On September 24, 2012, to avoid the traffic congestion during the eight-day Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holiday, we embarked on a joyful journey through Inner Mongolia, Jilin, and Liaoning. We set off north from Beijing at 5:30 a.m., traveling along the route: Zhangjiakou – Taipusiqi – Dali Lake – Xilinhot – Dong Ujimqin Banner – Manduhu Baolage Sumu – Nalin River – Arxan – Ulanhot – Chagan Lake – Changchun – West Slope of Changbai Mountain Scenic Area – Tonghua – Dandong – Huludao – Beijing. The itinerary and sightseeing spots for this trip had been thoroughly planned in advance, covering a total distance of approximately 4,800 kilometers.
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First Stop: Journey Through Inner Mongolia’s Xilin Gol League (Dali Lake, Nalin River, Arxan Area, Manduhu Baolage Sumu)
The beautiful Nalin River is located within the territory of Dong Ujimqin Banner, Xilin Gol League, Inner Mongolia. Its winding waters flow through the stunning grasslands of Xilin Gol, where herds of cattle and sheep dot the lush green carpet-like plains. This is one of the most beautiful summer pastures in Inner Mongolia and another iconic representation of the region.
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Take a photo by the Nalin River
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From Xilinhot, we drove alongS101toward Dong Ujimqin, about50kilometers in, at a point about200meters before the Hubaolage toll station, there is a small road turning north — this is the starting point of the China-Mongolia Border Highway. It is said that this small asphalt road is quite famous.S303The China-Mongolia border highway's starting point. It is said that this small asphalt road is quite famous.200Though the over 100-kilometer road is called an asphalt road, it frequently features frost heaves and potholes; the road width is only3meters, with dirt shoulders on both sides. When meeting another vehicle, both cars have to drive partly off the road.200For most of the way, we could only maintain a speed of20-30, driving for nearly five hours. Fortunately, it resembled a colorful ribbon laid across the gently rolling grasslands, offering a visually pleasing experience when viewed from afar.
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We arrived at Manduhu Laage Sumu
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Second Stop
The route from Manduhu Baolage Sumu to Arxan is a classic one (S303 National Highway), with muddy roads but breathtaking scenery along the way
This is the hotel we stayed at
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Cattle and sheep on the grassland
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Eagles can often be seen circling in the sky
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Workers building the China-Mongolia border fire prevention road were butchering a sheep to prepare lunch
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Third Stop
After bidding farewell to the workers butchering sheep along the border, we headed east and arrived at the junction where the Awu Line meets National Highway S303
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In the distance, the urban area of Arxan can be seen
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Entering the Arxan toll station
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Entering the urban area of Arxan City
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Arxan now has an airport, with a plane landing
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The car was completely covered in dust
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Famous attraction in Arxan: the Unfrozen River
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