The Hulunbuir Grassland in Inner Mongolia is one of the world's most pristine and beautiful grasslands — a vast sea of green stretching to the horizon, dotted with white yurts, grazing herds of sheep and cattle, and winding rivers. This epic 600km cycling loop follows the Erguna River (the border river between China and Russia) through some of the most scenic and least-visited landscapes in China. The route passes through Mongolian nomad settlements, Russian ethnic minority villages, birch forests, and wetlands teeming with migratory birds. Highlights include Hailar (the starting point), the famous Mozhigeleng River ('the world's most winding river'), Manzhouli (a Russian-border city), Heishantou (grassland sunset viewpoint), and Shiwei (a Russian ethnic village). The cycling is on flat to gently rolling paved roads with minimal traffic. Summer (June-September) is the best time, when the grass is greenest, wildflowers bloom, and the weather is pleasant (15-25°C). The starry nights here are among the clearest in China — far from any city light pollution. Plan 6-7 days with overnight stops in small towns along the route.
Moderate. The terrain is almost entirely flat to gently rolling — total elevation gain is only about 500m over 200km. The roads are well-paved with very little traffic. The challenges are: distance (70-100km/day), exposure (no shade, intense sun), wind (grassland winds can be strong headwinds), and remoteness (limited services between towns). Suitable for regular cyclists with moderate fitness who are comfortable with multi-day touring. The lack of climbing makes this one of the easier multi-day routes in China. Wind direction matters — check the forecast and plan to ride with the wind if possible.
Everything you need to know as an international traveler planning this cycling route in China.
Hailar (海拉尔, the regional capital) has a few bike rental shops, mainly on Sino-Mongolian Road (中蒙路) and near the train station. Mountain bikes and touring bikes: ¥60-100/day, ¥400-600 deposit. Quality varies — inspect carefully. Passport required. Some shops offer multi-day rentals with gear packages (¥300-500 for 3 days including panniers and repair kit). Electric bikes are not recommended for this route (distance and wind). Alternatively, bring your own bike — Hailar airport accepts bikes as checked baggage. Arrange rental in advance via WeChat, especially during peak season (July-August).
Fly to Hailar Dongshan Airport (HLD) — flights from Beijing (2h, ¥400-700), Shanghai (3h, ¥600-900), Harbin (1h, ¥200-300), Guangzhou (4h). High-speed train from Harbin (5h, ¥180) or Beijing (12h overnight, ¥250). From Hailar, take a bus or shared taxi to the grassland starting point. Popular starting points: Chenbaerhu Banner (陈巴尔虎旗, 30km from Hailar) or directly from Hailar following the G301 toward Manzhouli. Bus to Manzhouli: ¥50, 3 hours. Shared taxi: ¥80-100 per person. The route typically goes from Hailar → grassland → Shiwei → Manzhouli.
Day 1: Hailar (海拉尔) → Chenbaerhu Grassland (陈巴尔虎草原) → Morigele River (莫日格勒河, 'the most winding river in the world') → overnight at a yurt camp, ~70km. Day 2: Yurt camp → Shiwei Russian Village (室韦) along the Erguna River, ~80km. Pass through birch forests and wetlands. Day 3: Shiwei → along the Erguna River → Manzhouli (满洲里), ~50km or extend to 100km via Hulun Lake (呼伦湖). Total: ~200km over 3 days. Alternative 2-day version: Hailar → Morigele River → Manzhouli via G301, ~150km. The route follows paved roads (G301 and S201) with very little traffic.
Alipay and WeChat Pay accepted in Hailar, Manzhouli, and Shiwei. Yurt camps and small grassland stops may only accept cash. Carry ¥500-800 cash. Yurt camp overnight: ¥150-300/night including dinner and breakfast (Mongolian hotpot, roasted lamb). Meals at village restaurants: ¥40-60. Budget: ¥1,200-1,800 for 3 days including bike rental, accommodation, food, and transport. International credit cards not accepted outside Hailar and Manzhouli.
English is very limited in the Hulunbuir area. Hailar has some English at major hotels. Grassland yurt camps and villages have almost no English — staff speak Mandarin and Mongolian. Shiwei village has some Russian speakers. Useful phrases: 草原 (cǎo yuán) = grassland; 蒙古包 (měng gǔ bāo) = yurt; 海拉尔 (hǎi lā ěr) = Hailar; 满洲里 (mǎn zhōu lǐ) = Manzhouli; 烤全羊 (kǎo quán yáng) = roasted whole lamb; 呼伦湖 (hū lún hú) = Hulun Lake. Download a translation app with offline Mandarin support.
4G signal is available on the G301 and S201 main roads but becomes weak or absent on remote grassland sections. Download offline maps (Baidu Maps or Gaode/Amap) before starting. WiFi is available at yurt camps (slow) and in town hotels. Carry a power bank — GPS navigation and photography drain battery fast. The grassland is vast and navigation relies on following main roads — getting lost is unlikely if you stay on paved roads. Starlink-type satellite communicators are recommended for remote sections.
Hulunbuir People's Hospital (海拉尔): 0470-8236000. Manzhouli First Hospital: 0470-6222120. Ambulance: 120. Each town along the route has a basic clinic. For serious emergencies, the best facilities are in Hailar. Bike repair: basic repair available in towns — look for shops with bicycles outside. On the grassland, if you have a mechanical failure, flag down passing vehicles — drivers are generally helpful. Carry a satellite phone or personal locator beacon for the most remote sections. The route has very low traffic, so self-sufficiency is important.
Based on 276 reviews from international cyclists who have completed this route. Ratings reflect route quality, scenery, infrastructure, and overall experience.
Last verified: August 1, 2026