CITY · INNER MONGOLIA
Hulunbuir
呼伦贝尔 · Hūlúnbèiěr
Overview
Prefecture-level city in northeastern Inner Mongolia encompassing the Hulunbuir Grasslands — one of the largest and least-degraded steppe grasslands remaining in the world. Summer yurt tourism, Evenki and Daur minority culture, and the taiga forests of the Greater Khingan Range.
Hulunbuir is a prefecture-level city whose administrative area covers roughly 250,000 square kilometres in the far northeast of Inner Mongolia, bordering Russia and Mongolia. The urban centre is Hailar, a mid-sized city that serves as the transport hub and is usually what visitors mean when they say 'Hulunbuir city'. The prefecture's name is far better known than Hailar's, because it refers to the Hulunbuir Grasslands — an immense rolling steppe that stretches west from the Greater Khingan Range (Daxinganling) into the Russia-Mongolia border zone.
The grasslands are genuinely extensive and in summer (June–August) present a landscape of unbroken green steppe punctuated by rivers, oxbow lakes and herds of cattle and horses. The Mörön River (Moerdaogē) meanders through the central grassland in a series of pronounced bends that are particularly photogenic from the air or from elevated viewpoints. The main grassland tourism zone — accessible from Hailar — includes several developed scenic areas with yurt accommodation, horse riding, Mongolian cultural performances and the Genghis Khan-era heritage that is broadly promoted in Inner Mongolia tourism.
The Greater Khingan Mountains to the east contain some of the most southerly taiga forest in China, home to Evenki (Ewenki) and Oroqen reindeer-herding communities. The town of Aoluguya, northeast of Hailar, is the main settlement of China's only remaining reindeer-herding Evenki community. The Argun River on the Russia border and the Russian border town of Manzhouli (with its Russian-built architecture and giant matryoshka landmark) add further variety to the region.
Winter in Hulunbuir is severe: Hailar regularly records temperatures below -30°C, and the Greater Khingan areas can reach -40°C. Winter tourism has grown around snowmobile and ice activities, but summer remains the practical visiting season for most travellers.
Cultural & access notes
The Mongolian herding families who operate yurt camps in the grassland scenic areas offer a commercialised version of pastoral life — the larger scenic areas near Hailar are more tourist-resort than genuine herding community. The Evenki reindeer herders of Aoluguya are a small and genuinely distinct community; visit respectfully. Mongolian customs include greeting with hada (silk scarves) and accepting offered food and drink.
What to see
- Hulunbuir Grasslands — summer steppe, best viewed from Mörön River bend viewpoints
- Mörön River (Moerdaogē) meanders — classic Inner Mongolia steppe scenery
- Aoluguya Evenki village — China's last reindeer-herding community, northeast of Hailar
- Manzhouli border town — Russian-style buildings, giant matryoshka plaza, Russia border
- Dalai Lake (Hulun Lake) — one of China's largest freshwater lakes, north of Manzhouli
- Hulunbuir Grassland scenic areas — yurt camps and horse riding near Hailar
- Greater Khingan Mountains forest hikes
- Erguna Wetland — riverside wetland on the Argun River near the Russia border
What to eat
- Mongolian roast whole lamb (kǎo quán yáng) — the centrepiece of grassland banquets
- Shouzhuarou — boiled mutton eaten with the hands in the Mongolian tradition
- Airag (fermented mare's milk) — offered at yurt camps during summer
- Inner Mongolia milk tea (nǎi chá) — salty, with roasted grain
- Venison and wild boar from the Greater Khingan Mountains region
- Russian-style bread and borscht in Manzhouli
Getting there
Hailar (Hulunbuir) Airport (HLD) has flights from Beijing, Shanghai and other major cities, with an approximate flight time of 2–3 hours from Beijing [VERIFY: current schedules — May 2026]. By train from Beijing: approximately 20+ hours on standard rail. Manzhouli is on the Trans-Siberian route and has its own rail connections to Hailar.
Getting around
Hired vehicles or organised grassland tours from Hailar are the main way to reach the scenic grassland areas. The grassland scenic zones 30–50 km from Hailar are accessible by taxi or organised transfer. Distances in the prefecture are enormous — Manzhouli is 200 km west of Hailar.
Where to stay
Hotels in Hailar city for a base. Yurt camps within the grassland scenic areas for an immersive experience — most operate June–August only. Manzhouli has a full range of hotels including Russian-themed options.
We list neighbourhoods, not specific hotels — we don't endorse hotels.
When to go
June–August is the only practical season for grassland visits. July is peak season. Late August sees the grass beginning to turn golden. Spring (April–May) is unpredictable and windy. Winter is severe but Manzhouli draws some visitors for its Russia-adjacent novelty.
Budget guide (CNY per day)
| Backpacker | ¥280 |
| Mid-range | ¥580 |
| Comfortable | ¥1400 |
Safety notes
The Russia border area around Manzhouli and the Argun River is a controlled border zone — stay on marked tourist routes. Winter temperatures in the Greater Khingan Range can be life-threatening without proper equipment. Check current border zone access rules.
Itineraries visiting Hulunbuir
Food of Northeastern China
- Di San Xian地三鲜
A simple Dongbei stir-fry of aubergine, potato and green pepper — the vegetarian staple of northeastern China.
- Dongbei Braised Pork Stew东北乱炖
A robust northeastern 'everything pot' of pork ribs, aubergine, potato, beans and corn braised together in a clay pot.
- Guo Bao Rou锅包肉
Crispy battered pork slices in a sweet-and-sour vinegar sauce — a northeastern Chinese dish created in Harbin.
- Pickled Cabbage and Pork Stew酸菜炖猪肉
A long-simmered northeastern stew of fermented cabbage with fatty pork — warming, sour and deeply satisfying.
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