The Arxan Chahe Tourism Area is located within Arxan City of Hinggan League and Chahe Town of Zhalantun City in Hulunbuir, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. It is a national 5A-level tourist attraction and a comprehensive tourism area integrating volcanic landforms, forests and grasslands, hot springs and wetlands, and folk culture. The total area of the scenic area is approximately 13,168.7 square kilometers, of which the core scenic area covers about 814 square kilometers. It boasts unique volcanic geological landscapes and is a rare volcanic landform museum in China, featuring geological relics such as crater lakes, volcanic cones, and lava plateaus. At the same time, the forest coverage rate in the scenic area is over 80%, with rich and diverse natural landscapes including grasslands, wetlands, and rivers. It is also endowed with abundant hot spring resources, among which the Arxan Hot Spring Group is known as "sacred springs and holy water." In addition, the scenic area integrates the cultures of ethnic minorities such as the Mongolian and Ewenki peoples, forming a tourism feature where nature and culture enhance each other.
History and Culture
Historically, the Arxan Chahe region was a nomadic and hunting ground for ethnic minorities such as the Mongolian, Ewenki, and Oroqen peoples, with a long history of ethnic culture. As early as the Neolithic Age, there were traces of human activity here, and a large number of stone tools, pottery, and other artifacts have been unearthed.
In modern times, Arxan gradually developed due to the construction of the Chinese Eastern Railway, becoming an important transportation station and border trade node. In the early 20th century, when Tsarist Russia was building the railway here, it discovered Arxan's hot spring resources. Subsequently, the development and utilization of hot springs gradually emerged, forming a unique hot spring culture.
The ethnic minorities within the scenic area still retain traditional lifestyles and cultural customs. For example, the hunting culture of the Ewenki people and the Naadam Festival of the Mongolian people are important components of the scenic area's historical culture. Events held annually such as the Arxan Azalea Festival and Ice and Snow Festival not only showcase the local natural landscapes but also pass on the traditional culture of ethnic minorities, attracting many tourists to participate.
Major Attractions
Arxan Tianchi
Arxan Tianchi is one of the core attractions of the scenic area, located about 74 kilometers northeast of Arxan City. It was formed by a volcanic eruption about 300,000 years ago and is one of China's three major Tianchi (Heavenly Lakes). The lake sits at an altitude of 1,332.3 meters, with an oval-shaped surface area of about 13.5 hectares, an average depth of 204 meters, and a maximum depth of 373 meters. The lake water is clear as a mirror, surrounded by volcanic cones and dense forests, creating a spectacular scene. Unlike other Tianchi, Arxan Tianchi has no river inflow or outflow, yet its water level remains stable year-round, full of mystery. Visitors must climb 998 steps along a wooden boardwalk to reach the viewing platform to overlook the entire Tianchi.
Santang Gorge
Santang Gorge is located within the Arxan Tianchi scenic area and is the upper reaches of the Halaha River, with a total length of about 3 kilometers. The gorge contains three pools in sequence: Woniu Pool, Hushi Pool, and Yuexin Pool, hence the name "Santang Gorge" (Three Pools Gorge). Woniu Pool has calm water shaped like a lying ox; Hushi Pool is named for the tiger-shaped boulders scattered in the river; Yuexin Pool has clear water that delights the heart. The gorge is flanked by steep cliffs covered in virgin forest, and the river meanders through the gorge, forming multiple waterfalls and deep pools. It is a great place for summer retreat and water scenery appreciation.
Shitang Forest
Shitang Forest is located about 25 kilometers northeast of Arxan City and is one of the most representative volcanic landform landscapes in the scenic area, covering about 28.5 square kilometers. This is a lava plateau formed by magma cooling and solidifying after a volcanic eruption, covered with volcanic geological relics such as fumaroles, lava mounds, and lava ridges, with jagged rocks of various shapes. In the cracks of the lava, plants such as creeping pines and junipers grow, forming a unique landscape of "stones in the forest, forest on the stones," known as "a bonsai garden in volcanic landforms."
Dujuan Lake
Dujuan Lake is located about 92 kilometers northeast of Arxan City. It is a barrier lake formed by a volcanic eruption blocking a river channel, covering about 128 hectares. The lake is named after the azaleas that bloom along its shores every spring. From May to June each year, the pink azalea sea and the blue lake water create a stunning contrast. The northwest shore of the lake is a volcanic cone, and the southeast shore is a large wetland inhabited by various water birds. In summer, visitors can fish and boat by the lake; in winter, after the lake freezes, the ice is crystal clear, making it a great place for ice scenery viewing and ice activities.
Chahe Moon Tianchi
Chahe Moon Tianchi is located in Chahe Town, Zhalantun City, Hulunbuir, about 100 kilometers from Arxan Tianchi. It is named for its circular shape resembling a full moon, and because it faces Arxan Tianchi from afar, it is known as the "Sister Pool." Moon Tianchi sits at an altitude of 1,185 meters, with an area of about 31 hectares, an average depth of 10 meters, and a maximum depth of 20 meters. Compared with Arxan Tianchi, Moon Tianchi is more tranquil, surrounded by virgin forest, with a well-preserved ecological environment. It is an ideal place for photography and leisure sightseeing.
Food
Arxan Wild Vegetable Banquet
The Arxan Wild Vegetable Banquet is a specialty dish of the scenic area, made from pure natural wild vegetables growing in the local mountains and forests. Common wild vegetables include willow sprouts, dandelion, bracken, and daylily. These wild vegetables are simply cooked—served cold, stir-fried, or in soup—with a refreshing taste and rich nutrition, offering a strong wild mountain flavor. This dish can be tasted at farmhouses and restaurants within the scenic area and is an excellent choice for experiencing local original ecological cuisine.
Hand-held Meat
Hand-held meat is a traditional Mongolian dish in the Arxan region. It uses locally grazed beef and mutton, boiled in clear water, and eaten dipped in salt or wild chive flowers. The meat is tender and juicy, retaining its original flavor, reflecting the bold dining style of the Mongolian people. In the yurt restaurants within the scenic area, visitors can enjoy hand-held meat while watching Mongolian song and dance performances, experiencing a rich ethnic atmosphere.
Roasted Lamb Leg
Roasted lamb leg is a popular dish in the scenic area. It uses high-quality local lamb legs, marinated and slowly roasted over charcoal until the outer skin is golden and crispy and the meat is tender. The roasted lamb leg is aromatic and can be eaten with seasonings such as cumin and chili, offering a rich taste. This dish is suitable for sharing among multiple people and is a common choice for group meals in the scenic area.
Hot Spring Eggs
Hot spring eggs are a specialty food made using Arxan's hot spring resources. Fresh eggs are placed in the hot spring and slowly cooked using the constant temperature (about 60-80°C). The egg white is semi-solidified, while the yolk is fully cooked, resulting in a smooth and tender texture and rich nutrition. This dish can be tasted in the restaurants of Arxan Hot Spring Resort and is a unique flavor combining local resources.
Tickets：
Tickets are 278 yuan per person.
You can search for the official WeChat public account "Arxan Tourist Scenic Area" to get the latest updates or purchase tickets online.
Opening Hours：
The opening hours of the scenic area are adjusted according to the seasons: from April 1 to October 31, the opening hours are 7:00-17:00; from November 1 to March 31 of the following year is the winter tourism season, with some attractions open from 8:30-16:00. Among them, Arxan Tianchi may be temporarily closed in winter (November to March of the following year) due to deep snow. For specific opening conditions, please follow the official notices of the scenic area.
Tour Route：
On the first day, arrive in Arxan City in the morning and head to the Arxan Tianchi scenic area. Climb the steps to view the entire Tianchi, taking about 2.5 hours; then visit Santang Gorge and enjoy the water scenery along the gorge boardwalk, taking about 1.5 hours; have lunch at a restaurant near the scenic area and taste dishes such as hand-held meat, taking about 1 hour.
In the afternoon, head to Shitang Forest to visit the volcanic landform landscape, taking about 2 hours; then go to Dujuan Lake to enjoy the lake scenery (azaleas can be viewed in spring), taking about 1.5 hours; return to Arxan City in the evening for accommodation, and on the way, visit Arxan Railway Station (Russian-style architecture), taking about 30 minutes.
On the second day, depart from Arxan City in the morning and head to Chahe Moon Tianchi to enjoy the Tianchi scenery, taking about 2 hours; have lunch in Chahe Town and taste the local wild vegetable banquet, taking about 1 hour; in the afternoon, visit attractions around Chahe such as Tongxin Tianchi and Tuofengling Tianchi, taking about 3 hours; return to Arxan City in the evening to end the trip. The total tour duration is about 2 days, allowing a comprehensive appreciation of the scenic area's volcanic landforms, lakes, wetlands, and other natural landscapes.
Transportation：
Self-driving: From Ulanhot City of Hinggan League, drive along Provincial Highway S203 to Arxan City, about 280 kilometers in total, about 4.5 hours by car; from Zhalantun City of Hulunbuir, drive along Provincial Highway S302 then transfer to Provincial Highway S203 to Arxan City, about 360 kilometers in total, about 6 hours by car; from Arxan City to Chahe Town, drive along Provincial Highway S203 then transfer to County Road X313, about 110 kilometers in total, about 2.5 hours by car. Parking fees within the scenic area are 5-10 yuan per time.
Train: Arxan Railway Station has trains to and from Ulanhot, Baicheng, and other places. For example, Train K7593 (Ulanhot-Arxan) departs daily at 7:10 and arrives in Arxan at 12:08, with a hard seat fare of about 40 yuan; from Arxan Railway Station to the scenic area, you can take a taxi, about 20 minutes by car, with a fare of about 30 yuan.
Tourist bus: Ulanhot Passenger Station has daily buses directly to Arxan City, departing at 8:00, 10:00, and 14:00, about 5 hours by bus, with a fare of 60 yuan per person; Arxan City Passenger Station has buses to Chahe Town, departing daily at 9:00, about 3 hours by bus, with a fare of 40 yuan per person.
Chartered car: Chartered cars in Arxan City are more convenient for touring. A 5-seat sedan costs about 500-700 yuan for a full day and can be flexibly arranged according to the itinerary, suitable for multiple people traveling together.
Must-visit Attractions：
Arxan Tianchi: One of China's three major Tianchi, at an altitude of 1,332.3 meters and an area of 13.5 hectares. It requires climbing 998 steps to view and is known for its mysterious stable water level and spectacular volcanic lake scenery. The tour duration is about 2.5 hours.
Shitang Forest: Covering 28.5 square kilometers, it is China's most typical volcanic lava landform landscape, covered with geological relics such as fumaroles and lava mounds. The unique "stone-forest symbiosis" landscape is distinctive. The tour duration is about 2 hours.
Dujuan Lake: A 128-hectare barrier lake. In spring (May-June) when azaleas bloom, the scenery is stunning; in summer, water activities can be enjoyed; in winter, the ice scenery is enchanting. The tour duration is about 1.5 hours.
Travel Suggestions：
It is recommended to spend 2-3 days touring, allowing for an in-depth experience of different types of landscapes such as volcanic landforms, hot springs, and forests. If you want to experience winter ice and snow projects, you can arrange 3-4 days.
The best seasons to visit are May-June (to view azaleas), July-August (summer retreat, forest and grassland landscapes), and December-February (winter ice and snow landscapes). Autumn from September to October, when the mountain forests are colorful, is also a good choice.
The scenic area is mostly mountainous with complex terrain. It is recommended to wear comfortable hiking shoes; in summer, bring sun protection items and mosquito repellent; in winter, temperatures can drop to -30°C, so full cold-weather gear is needed.
Arxan is rich in hot spring resources. After touring, you can experience a hot spring bath at a hot spring hotel in Arxan City to relieve fatigue. Hot spring hotel prices are about 300-800 yuan per night.
Precautions：
Visiting Arxan Tianchi requires climbing 998 steps, which is physically demanding. Elderly people and children should go with caution, and it is recommended to carry drinking water and common medicines.
The lava landforms in Shitang Forest are complex, and some areas have no obvious paths. Visitors must follow designated wooden boardwalks and are prohibited from entering undeveloped areas without authorization.
The ecological environment in the scenic area is fragile. Picking flowers and plants and littering are prohibited, and natural landscapes must be protected; smoking is strictly prohibited in forest areas to prevent fires.
In winter, some road sections in the scenic area are covered with snow and ice. Self-driving visitors need to install anti-skid chains and drive cautiously; some attractions may be temporarily closed due to weather conditions, so it is necessary to check the latest scenic area announcements before traveling.
Dining and accommodation facilities in the scenic area are mainly concentrated in Arxan City and Chahe Town, with few service points in the core scenic area. It is recommended to prepare food and drinking water in advance.