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Top 10 Attractions in Alxa League (Tips, Photos & Map)

Saturday, August 13th, 2022

Plan your Inner Mongolia tour? On the west of Inner Mongolia lies Alxa League (阿拉善盟), also known as Alashan League. It is one of the 12 prefecture-level divisions in the administrative area of Inner Mongolia. Alxa League is still a mysterious and massive place admired by many adventurous travellers.

Exploring Alxa League (Alashan League) is quite challenging due to its huge landscape of desert, lakes and hills, the size of 16 “Beijing”! Unlike the grassland as the big draw in other places in Inner Mongolia, Alxa League is bestowed with unique natural landscapes – massive deserts, diversifolius poplar forest, lonely gobi, sapphire lakes, Helanshan virgin forest. Alxa League is also rife with historical relics and elements of ancient human civilizations.

The jurisdiction of Alxa League ( within the red line) Google Map

I’ve collected top 10 attractions ( the Top Things to Do ) in Alxa League ( Alashan) based on the highlights in the three counties which comprise Alax League. The three counties are Alashan Zuoqi ( 阿拉善左旗 Alxa Left Banner ), Alashan Youqi 阿拉善右旗 ( Alxa Right Banner ) and Ejina Qi 额济纳旗( Ejin Banner ).

To visit Alxa League ( Alashan) , it is better to grab some knowledge of these three counties and their seats or capitals. These three county seats are the convenient launching pads to delve into the historic sites and unique landscapes in the league.

Alashan Zuoqi 阿拉善左旗 (Alxa Left Banner ): Bayanhotezhen 巴彦浩特镇 ( the county seat )
Alashan Youqi 阿拉善右旗 ( Alxa Right Banner: Badan Jilin Zhen 巴丹吉林镇 (the county seat )
Ejina Qi 额济纳旗( Ejin Banner )：Dalai Kubu 达来库布镇 (Dalaikubuzhen) (the county seat )

The Location of Three County Seats in Alax League ( Google)

Hopefully my Top 10 List will be of some use while planning your West Inner Mongolia Tour.

The Alxa League Major Attraction Map ( Google Map)

1. Tenggeli Desert (Tengger Desert)腾格里沙漠

Tenggeli or Tengger Desert literally means “stretching into distance like the sky” in Mongolian. Running west to south from Alxa League to Gansu Province, the Tenggeli Desert is connected to the Helan Mountains on the West, goes over the Great Wall in the south and linked to the Yabulai Mountain in the west.

The desert has an area of 367,000 sq km that comprises sand dunes, lakes, hilly land flat ground. The desert has over 400 lakes. The most famous lake is known as Moon Lake, or Moon Lake Scenic Area.

Moon Lake is nestled in the hinterland of Tenggeli Desert, Alxa Zuoqi. It is 10 kilometers south of Bayanhaotenzhen ( Bayanhot Town). Moon Lake is a 5A-Level Scenic Area in China，a beautiful and magic natural freshwater lake with an area of three sq.kilometers.

Location: In the southeast of Alxa League, between Helanshan Mountain and Yabulan Mountain
Best Visit Time: Summer and Autumn; typical continental climate with little rain
How to get there: Drive from Zhongwei, Yinchuan or Bayanhot 巴彦浩特

2. Guangzong Temple 广宗寺

Also called South Temple, Guangzong Monastery is one of the most important lama shrines in Inner Mongolia, a place where the legendary Sixth Dalai Lama died. Guangzong Monastery is 23 kilometers southwest of Bayanhaote Town (Bayanhot), and 70 kilometers from Yinchuan.

Location: In a valley on the west of Helan Mountain,23km to southwest of Bayanhot.
Best Visit Time: Summer and Autumn;
How to get there: Drive from Yinchuan or Bayanhot 巴彦浩特

3. Helanshan Mountain ( Ho-lan Mountains) 贺兰山

“Helan” literally mean “Fine Horse” in Mongolian. Helanshan Mountain runs over 220 km from north to south, from 20 to 40 km wide with average about 2000 meters in altitude. The mountain range runs north-south parallel to Yellow River and the semi-arid Ordos Plateau.

To its west are the desert regions of the Alxa Plateau. The Helan Range has evergreen conifer forests that supports endemic communities of plants and animals.

Location: Running from north to south between Alxa League and Ningxia Province
Best Visit Time: Summer and Autumn;
How to get there: Drive from Yinchuan or Bayanhot 巴彦浩特

4. Ejin Poplar Forest 额济纳胡杨林

Ejin Poplar Forest (Huyanglin Scenic Area) is one of the three largest poplar forests in the world with mesmerizing autumn scenes sought after by numerous tourists and photographers.

Check out my another article Ejina Euphrates Desert Poplar (Populus ) (Tips, Photos & Map) for more information.

Huyanglin Scenic Area is located about 23km to the east of Dalaikubu Town, the seat of Ejina Qi ( Ejin Banner ), which are also the largest oases in Alxa League (Alashan).

Entrance Fee: RMB170
Location: 23km to southwest of Bayanhot 巴彦浩特
Best Visit Time: Autumn;
How to get there: Drive from Dalaikubu Town 达来库布镇 of Ejin Banner

Ejina Diversifolius Poplar Forest National Nature Reserve — Huyanglin Scenic Area

5. Heicheng Historic Site 黑城遗址

The Heicheng Historic Site ( Black City Ruins) is famous all over the world for the significant military passing along Silk Road in Han, Tang, Xixia and Yuan Dynasties. The city was originally built in 1032. In 1372 the Ming soldiers took the city and he city was abandoned and left in ruins also due to water shortage.

Check out my another article Heicheng Historic Site (Khara-Khoto) in Ejin Banner for more information.

The present remaining city wall was built in Yuan Dynasty ( 1271 1368). It has a perimeter of one kilometers, 434 meters from east west and 383 meters with the maximum height of 10 meters.

Entrance fee: RMB80
Location: 40km to the southeast of Dalaikubu Town 达来库布镇
Best Visit Time: Summer and Autumn;
How to get there: Drive from Dalaikubu Town of Ejina Banner

6. Ceke Port 策克口岸

It is the third largest overland port in Inner Mongolia as the outside door with rich mineral resources in Mongolia State. It is located 77 km to the north of Dalaikubu Town (Ejina Bnner).

Ceke Port opens four times a year – March (20 days), June (30 days), September (30 Days) and December (20 days). Ceke Port becomes a big bazzar during the opening days.

Location: 77km to the southeast of Dalaikubu Town 达来库布镇
Best Visit Time: Summer and Autumn;
How to get there: Drive from Dalaikubu Town of Ejina Banner

7. Badain Jaran Desert 巴丹吉林沙漠

Badain Jaran covers an area of 49,000 sq. kilometers. It is the highest and most beautiful desert in the world spanning the provinces of Inner Mongolia, Gansu and Ningxia.

Check out my another article A Glimpse of Badain Jaran Desert for more information.

The desert is also home to over 100 spring-fed lakes that lie between the dunes, some of which are fresh while others are salty. Badain Jaran Desert is well known for its queer peaks, singing sand, lakes, temples.

The desert officially open to the public tourism is called Badain Jaran Desert Tourism Area. It is located about 150km northeast of Badan Jilin Zhen ( the seat of Alxa Right Banner) and 450km west of Bayanhaotezhen, or Bayanhao Town ( the seat of Alxa Left Banner )

Location: North of Alxa Right Banner
Best Visit Time: Summer and Autumn;
How to get there: Drive from Dalaikubu 达来库布镇 or Bayanhot 巴彦浩特

8. Mandela Cliff Paintings 曼德拉山岩画

Mandela Yanhua ( Cliff Paintings) The cliff paintings are located in the Mandala Mountains on the Western edge of Badain Jaran Desert, 14km to the southwest of Mandela Town and 208 km northeast of Badan Jilin Zhen. Within an area of 18 square km, there are 6000 ancient cliff carvings scattered around, one of the treasure trove of the world most ancient art.

If you want to google the place “Mandela Cliff Paintings“, please google “Mandela Shanyan Huabaohu Management Station“, which is the name that the google identifies the place.

Mandela Yanhua ( Cliff Paintings) 208km northeast of Badan Jilin Zhen ( Google)

Mandela Mountain is located in Sumu, in Alxa Right Banner (Alxa Youqi) . The numerous cliff paintings on the mountain vividly have recorded the Alxa’ history, culture and social development.

Location: 14 away from Sumu, North of Alxa Right Banner
Best Visit Time: Summer and Autumn;
How to get there: Drive from Sumu, North of Alxa Right Banner

9. Haisen Chulu Scenic Area 海森楚鲁怪石城

Haisen Chulu Scenic Area (Haisenchulu Wind-Eroded Landscape) is also known as Haisenchulu Wind-erosion Geomorphology Scenic Area. It is located about 200 kilometers to the northwest of Ekenhuduge Town, the capital of Alxa Right Banner.

Haisenchulu used to be a sea. Later the sea bed rised and was turned into land. The original rocks on the sea bed were eroded by the wind and rain for centuries have become the present shapes, dubbed as “the kingdom of Miraculous Stones”.

Haisen Chulu Scenic Area 180km northwest of Badan Jilin Zhen ( Google)

Location: 180 km to the northwest of Badan Jilin Zhen 巴丹吉林镇, the seat of Alxa Right Banner
Best Visit Time: Summer and Autumn;
How to get there: Drive from Badan Jilin Zhen 巴丹吉林镇 , the seat of Alxa Right Banner

10. Juyanhai Lake (Juyan Lake) 居延海

Historically Juyanhai Lake was divided into East Juyan Lake and West Juyan Lake. The ancient Juyanhai Lake was fed by Ejina River. The grassland around the lake used to be lush wtih fertile land, one of the earliest cultivated area in China.

In 1960s, the lake was dried up and the dried river beds posed s great threat to Beijing and other cities by creating sandstorms. Great efforts have been made to save and protect the eco enviroment of Juyan Lake. The waters of Heihe River has been diverted to Juyan Lake. Now Juyan Lake has returned to its former charming. It is located 40km to the northwest of Dalaihubu Town, the capital of Ejina Banner.

Location: 40km to the north of Dalaikubu Town
Best Visit Time: Summer and Autumn;
How to get there: Drive from Dalaikubu Town 达来库布镇 of Ejina Banner

Tip: Hassle-free Inner Mongolia Guided Tours

If you don’t want to go the do-it-yourself route and prefer the hassle-free escorted tours, here are some options for guided tours to Inner Mongolia:

Inner Mongolia Tour
Mid-Inner Mongolia Tour (Hohhot, Baotou, Ordos)
East Inner Mongolia Tour (Xanadu,Wulan Butong, Xilinhot, Chifeng)
Northeast Inner Mongolia Tour (Hulunbuir)
West Inner Mongolia Tour (Alashan “Alxa” League)
Hohhot Tour

The Location of Meidaizhao Temple (美岱召)

If you are planning Inner Mongolia tour, a side trip to Meidaizhao either from Baotou or Hohhot is highly recommended. Meidaizhao Monastery ( (美岱召) is located in Meidaizhao Village below the massive Daqing Mountain of the Yinshan Range, Tumd Right Banner, Dong He District, Baotou, Inner Mongolia.

Meidaizhao Monastery located between Baotou and Hohhot

Meidaizhao Temple ( (美岱召) lies between Baotou ( 98km east of Baotou) and Hohhot ( 99km west of Hohhot), just on the north of Jingzang Expressway No.6 (or National Highway 110) , a historical site conveniently accessible either from Hohhot or Baotou.

Add： Meidaizhao Village, Meidaizhao Town, Tumd Right Banner, Baotou City, Inner Mongolia
内蒙古自治区包头市土默特右旗美岱召镇美岱召村
Tel: 0472-8850012

How to Get to Meidaizhao Monastery & Tickets

You can take train either from Hohhot or Baotou to Salaqi Railway Station (萨拉齐站) . Salaqi Station is located in Salaqi Town, Tumed Right Banner, Baotou City and it is on Jibao Railway Line, a third class station under the jurisdiction of Hohhot Railway Bureau, built in 1922.

Salaqi Railway Station 22km away from Meidaizhao Temple ( Google)

Arriving a Salaqi Train Station out, go west, to the intersection of the overpass, and wait on the road for Minibus No.6 ( 5 yuan ) for Meidai Zhao Village. Alight at Meidaizhao Village, you will see a memorial arch in front of the village, after the memorial arch go straight ahead, a few minutes later you can see Meidai Zhao Monastery.

Alternatively you also can take the long-distance buses either from Baotou or Hohhot.

Entrance ticket:
30 yuan/person

Open time:
09:00-17:00
09:00-16:00 (ticket collection Time) (Monday – Sunday, January 1st – December 31st)

ABCs of Meidaizhao Monastery

“Meidaizhao” literally means “Maitreya Temple” in Mongolian ( Zhao means “temple”). Meidaizhao Monastery was originally built in 1565 as a fortified capital city of the Daming Golden Kingdom (大明金国) in Ming Dynasty, also known as Altan Khan Kingdom (阿勒坦汗国), (a vassal of Ming Dynasty) established by Altan Khan (1507 – 1582) .

Altan Khan (阿勒坦汗) was a descendant of Kublai Khan (1215–1294). He managed to unite the Mongols in the north and the south. His name means “Golden Khan” in the Mongolian language, hence the kingdom’s name.

In 1571, Altan Khan was granted the title Shunyi Wang (顺义王) from the Longqing Emperor (March 4, 1537- July 5, 1572), the 12th emperor of China (Ming dynasty). With the assistance of his wife known as Sannianzi (三娘子) (Grand Queen), the Daming Golden Kingdom kept peace peace with the Ming Dynasty for over 40 years.

With a new city known as Hohhot(“Green City) built by Altan Khan and the Grand Queen in the current old town in Hohhot, the political center of Altan Khan Kingdom was move on to Hohhot.

In 1606, the Meidaizhao fortress was transformed into a lamasery. So Altan Khan was the founder of the original city of Hohhot which literally means “green city” in Mongolian.

The Layout of Meidaizhao Temple

The present temple occupies an area of 4000 square meters encompassing the over 200 Ming and Qing era buildings including Sakyamuni Hall (Hall of Great Hero), Glazed Hall, Dalai Temple, Sannianzi Hall.

The temple is surrounded by a 5-meter high stone wall in a rectangular shape with a perimeter of 681 meters. The big draw is the 1650-square-meter murals in Ming and Qing Dynasties preserved in the Hall of Great Hero.

Virtual Tour of Meidaizhao Temple

If you are planning Inner Mongolia tour, a side trip to Meidaizhao either from Baotou or Hohhot is highly recommended.

Follow me to have a virtual tour of the ancient city of Meidaizhao Temple.

The Entrance to Meidaizhao Temple

The south gate to the fortress temple and Daqingshan Mountain lies behind the temple.

Listening to Buddhist Scripture” Pine Trees

The two old pine trees in front of the Great Hero Hall ( Sakyamuni Hall ) are known as “Listening to Buddhist Scripture” pine trees, west is female and east male, over 400 years old when the temple was originally started being built.

Sakyamuni Hall 大雄宝殿

Sakyamuni Hall has three connected halls with two floors and 3 double eaves. The roofs of the three halls are in the gable style. The east, west and south sides of the hall are surrounded by white Tibetan brick walls, forming an architectural body combining Han and Tibet. The lower part of the west wall of the Temple is a group of Mongolian nobles worshipping Buddha.

Sakyamuni Hall has the priceless mural in the main hall starting from the waist line to the ceiling. The mural scene is grand. You need to look up to see it. In the middle of the north wall is painted the giant statue of Sakyamuni, and the background is painted with sakyamuni’s story of Buddha. Under the wall of the four Kings and Fu Hu Arhat, the cloth bag monk.

One of the murals in Sakyamuni Hall ( Image Credit: Internet) (Camera Forbidden )

Many of the Mongolian costumes on these mural paintings can be found in the Book of Yi Custom written by Xiao Daheng in Ming Dynasty. It is a valuable material for studying Mongolian history, folk customs and costumes in Ming and Qing Dynasties.

The Nai Qiong Temple 乃琼殿

The Nai Qiong Temple is the former dwelling place for Mal Da Li living Buddha （四世达赖的代表人麦达里活佛在此坐床传佛） in Qing Dynasty. The original statue of Mal Da Li is not available. Instead, it shrines the statue of Guardian of God.

The Glazed Hall (Liuli Hall) 琉璃殿

Built in 1566, the Glazed Hall (Liuli Hall) was formerly the meeting hall of Altan Khan Kingdom. Now it is devoted to Three Buddhas, a typical Ming architecture.

The Dalai Temple 达赖庙

The Dalai Temple is given to the Third Dalai Lama – Sonam Gyatso who came here in 1582 for practicing Buddhism and held a new funeral ceremony for Altan Khan. The title of Dalai Lama was given by Altan Khan.

This Dalai Temple is given to the Third Dalai Lama

The Grand Queen Hall 太后庙

The Grand Queen Hall, a burial place for the third wife ( also known as Sannianzi) of Altan Khan. She assisted her husband managing the kingdom and keeping good relationship with the Ming Dynasty for over 40 years.

The Grand Queen Hall is surrounded by columns of the funeral hall style building, the funeral hall of the third wife ( also known as Sannianzi) of Altan Khan. The original 1-meter-high sandalwood tower covered with a pot was removed in 1966. When it was removed, it was discovered that there was an underground palace under the tower. In the palace, there was a bag of ashes, three combs, six rosaries, a triangular silver-plated medicine box and two pairs of diamond ears.

In the Grand Queen Temple, there are murals painted in the Ming Dynasty, Mongolian costume figures in the picture,. The legend goes that there are the portraits of Alta Khan and the Grand Queen in the murals.

The statues of Alta Khan and the Grand Queen ( Sannianzi – third wife).

An ancient city 古城

Meidaizhao Temple was originally an ancient city in an irregular square shape. The south gate is the main gate.

The fortified temple stands facing the south below Daqing Mountain on the north, surrounded by a 681-meter long stone wall, 5 meters high. Ascending the wall, you are able to have a clear picture of the ancient city, a former capital of Altan Khan Kingdom.

Ascending the wall, you are able to have a clear picture of the ancient city

The northern wall of the temple below the Daqing Mountain （大青山）.

One of the corner towers ( Turrets) on the wall

Standing on the wall, you are able to have a clear picture of the Sakymuni Hall and Glazed Hall.

Tip: Hassle-free Hohhot & Inner Mongolia Guided Tours

If you don’t want to go the do-it-yourself route and prefer the hassle-free escorted tours, here are some options for guided tours to Inner Mongolia:

1. Golden Horde Mongolian Tribe 金帐汗蒙古部落

It is a tourist destination, the only nomadic tribe open to the tourists. It is a reproduction of the camping tents in Genghis Khan’s time, a kind of travel experience bringing people back to the old days.

Golden Horde Mongolian Tribe ( 金帐汗蒙古部落 ) about 38km north of Hulunbuir (Hailar) Google

It is built in the heartland of Hulunbuir Grassland, on the banks of Moergele River that is hailed as China’s first Qushui (River bends).

Check out my another article Sunrise Glow over Hulunbuir Grassland for more information.

The sunset over the Golden Horde Mongolian Tribe

This area’s natural pasture is well known home and abroad. Historical records show, many ancient ethnic groups once originated and developed. They lived here from generation to generation till the 12th and 13th centuries when Genghis Khan and his followers united all the Mongolian tribes here and marched towards the areas in most of Asia and Eastern Europe.

Best Visit Time: May – September ( July and August are the best months )
Add: On the banks of Moergele River the New Barag Left Banner 呼伦巴尔市陈巴尔虎旗莫尔格勒河畔
Entrance Fee: free
How to get there: Take shuttle bus from Hailar ( along S201 and 38km )
Opening Hours: 08:00 – 18:00

2. Enhexiang Russian Village 恩和民族乡

Enhexiang Village is the only Russian village (Enhe Russian Ethnic Township) in China with over 400 Russian descendants of the total 900 or some villagers. The Enhe Russian Ethnic Township is located along the east bank of Ergun River (Eerguna River) , about 222km to the north of Hulunbuir city center (Hailar).

Enhexiang is about 222km to the north of Hulunbuir city (Hailar). Google

Enhexiang Village is on the transitional area between Hulunbuir Grasslands and the forest. The main reason to go to Enhe Village is to enjoy the local culture and visit the grassland on the mountain slope west of the village.

June and September is the best time to snap the fabulous pictures of the sheep and oxen grazing at ease on the grasslands. The sheep and oxen appear partly hidden and partly visible due to the thin mist.

The Enhe Russian Ethnic Township is awash with flowers around June 10 while in September this typical grassland and forest transitional area presents a charming landscape – golden yellow birch trees and the Xingan pine trees. The soft lights in the early morning and in the evening, plus the mobile mist on the surface of the slope, guaranteeing you a great candid photo opportunity.

3. Shiwei Town (Shiweizhen) 室韦

Shiwei ( or Shiweizhen) is a border town in the northeast of Ergun City (Eerguna City). It is on the east bank of the Ergun River (Eerguna River) and abuts Russia. Shiwei is inhabited mostly by the Chinese-Russian descendants.

Check out Shiwei Travel Tips for more information.

Shiweizhen( Shiwei Town) about 285 km north of Hulunbuir ( google)

Shiwei is one of the cradles of Mongols. Now it is a beautiful town with multi-ethnic groups including Mongols. It was once listed as one of top ten most beautiful townships in China.

Russian style wooden house ( Mukeleng House)

The town and its surrounding villages feature the Russian style in terms of architectures and living habits. Stay overnight in a traditional Russian style wooden house ( Mukeleng House) is a top choice for many tourists.

Best Visit Time: May – September ( July and August are the best months )
Add: Shiwei, Ergun City, Hulunbuir 呼伦巴尔额尔古纳室韦镇
Entrance Fee: free
How to get there: Take bus from Hailar to Ergun City, then take bus from Eerguna to Shiwei
Hire a car or van from Hailaier to Shiwei ( 160km, 4 hours )
Opening Hours: All year

4. Linjiang Village, Shiweizhen 室韦镇临江村

Linjiang Village is under the jurisdiction of Shiweizhen Town, Ergune City of Hulunbuir. Linjiang Village is 10 km from Shiweizhen Town, 174 km from Ergun City, and about 300 km from Hailar (Downtown of Hulunbuir City).

Lijiang Village 10km northeast of Shiweizhen Town (Google)

Linjiang Village is on the east bank of the Ergun River (Eerguna River) and abuts Russia with many the Chinese-Russian descendants.

The village features the Russian style in terms of architectures and living habits. Stay overnight in a traditional Russian style wooden house ( Mukeleng House) is a top choice for many tourists.

Check out my another article Road Trip from Ergun to Linjiang Village for more travel information.

The fog-shrouded Linjiang Village in the early morning

Through years’ tourism development, no longer a pristine village, but Linjiang Village is still a laid back escape from the hustle and bustle of the big cities with charming rape- seed flowers, wheat fields, grassland and Russian style life.

You have a good sunrise shot at the East Mountain while sunset shot at the South Mountain. If you are going to shoot the sunrise, you don’t need to get up early due to the fact that Linjiang Village is usually misty and foggy in the early morning and the mist will disperse after 7:00am.

The best time to photograph the fields and village is at the almost end of the dispersed mist. The great view of the rape-seed flowers fall on early July till July 20. In autumn, around September 15 each year, put up overnight in Linjiang Village to shoot the beautiful wooden houses and yellow birch trees.

5. Moerdaoga National Forest Park 莫尔道嘎国家森林公园

The Moerdaoga National Forest Park is the first national forest park in the Greater Khingan Range (Greater Xing’an Mountain ) within Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.

Moerdaoga National Forest Park about 337km north of Hulunbuir ( Google)

It is the biggest national forest park of its kind in China. “Moerdaoga” literally means that “Set out for battle and Ride your horses” that was legendarily said by Genghis Khan who tried to integrate the tribes.

Check out Moerdaoga Travel G uide for more information.

Entrance to Moerdaoga National Forest Park

The forest park abuts the Hulunbuir Grassland on the south, the Erguna River on the north, filled with old and tall trees and numerous streams and rivers. The park is within the administration Moerdaoga Town of Ergun City.

Best Visit Time: May – September ( July and August are the best months )
Add: Moerdaoga Town, Ergun City, Hulunbuir 呼伦巴尔额尔古纳莫尔道嘎镇
Entrance Fee: RMB130
How to get there: Take bus from Hailar to the Park ( Daily one bus 8 hours)
Take overnight train from Hailaer to Moerdaoga Town ( 10 hours )

6. Aoluguya Reindeer Village 敖鲁古雅鄂温克民族乡

Aoluguya Reindeer Village is officialy known as Aoluguya Ewenki Ethnic Township. The town is inhabited by the Ewenki people, the only hunting tribe left in China which still keeps the habit of raising reindeers.

They came from Siberia over three hundred years ago and have been living in the dense primeval forest and surviving on herding reindeers.

Check out Aoluguya Travel Guide for more information.

Aoluguya Reindeer Village about 472km north of Hulunbuir by road (Google)

People would like to walk around the town and visit the Aoluguya Ewenki Ethnic Reindeer Museum and primary tribes and handicrafts workshops.

The cone shaped house covered with birch bark is the temporary house for Evenki live in forests

Best Visit Time: May – September ( July and August are the best months )
Add: Aoluguya Township, Mangui Town, Genhe City, Hulunbuir 呼伦贝尔根河市满归镇以北约17公里敖鲁古雅乡
Entrance Fee: RMB80
How to get there: Take bus from Hailar to Ergun, then connect bus for Aoluguya ( 260km to the northeast of Hailaer )
Take train from Hailaer to Mangui Town, connect bus for Aoluguya

7. Ergun City （Eerguna）额尔古纳

The legendary city of Ergun is located on the northern area of Hulunbuir Prairie and on the right bank of Ergun River with an area of 28,400 km2.

Check out Ergun Travel Guide for more information.

The downtown Ergun City is about 130km north of Hulunbuir (Hailar)

It was the hometown of Genghis Khan (1162-1227), who united all the tribes and started to conquer most of Asia and Eastern Europe.

Best Visit Time: May – September ( July and August are the best months )
Add: 130km to the northeast of Hailaer District of Hulunbuir
Entrance Fee: Free
How to get there: Take bus from Hailar to Ergun (130km to the northeast of Hailaer)

8. The Erguna Wetland Scenic Area 额尔古纳湿地景区

The Erguna Wetland Scenic Area, originally known as Genhe Wetland, has an area of 126,000 hectare , the largest wetland in Asia, about 3km to the west of Ergun City. The Ergun Wetland is scattered around the forest and the grassland with many types including marshes, shrub swamps, swamp forest, open bogs and moss.

The Ergun WEtland ( also known as Genhe Wetland, Or Xishan Wetland )

Best Visit Time: May – October
Add: Xishan, Ergun City, Hulunbuir 呼伦贝尔额尔古纳市西山
Entrance Fee: RMB65
How to get there: Take bus from Ergun

9. Manzhouli City 满洲里

Manzhouli is the largest border city in Inner Mongolia. It abuts Russia in the north, approx. 192km to the west of Hailaier (the city center of Hulunbuir). Manzhouli has the largest border crossing in China. The National Gate ( Guo Men ) is 9 kilometers to the west of Manzhouli Downtown.

Check out the following three articles for more information:
Night View of Manzhouli City
Architecture of Manzhouli
Top 10 Attractions in Manzhouli

The street makes a lovely walk in the evening in Manzhouli

Manzhouli is a port city of comprising the folk customs of the three countries including China, Russia and Mongolia, a blend of Chinese and Western cultures. The City is rife with unique buildings of Russian, Mongoian and Chinese styles.

10. Hulun Lake 呼伦湖

Hulun Lake, also known as Dalai Hu, and Hulun Nur in Mongolian. this massive lake pops out of the landscape 36km south of Manzhoul, China’s fifth-largest lake.

Hulun Lake is located near the National Highway No.301 on the route from Hailar to Manzhouli. You can visit Hulun Lake either from Hailar or Manzhouli. The lake itself is under the jurisdiction of Manzhouli City, but it actually lies in the area surrounded by Manzhouli, New Barag Left Banner and New Barag Right Banner.

Check out Hulun Lake Travel Tips for more information.

The Hulun Lake is located west of Hulunbuir.

The Hulun Lake is an ideal summer resort in terms of cool climate, beautiful scenery and fresh air. If you come here in summer, you are able to participate in many activities such as boating on the lake, fishing on the lake shore, sunbathing, bird watching. You can also have a bite of the local all-fish feast with numerous delicious and nourishing dishes of fish.

Entrance fee: RMB 20
Opening Hours: 8:00 – 18:00
How to get there: Hire a taxi from Manzhouli ( RMB200 return)

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Tip: Hassle-free Hulunbuir Guided Tours

If you don’t want to go the do-it-yourself route and prefer the hassle-free escorted tours, here are some options for guided tours to Hulunbuir Grassland, Inner Mongolia:

Beijing Hulunbuir Classic Loop 6 Day Tour
Beijing Hulunbeier Folk Culture 4 Day Tour

Beijing Yinchuan Alxa Highlight 7 Day Tour

3 Day Beijing Shangdu (Xanadu) Tour
4-Day Beijing Xilinglo Glassland Shangdu Mongolia Culture Tour

Archive for the ‘Inner Mongolia Travel’ Category

Top 10 Attractions in Alxa League (Tips, Photos & Map)

1. Tenggeli Desert (Tengger Desert)腾格里沙漠

2. Guangzong Temple 广宗寺

3. Helanshan Mountain ( Ho-lan Mountains) 贺兰山

4. Ejin Poplar Forest 额济纳胡杨林

5. Heicheng Historic Site 黑城遗址

6. Ceke Port 策克口岸

7. Badain Jaran Desert 巴丹吉林沙漠

8. Mandela Cliff Paintings 曼德拉山岩画

9. Haisen Chulu Scenic Area 海森楚鲁怪石城

10. Juyanhai Lake (Juyan Lake) 居延海

Tip: Hassle-free Inner Mongolia Guided Tours

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The Location of Meidaizhao Temple (美岱召)

How to Get to Meidaizhao Monastery & Tickets

ABCs of Meidaizhao Monastery

The Layout of Meidaizhao Temple

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The Glazed Hall (Liuli Hall) 琉璃殿

The Dalai Temple 达赖庙

The Grand Queen Hall 太后庙

An ancient city 古城

Tip: Hassle-free Hohhot & Inner Mongolia Guided Tours

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Top 10 Attractions in Hulunbuir (Tips, Photos & Map)

1. Golden Horde Mongolian Tribe 金帐汗蒙古部落

2. Enhexiang Russian Village 恩和民族乡

3. Shiwei Town (Shiweizhen) 室韦

4. Linjiang Village, Shiweizhen 室韦镇临江村

5. Moerdaoga National Forest Park 莫尔道嘎国家森林公园

6. Aoluguya Reindeer Village 敖鲁古雅鄂温克民族乡

7. Ergun City （Eerguna）额尔古纳

8. The Erguna Wetland Scenic Area 额尔古纳湿地景区

9. Manzhouli City 满洲里

10. Hulun Lake 呼伦湖

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Tip: Hassle-free Hulunbuir Guided Tours

Further Readings