THE PHOTOGRAPHIC JOURNEY
Go beyond the view
Photograph Hulunbuir's autumn grasslands, grazing herds, yurts and open horizons. Seasonal colors and light change with the weather, offering opportunities to explore pastoral life and layers in the landscape.
Grasslands, rivers and wetlands
Photograph autumn colors and flowing lines along the Morigele River and Erguna Wetland.
Forests and border villages
Explore forest scenery and village life in Genhe, Aoluguya, Moerdaoga, Linjiang and Enhe.
Heishantou and Arxan in autumn
Photograph morning mist, sunsets and autumn woodland from Heishantou Wetland to Arxan Forest Park.
The journey in pictures
Photographers linked to this route: Ling Zi →
Itinerary images · Select a photo to enlarge
PHOTOGRAPHY LEADERS
A different way of seeing
Ling Zi
Specializes in filmmaking, writing and directing, production, planning, documentary photography, portraiture and landscapes. Gold award in the folk customs category of the 4th Asia-Pacific Cup International Photography Art Exhibition. She has extensive experience directing and producing promotional films and documentaries, and leads photography trips within China and overseas each year. Her photography post-production training has included more than 400 sessions and 20,000 participant attendances for organizations including the Futian urban management bureau, the water group, the Nanshan publicity department, the Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration, Peking University's MBA program, the Hangcheng, Xixiang, Yutang and Taoyuan community offices, the Guangming New District Photography Association and the Shenzhen Senior Photographers Association.
THE DAYS AHEAD
A rhythm shaped by light
DAY 01Sep 22 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiDay 1: September 22 | Your departure city–Hailar
After arriving by air and meeting at the airport, transfer to the hotel, check in and rest.
Accommodation:Hailar
DAY 02Sep 23 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiDay 2: September 23 | Hailar–Morigele River–Muyun Hilltop–Erguna Wetland–Genhe
After getting up, drive across the boundless grasslands, looking for beautiful scenes to photograph. Follow the Morigele River through the grassland and admire its silver-ribbon beauty. After lunch, drive to Muyun Hilltop’s luxury yurt camp, known as the ‘No. 1 Yurt on the Grassland.’ This is the best place to view sunrise and sunset over the Morigele River, well worth lingering over tea and the scenery. Drive to Erguna Wetland Scenic Area, known as ‘Asia’s No. 1 Wetland’ and among China’s best-preserved wetlands, with beautiful, expansive rivers, marshes, trees and woods. After visiting, continue to Genhe via the old Genhe road’s finest autumn wetland scenery, then check in and rest.
Accommodation:Genhe
DAY 03Sep 24 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiDay 3: September 24 | Genhe–Aoluguya Community (reindeer encounters)–Mordaoga (forest train)–Mordaoga
This morning, drive to the Aoluguya reindeer-herding community, China’s only ethnic minority group that raises reindeer. Meet reindeer like Santa’s, roaming throughout the woods; feed them their favorite moss and play with them. Then drive to Mordaoga Forest Park, home to an ‘autumn fairytale train,’ and ride this charming little train through colorful autumn forests. Enter the golden scenic Genbai Road, a perfect illustration of ‘the most beautiful scenery is along the way.’
Accommodation:Mordaoga
DAY 04Sep 25 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiDay 4: September 25 | Mordaoga–Erguna Border River–Linjiang–Enhe
After breakfast, pass through the forest transition zone to the right bank of the Erguna River, visiting Eagle’s Beak, a filming location for Wheat, and a border-river viewpoint. Continue by road to the Russian-style village of Enhe, check in and rest.
Accommodation:Enhe
DAY 05Sep 26 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiDay 5: September 26 | Enhe–Border Checkpoint Route–Heishantou
Rise early if you wish to admire misty forest views from high ground near the village, then drive across grasslands along the border checkpoint route. Follow the border river through checkpoints Nine, Eight and Seven to Heishantou Wetland. At sunset, head to a high viewpoint for stunning scenery interweaving grassland, colorful forest and rivers.
Accommodation:Heishantou
DAY 06Sep 27 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiDay 6: September 27 | Heishantou–Qixian Lake–Arxan City
After waking, take a leisurely walk in Heishantou Wetland Park, where our hotel is located. Then drive to Qixian Lake for the feeling that ‘the sea begins where the grassland ends.’ Continue to Arxan City, passing Wuli Spring, known as the ‘sacred water of the grassland.’ Its water flows year-round, cool and sweet, suitable for drinking directly or making tea. After dinner, check in and rest.
Accommodation:Arxan City
DAY 07Sep 28 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiDay 7: September 28 | Arxan City–Arxan National Forest Park–Arxan City
Rise early and drive to Arxan Forest Park, one of northeastern China’s most beautiful national parks. Autumn is its finest season, with golden birch forests covering the mountains. Cuckoo Lake, Arxan Heavenly Lake, Shitang Forest and the Grand Canyon all deserve an unhurried visit. In the evening, admire sunset beside the Unfrozen River, then drive back to Arxan City.
Accommodation:Arxan City
DAY 08Sep 29 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiDay 8: September 29 | Arxan City–Hailar
First visit Arxan Railway Station, a small historic station with a charming Japanese style, well worth photographing. Then drive back to Hailar, expecting to arrive in the afternoon. Further activities will depend on everyone’s energy and available time: photograph nearby grasslands or explore Hailar itself.
Accommodation:Hailar
DAY 09Sep 30 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiDay 9: September 30 | Hailar–Home
Free time, then transfer to the airport according to your flight schedule. End of trip.
Trip staff
- Photography leader · Ling Zi
- Up to 5 travelers
Transport
- IncludedVehicle services throughout;
- ExcludedRound-trip transportation between your departure city and Hulunbuir (Hailar);
Travel details and reference schedules
[Reference flights] Reference services for this trip: [Round trip from Guangzhou] Outbound: September 22 | Guangzhou Baiyun T1–Hailar | GJ8567 / 06:15 / 12:55 (50-minute stop at Hohhot Baita Airport) Return: September 30 | Hailar–Guangzhou Baiyun T1 | GJ8568 / 18:45 / 01:25+1 (50-minute stop at Hohhot Baita Airport) [Round trip from Shenzhen] Outbound: September 22 | Shenzhen–Hailar | ZH8117 / 06:15 / 10:55 Return: September 30 | Hailar–Shenzhen | ZH8118 / 11:55 / 16:45 Before booking transport, please confirm the departure and travel arrangements through this website. These services are for reference and do not constitute confirmed group transport. Final services and meeting times await operator confirmation.
Photography
- Grasslands, rivers and wetlands
- Forests and border villages
- Heishantou and Arxan in autumn
Photography details
Grasslands, rivers and wetlands Photograph autumn colors and flowing lines along the Morigele River and Erguna Wetland. Forests and border villages Explore forest scenery and village life in Genhe, Aoluguya, Moerdaoga, Linjiang and Enhe. Heishantou and Arxan in autumn Photograph morning mist, sunsets and autumn woodland from Heishantou Wetland to Arxan Forest Park. Grasslands, rivers and wetlands Forests and border villages Heishantou and Arxan in autumn Included · Photography instructor fees during the itinerary;
Accommodation
- 8 nights
- Eight nights in local four-star hotels or the highest-category hotels available. Specific hotel names are subject to operator confirmation.
- IncludedEight nights’ accommodation in local four-star hotels or the highest-category hotels available;
Accommodation details
Eight nights in local four-star hotels or the highest-category hotels available. Specific hotel names are subject to operator confirmation. Day 1：Hailar Day 2：Genhe Day 3：Mordaoga Day 4：Enhe Day 5：Heishantou Day 6：Arxan City Day 7：Arxan City Day 8：Hailar Day 1 · 2026-09-22 Hailar Day 2 · 2026-09-23 Genhe Day 3 · 2026-09-24 Mordaoga Day 4 · 2026-09-25 Enhe Day 5 · 2026-09-26 Heishantou Day 6 · 2026-09-27 Arxan City Day 7 · 2026-09-28 Arxan City Day 8 · 2026-09-29 Hailar 8 nights Eight nights in local four-star hotels or the highest-category hotels available. Specific hotel names are subject to operator confirmation. Included · Eight nights’ accommodation in local four-star hotels or the highest-category hotels available; Excluded · An unmatched male or female traveler, or anyone requesting a private room, must pay a full-trip single supplement;
Meals
- IncludedMeals throughout;
Visa
- To be confirmed by the operator
A CLEAR PICTURE
Know what is included
Deposit in the operator’s published information
per personThis amount reflects the payment terms in the operator’s published information. When booking through this platform, follow the payment schedule shown at checkout.
Public prices may change. Checkout quotes expire at a stated time; your confirmed order records its price and payment deadlines.
Included
Vehicle services throughout;
Eight nights’ accommodation in local four-star hotels or the highest-category hotels available;
Meals throughout;
Photography instructor fees during the itinerary;
Insurance services: complimentary travel accident insurance;
Admission tickets listed in the itinerary.
Not included
Round-trip transportation between your departure city and Hulunbuir (Hailar);
An unmatched male or female traveler, or anyone requesting a private room, must pay a full-trip single supplement;
In exceptional circumstances involving force majeure, such as natural disasters, war, strikes, airline delays or cancellations, or consular visa delays, the organizing team reserves the right to cancel or alter the itinerary. Additional expenses, including visa extensions abroad, accommodation, meals, transport, or adjustments to national airfares, may be charged based on the actual additional expenditure incurred. We will nevertheless do everything within our ability to minimise participants' losses;
Any other additional expenses not expressly listed under inclusions;
Tax is excluded; the applicable invoice tax must be paid additionally if an invoice is required.
Single-room supplements, additional local expenses and the final total must be confirmed in writing.
BEFORE YOU GO
What to know before you go
Availability and booking
Let us know if you’re interested in this trip. Availability is not updated in real time, so please contact us to check whether the trip is confirmed, how many places are available, and the final total and booking terms.
Trip information
[Transport] 1. Flights arranged by the organizing team use economy-class group tickets. Before tickets are issued, check the airline's rules for changes and refunds. 2. Flight, road and boat journey times may vary with conditions on the day. 3. The airlines and flight times listed are for guidance only. Flight changes may require minor adjustments to the itinerary. Please follow the final trip details sent before departure. [Accommodation] Accommodation is arranged for two people sharing a room. We'll try to match solo travelers with a roommate of the same gender. If you prefer not to share, or no roommate is available, you must pay a single supplement for your own room. [Group meals] We aim to serve meals suited to Chinese tastes. We make sure everyone has enough to eat. [Photography] 1. Photography sessions follow the itinerary, but conditions on the day may affect how long we spend at each location. 2. Read the itinerary carefully and choose a trip that suits your health and circumstances. Skipping part of the itinerary for health or other personal reasons, or choosing not to use the arranged accommodation or transport, counts as voluntary withdrawal from those arrangements. You are responsible for your own safety while not taking part in the itinerary. 3. Stay with the group during photography sessions unless you have permission to leave. This does not apply during free time. The organizing team is not responsible for accidents that occur while you are away from the group. 4. Typhoons, blizzards or other events beyond our control may require changes to the itinerary. [Fuel surcharges] The organizing team reserves the right to adjust the amount payable if fluctuations in global oil markets lead to a substantial rise in fuel surcharges. If the team can absorb the increase, the amount payable will remain unchanged. [Before departure] 1. We'll send your final trip details no later than the day before departure. If arrangements are confirmed sooner, we'll let you know as soon as possible. 2. If the online itinerary differs from the final trip details sent before departure, the final trip details take precedence. [Optional activities at your own expense] Under the Tourism Law provisions prohibiting travel agencies from arranging optional paid activities, please contact the provider directly for details, charges and bookings if you wish to take part. If you need language assistance from a guide or tour leader, any help is provided in a personal capacity, whether paid or unpaid. It is not provided on behalf of the organizing team or the local tour operator. The organizing team is not involved in the payments, transactions or service standards for activities during free time. You are responsible for the outcome of those arrangements.
Image credits
Images above were taken by the organizing team’s instructor Lin Wei.
Itinerary notes
Photography locations, accommodations and transportation are subject to final confirmation before departure. Weather and local conditions may affect the itinerary.
Itinerary dates use Beijing time (Asia/Shanghai). Flight, transfer and other times follow the time zone stated for each location. Please confirm any time without a stated time zone before departure.