Hala River

Hala River

Xin'an is rich in water resources, with crisscrossing rivers and scattered lakes. The Hala River is one of the well-known rivers among them. Long ago, the Hala River basin was a place where northern nomadic peoples thrived, nurturing forest-steppe culture and civilization. In particular, it was from here that Genghis Khan’s northern cavalry rose to power, making the Hala River basin one of the important birthplaces of the Mongolian people. This river serves as the border between China and Mongolia, originating from Songye Lake (also known as Darbin Lake) on the northern slope of Motian Ridge west of the Greater Khingan Mountains. The upper reaches flow through a volcanic lava area, winding through dense forests toward the west. It passes by Azalea Lake and also collects tributaries such as the Suhu River and the Gurban River. The main stream flows from east to west through Yiershi Town into Mongolia, belonging to the Erguna River system. With an average depth of 2 meters, the river stretches 399 kilometers in total, including 136 kilometers within China's borders, covering a drainage area of 7,520 square kilometers in China. The first 10-plus kilometers of the upper course are underground, flowing beneath the Shitang Forest, where only the murmuring sound of water can be heard but the river itself remains hidden. The river flows from east to west, enters Mongolia’s Lake Buir, and then returns into China, flowing into Hulun Lake—thus earning the nickname “River of Patriotism.” Within the territory of Arxan City, the river runs for 154 kilometers, with a width of 100–200 meters and a depth of 1–2 meters. The waters of the Hala River are crystal clear, with well-preserved vegetation along both banks, creating beautiful scenery. The riverbanks are lined with pristine plant communities, and the winding waters disappear among the lofty mountains and hills. The river is home to a variety of precious and rare cold-water fish, among which the large-sized taimen swim upstream in schools each year with the spring freshets, gaining a longstanding reputation for their tender meat. In the middle and lower reaches of the Hala River, visitors can also go rafting down the river to fully enjoy the splendor of nature.