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DANIELLA NEALUnited States

Who understands that Inner Mongolia actually has the green wonderland that introverts love?

It is praised by Chinese National Geography as the "Emerald Kingdom on Volcanic Lava"! Enter the autumn myth of 47° north latitude. Volcanoes caress the Milky Way, and the forest sea embroiders gilded gold. This is the "tear" of the Greater Khingan Mountains and a secret place jointly guarded by the Mongolian and Ewenki people. The 3,000-year-old volcanic cluster has sunk into a lake, and the unfrozen river is steaming with white mist. Every breath is a mixture of pine needles and sulfur. Some people always say, "The north is only desolate," until I lay in the Luming Hot Spring of Arxan and watched the meteor streak across the pupil of Tianchi Lake— It turns out that this is the ultimate romance of northern Xinjiang 👉 Epic 2-day and 1-night guide, please save it quickly! Inner Mongolia, Hinggan League, Arxan City 🎫 Arxan National Forest Park: CNY 285/person (including sightseeing bus); Hot Spring Museum: CNY 298/person ✈️ Fly to "Arxan Yiershi Airport" 🚂 Train to Arxan Station, "China's Most Beautiful Small Station"; drive 8 hours from Beijing/Shenyang through the Horqin Grassland Must-see Spots 1. Arxan Tianchi Lake: The "Mirror of the Sky" held up by the crater. When the morning mist has not yet cleared, climb the 998 steps and overlook the clouds swirling in the heart of the lake to form a Tai Chi pattern. 2. Unfrozen River: A magical section of the river where the heat is still steaming at -40℃. In winter, the river surface is covered with rime, and the underwater green algae dance together. Occasionally, herds of cattle wade through the water like an idyllic pastoral scene. 3. Rhododendron Lake: The blue moment of the volcanic barrier lake. In May, the rhododendrons on the lake shore burn into pink flames, and in winter, the ice bubble lake seals hundreds of millions of bubble galaxies. 4. Shitou River Rock Forest: The largest volcanic lava landform in Asia. Black basalt is covered with lichens, and the hiking trail is like walking on the surface of the moon. 5. White Wolf Peak: The highest point of the Greater Khingan Mountains. Climb to the top to wait for the "Forest Sea Sunrise" and overlook the colorful forests like God's overturned palette. 6. Deer Park (The Inn): Touch the noses of the reindeer, and capture the healing scene of "Ergun River Right Bank" instantly when feeding moss. 7. Snow Village: The Chinese version of the "Alpine Chalet Group". In winter, the warm yellow lights reflect the snow, and you can take a horse-drawn sleigh through the birch rime gallery. Four Seasons Symphony Route Day 1: Dialogue between Volcano and Forest Sea Arxan Station → Wusulangzi Lake Morning Mist → Tianchi Lake Summit → Shitou River Rock Forest Exploration → Unfrozen River Sunset → Night Hot Spring Museum (taste cold spring boiled eggs) Day 2: Secret Realm Fully Open Mode White Wolf Peak chasing the sunrise → Deer Park encounter with reindeer → Olunbu Kan hiking (location of "Candle in the Tomb") → Snow Village fairy tale night/eat a grassland roast lamb chop before returning 🌸 Limited Seasonal Surprise: May (Rhododendron Flower Sea + Bracken Picking) Mid-September to Early October (Autumn Colors + Mo'erdaoga Highway Self-driving) December to February (Ski Resort Skiing + Ice Bubble Lake Photography) Survival Rules ✔️ Season Code: The peak of autumn colors is around September 25! The Mo'erdaoga Highway is full of colorful forests. Occupy the viewing platform on the east side of Tianchi Lake 1 hour before sunrise. ✔️ Traffic Alert: The scenic sightseeing bus runs every 40 minutes! It is recommended to charter a car (CNY 500/day) for flexible stops, and be sure to change to snow tires in winter. ✔️ Accommodation Game: Highly recommend the wooden cabins in the "Tianchi Service Area" where you can see the forest sea when you open the window; stay at the "Blue Ocean Mineral Spring Hotel" in the snow season to privately enjoy the volcanic hot spring. ✔️ Taste Revolution: You must try Artemisia selengensis stewed spareribs, fried Hala Sea (wild nettle), and venison pie, and avoid the "expensive cold water fish" in the scenic area. ✔️ Dressing Formula: Autumn = windbreaker + thin down liner, winter = thickened down jacket + waterproof boots, prepare goggles (snow reflection hurts the eyes). ✔️ Cultural Password: You need to go around the Aobao clockwise for three circles, do not step on the moss on the volcanic rock, and give a bag of salt first to show friendship when shooting the Ewenki people. "When the autumn leaves of Arxan fall on your shoulders, time takes shape" Here, the volcano is a silent poem, and the forest is a flowing painting. Wait for a forest sunset, wait for a deer's eyes to meet, wait for a wilderness love letter at 47° north latitude 🏔️ (Recommended pictures: aerial photography of Tianchi Lake morning mist/unfrozen river rime grazing cattle/Shitou River Rock Forest lava landform/healing moment of reindeer feeding)
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Posted: May 4, 2025
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Aershan National Forest Park

4.3/55490 reviews | Natural scenery
Arxan
No.1 of Best Things to Do in Arxan
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