Stretching across vast and diverse landscapes, Inner Mongolia offers an array of unforgettable travel experiences, from sweeping grasslands and pristine forests to vibrant cities, majestic deserts, and rich historical sites. The following three routes exploring eastern, central, and western Inner Mongolia showcase the region's distinctive natural wonders, cultural treasures, and local traditions, providing visitors with an unforgettable journey.

East route

This route connects Hulunbuir, Hinggan League, Tongliao, Chifeng and Xiliin Gol League, offering travelers a memorable journey through the diverse landscapes and cultures of eastern Inner Mongolia. From vast grasslands and pristine forests to volcanic lakes, and the historical legacy of the Liao (916-1125) and Yuan (1271-1368) dynasties, the route showcases the region's extraordinary natural beauty and cultural diversity. Whether embarking on an extended self-driving tour or a short city getaway, visitors can enjoy cool summers, brilliant autumn foliage, or snowy winter scenery while experiencing the distinctive charm of Inner Mongolia's grasslands, forests, and borderlands.

Hulunbuir

[Photo/VCG]

Renowned as the iconic grassland destination of Inner Mongolia, Hulunbuir is home to meandering rivers, border wetlands, and vibrant ethnic traditions, blending breathtaking natural scenery with rich historical heritage.

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Moergele River Scenic Area

Known as the "No 1 Meandering River under Heaven", the Moergele River winds gracefully through the endless Hulunbuir Grassland. Visitors can stroll across the vast prairie while admiring the river's graceful curves, lush pastures, and other spectacular natural scenery.

Ergune Wetland

Often referred to as the "No 1 Wetland in Asia", the Ergune Wetland features remarkably well-preserved ecosystems and magnificent wetland landscapes. Visitors can also enjoy immersive activities, such as VR skiing, glasses-free 3D experiences, and a panoramic immersive theater before browsing the scenic area's commercial street for creative cultural products and locally made specialties.

Hinggan League

[Photo/VCG]

Centered around the volcanic forests of Arxan, Hinggan League combines mountain grasslands, maple forests, and film-production sites, creating a refreshing destination celebrated for its pristine landscapes.

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Arxan National Forest Park

Arxan National Forest Park boasts vast forests and abundant rivers, making it a paradise for wildlife, especially birds. During summer, visitors may spot the Eurasian Three-toed Woodpecker busily pecking tree trunks in search of insects. Their rhythmic tapping echoes through the forest, creating a natural symphony that perfectly captures the vitality of this remarkable ecosystem.

Wujiaofeng (Five-Lobed Maple) Ecological Scenic Area

Autumn transforms the area into a spectacular display of color. Maple trees blanket the mountainsides in brilliant shades of red, orange, and gold, creating a landscape that resembles a vibrant oil painting beneath the clear blue sky. Golden grass carpets the valleys below, while richly colored forests stretch across the hills, making it one of the finest destinations in Inner Mongolia for autumn foliage.

Tongliao

[Photo/VCG]

As the birthplace of Horqin culture, Tongliao is where grasslands and sandy landscapes exist side-by-side. The city is renowned for its Mongolian ethnic traditions and desert recreation.

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Daqinggou Scenic Area

Daqinggou is the only original desert forest found within the world's temperate desert belt at the same latitude. Known as the "Sacred Valley of the Desert" and the "Northern Rainforest", it also serves as a natural gene bank for countless species of wildlife. Visitors can wander through ancient forests, walk across soft layers of fallen leaves, listen to birdsong, and enjoy the tranquil beauty of this extraordinary ecosystem.

Chifeng

[Photo/Inner Mongolia News Network]

Chifeng combines plateau lakes, sandy landscapes, ancient Liao civilization, and picturesque mountain villages, offering visitors the chance to both admire magnificent natural scenery and experience Khitan cultural heritage.

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Yulong Sand Lake Scenic Area

Yulong Sand Lake is a unique destination where desert, lake, and wetland landscapes converge. It is famous for its rare white sand dunes and as the discovery site of the celebrated Jade Dragon, a masterpiece of the Hongshan Culture known as "China's First Dragon". Visitors can choose from four signature adventure routes while experiencing both the grandeur and serenity of the desert.

Museum of the Liaoshangjing

The Museum of the Liaoshangjing is the largest county-level museum building in Inner Mongolia and the region's only museum dedicated to the imperial capital of the Liao Dynasty (916-1125). Its collection consists of more than 15,000 cultural relics and nearly 10,000 specimens, including important artifacts from both the Hongshan Culture, the Fuhe Culture, and the Liao Dynasty, providing valuable insight into northern China's ancient civilizations.

Xiliin Gol League

[Photo by Liu Changyong/Inner Mongolia News Network]

Located in the heart of the Inner Mongolian grasslands, Xiliin Gol League is known for its rich equestrian traditions, border culture, Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) heritage, and spectacular star-filled skies.

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Site of Xanadu

The Site of Xanadu is the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Inner Mongolia and an important component of China's outstanding cultural heritage. It is the earliest established and best-preserved imperial capital among the Yuan Dynasty capitals. Covering approximately 18 square kilometers, the site includes the Palace City, Imperial City, Outer City, surrounding settlements, and ancient flood-control facilities, with the remains of 13 city gates still visible today.

Ereenhot Border Gate Scenic Area

Covering approximately 1.3 million square meters, the Ereenhot Border Gate Scenic Area stretches roughly 1,800 meters from north to south and 720 meters from east to west, reaching the China–Mongolia border. The scenic area centers on the national border gate and boundary marker, offering visitors a unique opportunity to experience China's distinctive border culture and history