Ergun
Ergun is a Mongolian word meaning “to offer or present with both hands.” The Hailar River rises in the Greater Khingan Range and flows toward the western part of the Hulunbuir Grassland.…
Ergun, Hulunbuir
Key facts
- Guidebook rating
- 3 / 5
From China Self Guided Travel 2025, page 1902. Open in Google Maps
About Ergun
Ergun is a Mongolian word meaning “to offer or present with both hands.” The Hailar River rises in the Greater Khingan Range and flows toward the western part of the Hulunbuir Grassland. Near the northern Abagaitu area of Zhalainuoer, it suddenly turns northeast, forming a 165° bend that resembles a person offering something with both hands. From this point the river is renamed the Ergun River, and Ergun City takes its name from it. The Ergun River within the region forms part of the China–Russia border. The area is also home to the Ergun Wetland, China’s largest and best-preserved wetland in its natural state.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Ergun?
Ergun is in Hulunbuir, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, in the North China of China.
More places in Hulunbuir
Hulun Lake National Nature Reserve
Located in the Hulunbuir Grassland, Hulun Lake is one of the largest lakes in Inner Mongolia and one of China’s five major freshwater lakes. It is a paradise for birds and fish, home to more than 200 rare bird species and abundant with many kinds of fish.
¥20 · 4–5 hours
Huhenuoer Grassland
Located in Chen Barag Banner of Hulunbuir, about 45 km from Hailar, Huhenuoer is part of the Hulunbuir Grassland and one of the region’s most representative grassland folk-culture destinations. Huhenuoer Lake offers lovely scenery, with lush green grass around its shores and clear, pristine water. On the grassland, you can stay in a traditional yurt (Mongolian ger) and truly experience the distinctive culture of the Mongolian people.
¥30 · 3–4 hours
Hulunbuir Grassland
The Hulunbuir Grassland is one of the finest surviving pasturelands in China and is almost entirely unpolluted, earning it the nickname “the purest grassland.” It is also counted among the four most famous grasslands in the world. Here you can ride horses and camels, watch wrestling and horse racing, and savour the grassland specialty of a whole roasted sheep feast. Evening bonfire parties let you fully immerse yourself in the unique customs of the nomadic peoples.
¥18 · 1–2 days
Genhe
“Genhe” comes from the Mongolian “Gegen Gol,” meaning “clear, transparent river.” The main reason to visit Genhe is Aoluguya, home to the most remote and most mysterious branch of the Ewenki people. Every local resident has a Russian name, and this small township boasts its own museum, school, cultural station and small shops, giving it a lively, down-to-earth atmosphere.
Genhe Wetland ¥65; Aoluguya free of charge · 2–3 hours
Mangui
The northernmost town in Genhe City, Mangui is known as “China’s Second North Pole Village.” For about ten days after the summer solstice each year, it presents the stunning spectacle of “endless daylight” and a “sliver of sky.” Around the winter solstice, the aurora occasionally appears. This is also China’s cold pole, where temperatures are said to reach as low as -50°C.
Zalantun
Zhalantun is located in eastern Hulunbuir and is the only national-level scenic area in Inner Mongolia, as well as a China Excellent Tourism City. "Zhalan" means "canling" (参领) in Manchu, a military official title of the Qing dynasty. The area has clear waters and green mountains, distinct four seasons, and scenes reminiscent of Jiangnan (the Yangtze River region) can be found everywhere. The Binzhou Railway runs north to south, and National Highway 111 and inter-provincial trunk routes pass through the city. Zhalantun Genghis Khan Airport provides air service.