5 Days in Xingan Meng

Hanshan's temple was finished in 1944; two stops later stand the hall where Inner Mongolia's autonomous government was proclaimed on May 1, 1947, and the liberation memorial nearby.

1. xingan meng genghis khan temple
2. xingan meng wuyi site
3. xingan meng liberation memorial

The Chersen reservoir backs onto forest parkland about half an hour north of town; then it is the full 230 km up the S203, three and a half hours, ending at Arxan's 1937 station before dinner.

1. xingan meng chersen reservoir
2. xingan meng arxan station

The gate is about 60 km from town — start by 7 am and sleep at the Tianchi service area inside the park to beat tomorrow's crowds. The round lake sits near 1,330 m; the gorge runs 3 km.

1. xingan meng arxan tianchi
2. xingan meng santan gorge
3. xingan meng shitang forest

The kidney-shaped Tuofengling lake is the park's finest climb; Dujuan Lake was dammed by lava, and in late May and June the azaleas that name it bloom red along the shore. Return to town for the night.

1. xingan meng tuofengling tianchi
2. xingan meng dujuan lake
3. xingan meng arxan grand canyon

Bailang Peak, 1,511 m, is half an hour south, with deer farms and timber-town lanes below in Baiwolf town; then it is about three hours down the S203 to Ulanhot's airport, or fly from nearby Yiershi.

1. xingan meng bailang peak
2. xingan meng bailang town