Stunning Hulunbuir! The indescribable beauty between heaven and earth

Soul liberation! Hulunbuir Grassland: The ultimate definition of freedom, vastness, and purity (with practical tips) Trip duration: 5-7 days circular route (car rental/self-driving recommended) Departure time: Mid-July (strongly recommend July-August) Per capita cost: ¥2K+ (including car rental, accommodation, tickets, meals) 【Shocking First Experience: The Indescribable Beauty Between Heaven and Earth】 When the plane lands in Hailar and you drive out of the city, the scale of heaven and earth suddenly expands! Outside the car window is an endless green carpet, seemingly reaching the horizon. The real shock begins at the "World's First Meandering River"—Morigele River! Standing at a high vantage point (such as the top of Muyun Mountain or other high points along the way), the winding river under the sunlight looks like a fairy’s ribbon embedded in the lush green grassland, dotted with cattle and sheep, the river twisting and turning. The grandeur and magnificence can only be captured one-tenth by a camera; only personal experience can truly cleanse the soul. It’s recommended to find a safe roadside parking spot, let the wind blow through your clothes, and quietly feel it! 【Activity Highlights: Immersive Grassland Fun】 1. Off-road crossing the hinterland: An experienced driver takes us off the main road, deep into the heart of the Chen Barhu Banner grassland. The wheels roll over meadows, bumping along with no tourists around, only herds of cattle and sheep, curious ground squirrels, and solitary Mongolian yurts of herders. This is the authentic grassland experience! (Note: Respect the pasture, do not trample the grassland randomly, drive only on tire tracks). 2. Horseback riding at sunset in Heishantou: The sunset in Heishantou is a must-see! Choose a camp with a formal horse ranch and herders. Riding a horse for the first time in such a vast place (mostly slow walking, safety first), the sunset dyes the entire grassland golden red, turning both rider and horse into silhouettes. It feels like only the sound of hooves on grass and the wind remain between heaven and earth. (Reservation recommended, evenings are crowded). 3. Visit the Russian ethnic towns Shivei/Enhe: Located on the China-Russia border, Shivei or Enhe is full of exotic charm. Colorful Russian-style "wooden log" houses, ubiquitous Russian bakeries (the large rye bread is incredibly fragrant!), overlooking Russian villages across the Erguna River border, and experiencing the thrill of riding a four-wheel off-road bike along the border line (observe regulations). 4. Close encounter with reindeer: At the Oroqen Reindeer Tribe (or reindeer points near Erguna), get up close with the mysterious Evenk reindeer! These gentle "forest spirits" have clear eyes and can be slowly lured closer with moss. The tundra forest backdrop and gentle deer make for dreamy photos. 5. Manzhouli’s dazzling night: The night view of Manzhouli, the "Window of East Asia," is spectacular! The huge Matryoshka doll hotel (worth seeing even if you don’t stay), Russian-style buildings everywhere, all brilliantly lit, making you feel like you’re in a foreign country. The grandeur of the border gate scenic area is also awe-inspiring (tickets are a bit expensive, optional). Highly recommend trying authentic Russian cuisine! 【Accommodation Experience: Mongolian Yurts Under the Starry Sky】 * Grassland Mongolian Yurt: Stay one night in a truly modern improved Mongolian yurt in Heishantou or Barhu tribe areas (having a private bathroom is very important!). At night, join lively bonfire parties, watch the starry sky hang low (if the weather is good, the Milky Way is clearly visible!), sing and dance around the fire, and experience the boldness of grassland people. Wake up to the calls of cattle and sheep, open the door to the boundless grassland—unforgettable! * Unique wooden log houses: Stay one night in a warm wooden log house in Shivei/Enhe, where the wood emits a natural fragrance, experiencing the quiet nights of a border town. 【Taste Memories: Big Bites of Meat, Fragrant Fresh Milk】 * Hand-pulled meat: Authentic boiled lamb ribs or mutton, dipped in chive flower sauce, tender and without any gamey taste! The feeling of biting into big chunks of meat is exhilarating. * Grilled lamb ribs/mutton skewers: Charcoal-grilled, crispy outside and tender inside, sizzling with oil—classic grassland flavor. * Pot tea: Mongolian milk tea brewed in a copper pot, with fried rice, milk skin, dried beef, etc., salty and rich, perfect for warming up. * Fresh dairy products: Homemade yogurt is rich and mellow, sprinkled with fried rice or blueberry jam is amazing! Milk skin is sweet, fragrant, and oily—don’t miss it! The milk and yogurt from street-side fresh milk shops are very pure. * Buryat buns: A Hulunbuir specialty, thin-skinned with large fillings (lamb and onion or beef and onion), juicy and fragrant! 【Practical Tips (Hard-earned Experience!)】 1. Transportation is key: Strongly recommend car rental for free travel! The grassland is vast, attractions are scattered, and signals are intermittent. Finding a reliable local driver (also a guide) who knows the roads is crucial; they can take you to secret spots unreachable by regular tourists, avoid crowds, and save effort. Self-driving requires an experienced driver and offline maps must be downloaded in advance. 2. Sun and wind protection! Large temperature difference between day and night: The grassland’s altitude is not high but UV rays are very strong! Sunglasses, sun hats, and high SPF sunscreen (SPF50+ PA++++) are essential. Even in midsummer, mornings and evenings are cool, especially at sunset and rainy days, so a windbreaker or light down jacket is a must! Hats help keep your hairstyle in place (the wind is very strong!). 3. Mosquito and insect protection: Wetlands and riversides have fierce mosquitoes! Mosquito repellent (containing DEET), mosquito hats, cooling oil, and medicated oil are very necessary, especially at dusk and after rain. 4. Cash preparation: Some scenic spots, restaurants, horseback riding, and stalls may only accept cash (especially in remote areas), so bring some small change. 5. Border permits: If your itinerary involves border areas like Shivei, Enhe, Heishantou, confirm in advance whether you need a border permit (usually the car rental driver will remind you). 6. Drone flying tips: The scenery is beautiful, but please note! Areas near the border line (such as both sides of the Erguna River) are no-fly zones! When flying in the grassland hinterland, respect herders, cattle, sheep, and privacy; keep away from crowds and sensitive facilities. Flying near the border road (checkpoint line) requires prior approval. 7. Accommodation choice: During peak season (July-August), accommodation is very tight and expensive! Book in advance! Conditions of grassland yurts vary greatly; check if there is a private bathroom, as many public bathrooms are very basic. 8. Navigation key: Navigation sometimes leads you to difficult roads (especially near checkpoint lines), and some seemingly close spots require detours. Don’t just look at distance; pay attention to routes and time estimates. Adding waypoints (such as Jinzhanghan, Erguna, Qika, Wuka, Heishantou) when setting navigation can avoid wrong routes. 9. Respect customs: When entering pastures, yurts, or ovoos, respect local customs (e.g., do not climb on ovoos, only walk clockwise around them; do not step on thresholds casually). 10. Protect the environment: The grassland ecosystem is fragile; please take your trash with you! Do not trample the grassland, only drive on roads or tire tracks. 【Spiritual Summary:】 The beauty of Hulunbuir is far more than a visual impact. When you stand on the open meadow, feeling the vastness of heaven and earth and the insignificance of humans; when you lie on the grass, watching clouds roll overhead, hearing only the wind and insects; when you ride a horse, feeling the primal rhythm even at a slow pace; when you are surrounded by silence under the stars... all anxiety and complexity seem to be blown away by the wind. This is a return to the true nature of freedom, a pure cleansing of the soul. It may lack the refinement and convenience of big cities, but the vastness and tranquility it offers will be remembered for a lifetime. Hulunbuir is worth every free-spirited heart’s journey!