7 Days in Xingan Meng

The Hanshan temple was finished in 1944, and the hall where Inner Mongolia's autonomous government was proclaimed stands two stops away — May 1, 1947, to the day on the plaque.

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

Half an hour north, the Chersen reservoir backs onto forest parkland; then the full 230 km up the S203, about three and a half hours, with Arxan's 1937 station for an after-dinner stroll.

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

Rose Peak's granite pinnacles stand about 25 km north on the road toward the border; fill bottles at the roadside Wuli Spring on the way back, and give the evening to the hot springs.

1. xingan meng meigui feng
2. xingan meng wuli spring
3. xingan meng arxan hot springs

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

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

Climb to the kidney-shaped Tuofengling lake early, then walk the lava-dammed shore of Dujuan — azaleas red along it in late May and June. Back 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; the 360-degree summit view over the birch line is best before noon, and the deer farms and timber lanes below fill a slow afternoon.

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

Break the 230-km drive down at Haosen Gou, a forested valley park in Front Horqin Banner's northern woods, then catch an evening flight from Ulanhot or one of the slow trains out.

1. xingan meng haosengou