9 Days Hulunbuir Grassland Tour with Reindeer Experience

Tour Overview

This 9 days Inner Mongolia Tour will take you to have fun in Kubuqi Desert with many thrilling sand activities, appreciate the vast grassland, rivers, wetland, and herds of cattle and sheep on Hulunbuir Grassland, experience life in a Russian ethnic village and Aoluguya Reindeer Tribe, and extend your trip to Manzhouli on the China-Russia border.

Highlights of this tour:

1. Experience charming minority culture and nomadic life in Northeast Inner Mongolia.
2. Have fun in Kubuqi Desert and try many thrilling sand activities, including desert surfing, camel riding, sand skiing, etc.
3. Enjoy an in-depth exploration of the Hulunbuir City, including vast Hulunbuir Grassland, precious species on Erguna Wetland, the mysterious Aoluguya Reindeer Tribe, Russian ethnic village, and virgin Moerdaoga National Forest Park.
4. Extend the trip to Manzhouli and soak in the exquisite architecture of the famed Matryoshka Doll Square.
5. Stay overnight in a Mukeleng – a traditional Russian-style wooden dwelling.

Day-by-day Itinerary

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Day 1: Hohhot Arrival

Upon your arrival at the airport in Hohhot, we will pick you up from the arrival hall by holding a welcome board with your name and then escort you to check-in at the hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Accommodation: Hohhot
Day 2: Hohhot - Kubuqi Desert - Dalad Banner
Kubuqi Desert

After breakfast, drive about 2.5 hours to Kubuqi Desert - the seventh-largest desert in China. Upon arrival, take the cable car to Resonant Sand Gorgeocated to witness its resonating sand dunes. Then go desert surfing across the Xianshadao and Yueshadao sand islands. Various optional (charged) desert activities are available here, including camel riding, sand skiing, strop, and Landover crossing the desert...

After that, drive 30 minutes to Dalad Banner for overnight.

Friendly tip: Given the large temperature difference in the desert, you are recommended to take a coat even when traveling here in summer and autumn.

Accommodation: Dalad Banner

Thrilling activities in Kubuqi Desert
Day 3: Dalad Banner - Inner Mongolia Museum - Hulunbuir
Inner Mongolia Museum

After breakfast, drive 2 hours to Inner Mongolia Museum. It is the place to gain an insight into the amazing Mongolian history, displaying numerous treasured fossils, dinosaur remains, and local tradition-related artifacts.

After lunch, your driver will transfer you to the Hohhot airport for your flight to Hulunbuir City. Stay overnight at Hailar District.

Accommodation: Hailar

Exhibits in Inner Mongolia Museum
Day 4: Hulunbuir - Erguna
Hulunbuir Grassland, Erguna Wetland

This morning, you will drive about 40 minutes to the hinterland of Hulunbuir Grassland. En route, enjoy the stunning view of the vast prairie being dotted by herds of cattle and flocks of sheep. Upon arrival, enjoy the free time to stroll leisurely along the gurgling Mergel Gol River. Or try some optional (charged) activities on the grassland, including horse riding.

Hulunbuir Grassland

Then, drive to Erguna Wetland which is 110km away. As the largest wetland in Asia, Erguna Wetland will reward you with various bird species, lush forests, vast grasslands, and meandering rivers.

Accommodation: Erguna
Day 5: Erguna - Genhe - Moerdaoga
visit to a local Russian family, Aoluguya Reindeer Tribe

After breakfast, pay a visit to a local Russian family, learn about their lifestyle, watch traditional music performances, and experience making colored Russian eggs (which can be taken away for free).

Then, drive 2 hours to Aoluguya Reindeer Tribe. As the only ethnic minority group in China raising reindeer, Aoluguya Reindeer Tribe will offer you a rare chance to get close to the cute and tame reindeer, see the unique dwellings of local Ewenki people, and contact with locals to learn more about their mysterious lifestyle.

After that, drive 2.5 more hours to Moerdaoga town to stay overnight in a traditional Ewenki house.

Accommodation: Moerdaoga

Get close to reindeer at Aoluguya Reindeer Tribe
Day 6: Moerdaoga - Shiwei
Moerdaoga National Forest Park

Start today with a visit to Moerdaoga National Forest Park. Boasting the largest virgin forest in China, the park is endowed with undulating mountains, ancient trees, meandering streams, lush vegetation, and an islet blanketed by colorful wildflowers.

Move on to Shiwei (90km away) which is on the China-Russia border. Your guide will escort you to stroll around and admire many local Mukelengs - a kind of Russian house being built with logs on the stone formation. Stay overnight at a Mukeleng.

Accommodation: Shiwei

Moerdaoga National Forest Park
Day 7: Shiwei - Heishantou
Heishantou Ancient Village

After breakfast, commence the trip to Heishantou. You can enjoy the breathtaking birch forest on the way of the 3 hours drive. Upon arrival, visit a local herdsman’s family, try some interesting Mongolian folk activities, enjoy a leisurely wander on the boundless grassland and catch the impressive sunset on the grassland. All the activities are optional, at your own expense.

If the weather is good, there will be a bonfire party after dinner. It is the time when you can thoroughly relax and dance with locals.

Accommodation: Heishantou

bonfire party in Heishantou Ancient Village
Day 8: Heishantou - Manzhouli
Hulun Lake, Mengma Park Tourism Scenic Area, Matryoshka Doll Square

You are recommended to get up early in the morning to catch the breathtaking sunrise over the grassland. After breakfast, we will drive for about 3 hours along the highway to Hulun Lake. One of the top freshwater lakes in China, Hulun Lake is home to numerous fishes, waterfowl, and over 200 migrating bird species. You’ll be left with free time to walk around the lake, enjoying the fresh air and awesome scenery.

Hulun Lake

Then head to the Mengma Park Tourism Scenic Area (about 30 minutes drive) which is rich in Russian-style architecture, and the ethnic culture of the Zhalai Nuoer Area.

Continue your trip to Matryoshka Doll Square - the landmark of Manzhouli. You’ll be attracted by the world’s largest matryoshka doll which stands 30 meters high and consists of a church, restaurant, and music hall.

Accommodation: Manzhouli

Matryoshka Doll Square in Manzhouli
Day 9: Manzhouli - Hulunbuir Departure
After breakfast, drive around 2.5 hours to the airport at Hailar for your departure flight. Thanks for booking the tour. Wish you all the best!