6-Day 5-Night Hidden Gems Route in Hulunbuir

This is a niche travel route combining grasslands, forests, borders, and starry skies, avoiding commercialized attractions and delving into primitive villages and secret spots. Perfect for travelers seeking natural charm and deep experiences. The trip includes private car + self-driving, recommended for travel between June and August when the grasslands are lush and flowers are in full bloom—breathtakingly beautiful! 🚗 "Itinerary Overview" Day 1: Hailar → Morigele River Cliff → Ergun Day 2: Ergun → Wildflower Valley Birch Forest → Reindeer Tribe → Linjiang Village Day 3: Linjiang Village → Sino-Russian Border Line → Taiji Wetland → Heishantou Day 4: Heishantou → Horseback Riding Across Wetlands → Stargazing Camping Day 5: Heishantou → White Deer Island Secret Spot → Qiqian Village Day 6: Qiqian Village → Pristine Forest Hiking → Return to Hailar 🌄 "Daily In-Depth Activities" Day 1: Step into the Oil Painting World of Morigele River Morigele River Cliff: Navigate to "Tuga Camp," drive along a dirt road for 10 minutes, and climb to the vantage point to overlook the winding river bends dotted with grazing cattle and sheep, resembling a National Geographic cover. Best for photography during sunrise or sunset for stunning light and shadow effects. Ergun Wetland Hidden Entrance: Avoid the main scenic area and hike in from the back hills. Experience the original wetland scenery with reeds and birch forests intertwined, and occasionally encounter herdsmen. Accommodation: Stay at "Birch Forest Inn" in Ergun city, featuring Nordic-style wooden structures. For dinner, try "Iron Pot Stew" paired with homemade blueberry wine. Day 2: Fairy Tale Forest and Reindeer Encounters Wildflower Valley Birch Forest: Navigate to "Ergun Back Hills," pass through meadows filled with wildflowers, and enter an undeveloped birch forest. Capture dynamic shots reminiscent of the movie "Atonement" (shutter speed 1/20, rotate the camera for motion effects). Aoluguya Reindeer Tribe: Interact with elderly Ewenki people, hand-feed gentle reindeer, and listen to stories about their deer culture. Purchase moss (10 RMB/basket) to attract reindeer for close-up photos. Linjiang Village Sunset: Arrive at this small border village by evening, climb the observation deck to overlook the Ergun River. The sunset paints the clouds golden-red, while smoke rises from Russian villages across the river. Accommodation: Stay at "Shilu Tribe" in Linjiang, featuring wooden villas with grassland views from the window. For dinner, try Russian-style bread with borscht. Day 3: Chasing Scenery Along the Border Line Sino-Russian Border Line X904: Depart from Linjiang and drive along the Ergun River, passing through Five Card and Seven Card areas where grasslands and wetlands alternate. Stop at the "Taiji Diagram" observation deck to photograph the natural Taiji pattern formed by the Ergun River. Horseback Riding in Heishantou: Choose "Lucy Resort Camp" for professional horseback riding lessons. Gallop along the wetlands at sunset and watch the sun dip below the horizon. Stargazing Camping: Camp deep in the Heishantou grasslands, listen to herdsmen play the horsehead fiddle by the campfire, and enjoy a clear view of the Milky Way at midnight. Bring a tripod for star trail photography. Day 4: Exploring Pristine Forest Secrets White Deer Island: Depart from Heishantou and drive along the Rapid River for 2 hours to reach White Deer Island near Moerdaoga National Forest Park. Climb the fire lookout tower to overlook the Ω-shaped river embracing the island, surrounded by layers of pine and birch forests. Qiqian Village: Arrive at this primitive village with only 8 households in the afternoon. Stay at "Wang Family Inn" in a wooden log house. Stroll along the riverbank at dusk, watch soldiers patrol, and listen to songs from the military camp at 9 PM. Stargazing: Qiqian Village has minimal light pollution, allowing a clear view of the Milky Way. Bring a telephoto lens to capture wooden houses under the starry sky. Day 5: Forest Hiking and Return Journey Pristine Forest Hiking: Follow a local guide into the depths of the Greater Khingan Range, pick wild blueberries, and encounter squirrels and woodpeckers. The hiking route is about 5 km, moderately challenging—wear anti-slip shoes. Return to Hailar: Stop by "Taiping Village" en route to visit century-old wooden log houses and purchase Russian nesting dolls as souvenirs. ⚠️ "Important Tips" Border Pass: Required for visiting Qiqian Village. Apply at your local police station or Hailar Border Defense Office with your original ID and a copy. Transportation: Recommended to rent a car (7-seater SUV around 800 RMB/day). Some sections like the border line and Qiqian Village are dirt roads, requiring a 4WD vehicle. Gear: Prepare for large temperature differences between day and night. Bring a light down jacket in summer; mosquito repellent, sunscreen, and sunglasses are essential. For cameras, bring a wide-angle lens. Accommodation: Qiqian Village has basic facilities with limited water and electricity. Bring your own toiletries and power banks. Reserve tents in advance for camping in Heishantou. 📌 "Food Recommendations" Hand-Pulled Lamb: "Mongolian Lamb City" in Ergun, paired with wild leek flower sauce. Russian Cuisine: "Modala Restaurant" in Shiwei offers hearty stews and borscht. Iron Pot Stew: "Lao Chang Spring Pancake" in Hailar, featuring sauerkraut and ribs cooked to perfection. 📸 "Photography Tips" Morigele River Cliff: Use a wide-angle lens for panoramic shots and a telephoto lens for details of cattle and sheep. Birch Forest: Shoot against the light to capture the translucent effect of leaves; use low angles for a sense of depth. Starry Sky: ISO 3200, shutter speed 15 seconds, focus on the North Star. 💡 "Hidden Gems" Pick a bouquet of wildflowers in Wildflower Valley to create a grassland bouquet. Learn to milk cows from herdsmen and taste fresh milk skin. Send postcards to distant friends from Qiqian Village with unique stamps. 🌍 "Travel Reflection" The beauty of Hulunbuir lies not in popular spots but in the untouched depths of the grasslands. When horse hooves tread wetlands, when reindeer gently lick your palm, when starry skies envelop wooden houses, you'll understand: true travel is a dialogue with nature, a liberation of the soul.