Bailang Town in Arxan City, Hinggan League

Bailang Town is located in the southern part of Arxan City in Hinggan League, along Provincial Highway S203. With a forest coverage rate of up to 86%, it is a scenic forest town in the Greater Khingan Mountains and a key base for self-driving trips along Arxan's southern route. The town brings together alpine landscapes, forests, wetlands and reindeer-related local culture, and was also a filming location for the variety show The Inn 2 (《亲爱的客栈2》).

Address: Bailang Town, Arxan City, Hinggan League; approximately 32 km from downtown Arxan, about 40–50 minutes by car.

Basic Information

• Travel season: Main attractions are open from May to mid-October; some scenic areas close from November to April in winter.
• Recommended visiting time: The main attractions can be covered in one day. If you want to see sunrise and the starry sky from Bailang Peak, staying overnight is recommended.
• Best travel seasons: July–August is ideal for lush green forests, cool temperatures and flourishing wetland vegetation. Early September to September 20 is the best autumn period, when birch and larch forests turn golden and create rich layers of autumn color, making it the best season for photography. The best shooting opportunities are the sea of clouds and sunrise from Bailang Peak in the early morning, and forest sunsets in the evening.

How to Get There

1. By car (recommended): Drive south from downtown Arxan along S203 directly to Bailang Town. The entire route is paved and accessible to ordinary passenger cars. Free parking is available in the town and at the major attractions.
2. Private or shared car: You can hire a car from Arxan City for a day trip to Bailang Town, which is convenient for visitors without their own vehicle.
3. Public transportation: Only a small number of rural buses operate in the area. Services are infrequent and schedules are not flexible, so public transportation is not recommended for independent travelers.

Main Attractions

Bailang Peak Scenic Area

At an elevation of 1,511 meters, Bailang Peak is one of the high points in the central Greater Khingan Mountains and features glacial-remnant landforms. Visitors can drive directly to the summit viewing platform. In the early morning, a sea of clouds is often visible, with sweeping views across the rolling forests of the Greater Khingan Mountains. In autumn, the mountains turn golden, while sunrise and sunset are particularly spectacular.

Bailang Deer Park (鹿村)

A filming location for a popular variety show, the deer park allows visitors to get close to and feed sika deer and reindeer in the forest. Deer food is charged separately. Do not pull the animals' antlers, and never feed them bread or snacks. The wooden cabins surrounded by forest create a charming atmosphere and are especially photogenic.

Forest Culture Village (林俗村)

A National Key Village for Rural Tourism, the village preserves old wooden houses once used by forestry workers in the 20th century. The Forest Culture Museum introduces the history of logging in the Greater Khingan Mountains, while visitors can also experience birch-bark painting, a regional-level form of intangible cultural heritage.

Aolun Bukan Scenic Area (奥伦布坎景区)

A 4A-rated attraction located not far from Bailang Town, Aolun Bukan showcases Tungusic tribal culture alongside volcanic lava canyons, a reindeer park and forest hiking trails. Activities include rafting and traditional cultural performances.

Eye of the Forest Viewing Platform (森林之眼)

This 360-degree elevated viewing platform sits along a mountain ridge and offers expansive views over the layered forests of the Greater Khingan Mountains. It is particularly suitable for watching sunsets and enjoying the night sky.

Tao'er River Wetland Park (洮儿河湿地公园)

A free wetland park featuring river valleys and winding waterways. Dense morning fog often fills the valley, making it a peaceful place for walking and relaxing.

Recommended One-Day Self-Driving Route

Arxan City → Eye of the Forest → Bailang Peak (sunrise and forest views) → Bailang Deer Park → Forest Culture Village → Aolun Bukan Scenic Area → return to Arxan City, or stay overnight in Bailang Town.

Accommodation and Food

Accommodation

1. Bailang Town or Forest Culture Village guesthouses and wooden cabins: Prices are generally more affordable than in downtown Arxan. Traditional log cabins are close to Bailang Peak, making it convenient to get up early for sunrise. Advance booking is recommended during peak season.
2. Stay in downtown Arxan: Accommodation and other facilities are more complete, making Bailang Town suitable for a day trip. There are relatively few guesthouses inside the Deer Village, and prices tend to be higher, so staying there is not the first choice.

Local Food

Local specialties include chicken stewed with mushrooms, forest-style iron-pot stews, wild vegetables such as willowherb shoots, pan-fried small river fish, lamb and salty milk tea. It is best to eat at restaurants in Bailang Town, as food inside the Deer Village tends to be more expensive.

Practical Tips

1. The high elevation means strong winds and large temperature differences between day and night. Even in summer, bring a windproof jacket. Mosquitoes are abundant in the forest, so insect repellent is essential.
2. The road up Bailang Peak has many bends, and the surface can become slippery in rainy weather, so drive slowly and carefully. If you plan to watch the sunrise, leave very early and bring sufficiently warm clothing.
3. Mobile phone reception can be weak in some parts of the forest. Download an offline map in advance. The Greater Khingan Mountains forest area has strict fire-prevention rules, and smoking and open flames are prohibited throughout the area.
4. When interacting with reindeer and deer, move gently and calmly. Do not chase or hit the animals or pull their antlers, and do not leave designated trails to enter undeveloped forest areas.

Nearby Attractions

Bailang Town → Aolun Bukan → Arxan National Forest Park (Dujuan Lake and Arxan Tianchi); you can also take the Mo'a Highway (蘑阿公路) toward Chaihe Moon Town (柴河月亮小镇).