THE PHOTOGRAPHIC JOURNEY
Go beyond the view
Travel from Hailar to Ergun to photograph rolling grasslands, haystacks and autumn pastures. Visit Aoluguya reindeer park, Mordaga forest and birch woodland, then photograph log houses and village life in Enhe. Follow the border road to Heishantou and Morigele River for winding waterways and morning or evening light, subject to conditions.
Grasslands and haystacks
Travel from Hailar to Ergun to photograph rolling grasslands, haystacks and autumn pastures.
Forests and Enhe village
Visit Aoluguya reindeer park, Mordaga forest and birch woodland, then photograph log houses and village life in Enhe.
Border rivers and grassland light
Follow the border road to Heishantou and Morigele River for winding waterways and morning or evening light, subject to conditions.
The journey in pictures
Photographers linked to this route: Limei Li →
Itinerary images · Select a photo to enlarge
PHOTOGRAPHY LEADERS
A different way of seeing
Limei Li
Specializes in children's portraits, portrait photography and mobile photography. She has worked in professional photography travel and portraiture since 2012. She regularly provides mobile photography training for the municipal and Pingshan procuratorates, Agricultural Bank of China, rural commercial banks, the water group, China Southern Power Grid, the municipal planning and land commission, the ocean administration, Jiuzhou Construction, Marriott's fitness club, the BMW owners' club and other organizations. Photography journeys She has led groups to the Balkans, Russia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Japan, Chiang Mai, Turkey, Semporna, Singapore, Iran, Israel, Italy, India, Indonesia, Jordan and Vietnam, as well as Anhui, Beijing, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Henan, Hunan, Jiangxi, Inner Mongolia, Shanghai, Sichuan, Suzhou, Hong Kong, Xinjiang, Yunnan and Zhejiang. Selected awards and exhibitions Excellence awards in the Hantu Imaging China WeChat competition, Charming China National Photography Exhibition, Toronto International TIPF documentary category and Sirui Mobile Photography Competition; gold in the documentary category of the Shenhong Photography Competition; work exhibited at the Dali and Vancouver international photography exhibitions.
THE DAYS AHEAD
A rhythm shaped by light
DAY 01Sep 17 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiHailar–Ergun
Highlights: Cross the grassland interior to discover Hulunbuir's densest, most photogenic stretches of haystacks. Unspoiled and little visited, without large crowds, this is the itinerary's visual highlight. Driving and roads: Approximately 130 km in total, 2.5 hours' driving, on smooth roads with opportunities to stop safely for photographs along the way. Itinerary: After airport pickup, begin the northern route, leaving urban crowds behind for unspoiled grasslands. Immerse yourself in a hidden haystack landscape, with neatly stacked golden haystacks scattered across grassy hills in continuous expanses: Hulunbuir's densest and most orderly haystack scenery.
Accommodation:Ergun area; property to be confirmed
DAY 02Sep 18 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiErgun–Aoluguya–Mordaga
Highlights: One river between two countries, interactions with reindeer at China's last reindeer-herding tribe, and fresh air deep in the Greater Khingan Mountains' primeval forests. Driving and roads: Ergun–Reindeer Park 120 km/2 hours; Reindeer Park–Mordaga 90 km/1.5 hours. Itinerary: After breakfast, visit the Evenki reindeer-herding community, interact closely with gentle reindeer, feed and photograph them, explore the forest deer park, and learn about ethnic hunting traditions. In the afternoon, ride the popular forest train through the heart of the Greater Khingan Mountains and primeval larch and Mongolian Scots pine forests. After dinner, stay in Mordaga town.
Accommodation:Mordaga town; property to be confirmed
DAY 03Sep 19 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiMordaga–Enhe
Highlights: Cross the forest–grassland transition zone, photograph pristine birch forests, and explore a Russian ethnic township on the China–Russia border. Driving and roads: 150 km/3 hours in total, with varied scenery changing from forest to birch groves to grassland. Itinerary: After breakfast, depart for Enhe Russian Ethnic Township, exploring along the way. Cross the outlying Greater Khingan Mountains, passing pristine birch forests, woodland meadows, and fields of flowers. Views gradually open from dense forest to vast grassland; stop for photographs and discover secluded, uncrowded scenery. Arrive in Enhe for lunch, then stroll around China's only Russian ethnic township, photographing its distinctive Russian log houses, century-old homes, and folk culture museum. Its clean, peaceful streets make effortless European pastoral photographs. Optional experiences include painting nesting dolls and making traditional leba bread. After dinner, stay in a characteristic log-house guesthouse and experience local life.
Accommodation:Enhe log-house guesthouse; property to be confirmed
DAY 04Sep 20 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiExploring Enhe
Highlights: Slow travel without rushing between destinations, experience Enhe's everyday life, and recharge for tomorrow's scenic border route. Itinerary: After breakfast, enjoy a gentle hike or bicycle ride around Enhe, then visit the viewpoint behind the village for panoramas of the fairytale settlement, grassland wetlands, and distant river valley. Stroll the riverside boardwalk, watching wetland birds and wildflowers in peaceful surroundings. Short grassland horse rides and carriage rides are optional. In the afternoon, visit a Russian ethnic family for cultural interaction, learn Russian dances, and taste homemade jam; alternatively, relax in town or a café, escaping crowds for an unhurried holiday.
Accommodation:Enhe; continued stay to be confirmed
DAY 05Sep 21 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiEnhe–border road–Heishantou
Highlights: The best of Border Road 904—haystacks, rivers, birch forests, and cattle and sheep—plus a sunset horse ride at Heishantou. The trip's most visually spectacular day. Driving and roads: 160 km/3.5 hours in total; spectacular border-road scenery, driving slowly within speed limits and exploring en route. Itinerary: After breakfast, travel the beautiful border checkpoint route and experience its finest scenery: soothing expanses of haystacks on the grassland, the winding Ergun border river beside us, layers of white birch forest, and cattle, sheep, and horses grazing across the hills. This unspoiled grassland panorama unfolds before you. Stop at popular viewpoints at Checkpoints Five and Seven to photograph Taiji Bend and see two countries at once. Enjoy free time on Heishantou's grasslands in the afternoon. Toward evening, join a riding group to Sunset Hill, crossing open grasslands as the setting sun reddens the horizon and winding grassland. With hooves brushing grass and the evening breeze on your face, experience Hulunbuir's soothing sunset at its most atmospheric. Check into the hotel after dinner.
Accommodation:Heishantou; property to be confirmed
DAY 06Sep 22 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiHeishantou–Morigele River
Highlights: Visit the winding river celebrated by Lao She, overlook its meanders from the cliff top, and enjoy an outstanding grassland sunset. Driving and roads: Heishantou–Morigele River 100 km/2.5 hours; good roads through the grassland interior. Itinerary: After breakfast, venture into the grassland interior and explore Morigele River Scenic Area. The river winds like a ribbon around green grassland, twisting endlessly into the distance: an iconic Hulunbuir landscape. Stroll the grassland boardwalk to appreciate the river's grandeur and gentle beauty up close. Toward evening, reach the Morigele River cliffs and await sunset. From the highest point, enjoy unobstructed views over the winding river. As the sun sets, golden light covers the grasslands and waterways, gilding the landscape. With vast, breathtaking views, this is one of Hulunbuir's best sunset photography locations.
Accommodation:Overnight location to be confirmed
DAY 07Sep 23 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiMorigele River–Hailar departure
Highlights: Morning mist over the grasslands and an easy departure, perfectly concluding the seven-day grassland journey. Itinerary: Rise early to photograph morning mist over the Morigele River grasslands. Thin mist curls around river and meadow, with few people and an ethereal atmosphere offering excellent photographs. After breakfast, return to Hailar Airport, concluding the full seven-day Hulunbuir loop.
Accommodation:Departure; no overnight stay planned
Trip staff
- Photography leader · Limei Li
- Up to 5 travelers
- IncludedAccompanying photography, editing, support and trip planning.
View trip staffing details
Photography leader · Limei Li Up to 5 travelers Included · Accompanying photography, editing, support and trip planning. Included · Before departure: The logistics team purchases travel insurance, books hotels, and organizes and plans the itinerary, giving everyone an overall understanding of the photography journey;
Transport
- ExcludedRound-trip transport between your departure city and the destination;
- ExcludedChartered vehicle expenses within the itinerary;
Travel details and reference schedules
These are reference services for the instructor, not mandatory flights for participants. Confirm group operation, schedules and connections before booking. September 17: Shenzhen–Hailar ZH8105, 06:25–10:55. September 23: Hailar–Shenzhen ZH8106, 11:45–16:30.
Photography
- Grasslands and haystacks
- Forests and Enhe village
- Border rivers and grassland light
Photography details
Grasslands and haystacks Travel from Hailar to Ergun to photograph rolling grasslands, haystacks and autumn pastures. Forests and Enhe village Visit Aoluguya reindeer park, Mordaga forest and birch woodland, then photograph log houses and village life in Enhe. Border rivers and grassland light Follow the border road to Heishantou and Morigele River for winding waterways and morning or evening light, subject to conditions. Grasslands and haystacks Forests and Enhe village Border rivers and grassland light Included · Accompanying photography, editing, support and trip planning. Included · Before departure: The logistics team purchases travel insurance, books hotels, and organizes and plans the itinerary, giving everyone an overall understanding of the photography journey; Included · During the trip: An accompanying travel photographer photographs you on location, records the beautiful scenery, and captures your memorable travel portraits!
Accommodation
- 6 nights
- Planned overnight arrangements; properties, room types and bookings are subject to confirmation.
- IncludedBefore departure: The logistics team purchases travel insurance, books hotels, and organizes and plans the itinerary, giving everyone an overall understanding of the photography journey;
Accommodation details
Planned overnight arrangements; properties, room types and bookings are subject to confirmation. Day 1: Ergun area; property to be confirmed Day 2: Mordaga town; property to be confirmed Day 3: Enhe log-house guesthouse; property to be confirmed Day 4: Enhe; continued stay to be confirmed Day 5: Heishantou; property to be confirmed Day 6: Overnight location to be confirmed Day 7: Departure; no overnight stay planned Day 1 · 2026-09-17 Ergun area; property to be confirmed Day 2 · 2026-09-18 Mordaga town; property to be confirmed Day 3 · 2026-09-19 Enhe log-house guesthouse; property to be confirmed Day 4 · 2026-09-20 Enhe; continued stay to be confirmed Day 5 · 2026-09-21 Heishantou; property to be confirmed Day 6 · 2026-09-22 Overnight location to be confirmed Day 7 · 2026-09-23 Departure; no overnight stay planned 6 nights Planned overnight arrangements; properties, room types and bookings are subject to confirmation. Included · Before departure: The logistics team purchases travel insurance, books hotels, and organizes and plans the itinerary, giving everyone an overall understanding of the photography journey; Excluded · Accommodation throughout in twin rooms. Anyone requesting single occupancy throughout must pay an additional supplement;
Meals
- ExcludedMeals within the itinerary;
Visa
- To be confirmed by the operator
A CLEAR PICTURE
Know what is included
Public prices may change. Checkout quotes expire at a stated time; your confirmed order records its price and payment deadlines.
Included
Accompanying photography, editing, support and trip planning.
Before departure: The logistics team purchases travel insurance, books hotels, and organizes and plans the itinerary, giving everyone an overall understanding of the photography journey;
During the trip: An accompanying travel photographer photographs you on location, records the beautiful scenery, and captures your memorable travel portraits!
Complimentary travel accident insurance; coverage and insured limits are to be confirmed.
Not included
Round-trip transport between your departure city and the destination;
Meals within the itinerary;
Chartered vehicle expenses within the itinerary;
Admission tickets listed in the itinerary;
Accommodation throughout in twin rooms. Anyone requesting single occupancy throughout must pay an additional supplement;
Other additional service fees not listed;
In exceptional circumstances involving force majeure, such as natural disasters, war, strikes, or airline delays or cancellations, the organizing team reserves the right to cancel or alter the itinerary. Additional expenses, including extended accommodation abroad, meals, transport, or national airfare adjustments, may be charged based on the actual additional expenditure incurred. We will nevertheless do everything within our ability to minimise participants' losses;
Invoice taxes are excluded; any additional payment for an invoice is to be confirmed.
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] The total is based on 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.
Shared expenses and booking
Participants share travel expenses, including transport, meals, accommodation, guides, arranged photography, supplies and the instructor's expenses. Everyone must contribute to the instructor's meals and accommodation, even if they skip a meal or overnight stay themselves. Photography, editing, support and planning are charged separately.
Itinerary notes
Photography locations, accommodations and transportation are subject to final confirmation before departure. Weather and local conditions may affect the itinerary.
Daily arrangements may change with weather, transport and local conditions. Unspecified arrangements are to be confirmed with the operator.
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.