
Also within 30 km: World Anti-Fascist War Memorial Park, Hailar 世界反法西斯战争海拉尔纪念园 (under 10 km), Haotetaohai City Ruins 浩特陶海城址 (20 km).
On the map
Open Hulunbuir Grassland on the illustrated map to see the terrain around it, what else is close, and to add it to a trip and plan the days.
Open Hulunbuir Grassland on the map