Discover the Enchanting Inner Mongolia: A Journey Through Vast Steppes and Golden Forests
Your Ultimate Guide to an Unforgettable Inner Mongolia Adventure
Inner Mongolia, a captivating autonomous region nestled in the north of China, shares its borders with Mongolia and Russia. It's a land that will steal your heart, especially with the majestic Hulunbuir grasslands, the largest in China, as its crown jewel. If you dream of emerald green landscapes and a riot of wildflowers, summer is your calling. For a more romantic escape, imagine the golden hues of birch forests in autumn. And if a winter wonderland is what you seek, the snow-covered plains are simply breathtaking. This region experiences its autumn foliage remarkably early; the absolute best time to chase those golden leaves is the last two weeks of October.
Getting There: Your Flight Plan to Hailar
To reach this magnificent destination, your gateway is Hailar (海拉尔). Currently, there are no direct flights from Vietnam to Hailar. I booked my flights about a month and a half in advance through Trip.com, opting for a four-leg round trip journey. My flights included Hanoi to Shanghai with a four-hour layover, followed by Shanghai to Hailar with Juneyao Airlines. The return journey involved Hailar to Beijing with an eight-hour transit, and then Beijing to Hanoi with Air China. Generally, flights originating from Ho Chi Minh City tend to be more economical than those from Hanoi. For those looking to stretch their budget even further, you could fly into Harbin and then take a train to Hailar, though this will naturally add to your travel time.
Budgeting Your Adventure: A Breakdown of Costs
Here's a glimpse into the estimated expenses for this incredible trip. The round-trip flight cost was approximately 8.6 million VND. A visa came in at 2.5 million VND. For seamless connectivity, I opted for an eSIM offering 20GB of data, which cost 620,000 VND, allowing me to stay connected on platforms like TikTok. The land tour in China, which covered transportation, accommodation, all entrance fees, and a fantastic array of activities �C including grass sliding, horseback riding, goat milking, archery, enjoying Mongolian milk tea, trying on traditional Mongolian attire, and a complimentary drone video �C was 2690 Chinese Yuan per person. We traveled as a duo, and I must say, this tour felt incredibly reputable. Our driver was wonderfully friendly and attentive, and the accommodation was more than satisfactory. The price felt so good, it was almost as if they were running it out of sheer passion! Our driver often treated us to delicious milk tea and ice cream, which we thoroughly enjoyed. We were so delighted with our experience that if you're considering a similar trip, feel free to message me on WeChat for details!
For meals, personal expenses, and tips, I budgeted an additional 1200 Chinese Yuan. In total, the estimated cost for this adventure hovers around 25 to 26 million VND.
A Culinary Exploration: Savoring Inner Mongolian Flavors
Overall, I found the food in Inner Mongolia to be quite accessible, largely because our driver expertly guided us to excellent restaurants. We focused on delicious beef and pork dishes, as we didn't opt for lamb. There are also numerous delightful and affordable snacks to discover! What's more, you'll find many superb Russian restaurants that are an absolute treat for the taste buds.
Your Day-by-Day Itinerary: Crafting Memories
- Day 1: Vietnam - Hailar
- Day 2: Hailar - Hulunbur Grasslands - Morigele River - Ergun Wetlands. Overnight in Ergun.
- Day 3: Ergun - Aoluguya Reindeer Tribe - Hingan Sacred Deer Park (this was an additional request, with a separate entrance fee). Overnight in Mordaoga.
- Day 4: Mordaoga National Forest Park. Experience the enchanting autumn journey on the mini train winding through the forest �C it's truly magical! This train journey covers four segments with opportunities to switch trains. It's a testament to China's impressive approach to tourism. In the afternoon, we visited another beautiful scenic spot (the name escapes me but it was lovely!). We then stayed overnight in the charming and peaceful town of Shiwei, with its nostalgic Russian architecture.
- Day 5: Shiwei - Drive along the China-Russia border road. This route is absolutely stunning, adorned with the most vibrant golden foliage. Along the way, you'll encounter hay bales, dairy cows, and sheep and goats freely roaming, perfect for spontaneous photos! In the afternoon, we enjoyed grass sliding, various grassland activities, and horseback riding to witness a breathtaking sunset in Heishantou. Overnight in a yurt.
- Day 6: Heishantou - Manzhouli. Explore the Matryoshka Doll Square, home to the world's largest Russian nesting doll. The evenings here are filled with beautiful and delicious Russian restaurants.
- Day 7: Mammoth Park, featuring impressive mammoth statues and charming castles (another special request with its own ticket fee). We then visited Hulun Lake, a renowned lake that, for me, didn't quite live up to expectations, perhaps due to the lack of sunshine. We then returned to Hailar for a farewell dinner, a stroll through the old town, and an evening flight back to Vietnam.
This autumn trip was a fantastic blend of value and enjoyment. The itinerary was wonderfully relaxed, with daily travel covering only about 150-200 km. Inner Mongolia remains a less-trafficked gem, retaining its charm. We were profoundly impressed by the local people of Inner Mongolia. The scenery is beautiful, serene, and uncrowded, complemented by an incredibly helpful driver and wonderful travel companions.
