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,…
Zalantun, Hulunbuir
Key facts
- Guidebook rating
- 4 / 5
From China Self Guided Travel 2025, page 1904. Open in Google Maps
About 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.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Zalantun?
Zalantun 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
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.
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
Moon Town·Chaihe
The highlight is the rare sight of a cluster of high-mountain crater lakes. The scenic area is dotted with volcanic remains and primeval forest, and its seven high-altitude lakes above 1,000 metres correspond to the stars of the Big Dipper in the sky. The round Moon Lake and the heart-shaped concentric lakes mirror each other, truly a place where heaven and earth reflect one another and heart and moon keep company.
¥100 · 0.5–1 day