Haode Mongol Ethnic Town in Zhaoyuan County, Daqing

Haode Mongol Ethnic Town (浩德蒙古族乡) is located in the northwestern part of Zhaoyuan County (肇源县), Daqing City (大庆市), Heilongjiang Province. The township government is based in Xihaode Village (西浩德村) and the entire area covers about 152.69 square kilometers. Vast grasslands, wetlands, lakes, and Mongolian settlements create a classic prairie landscape of western Heilongjiang.

The name “Haode” comes from the Mongolian word “Haorqin,” meaning “harmony” and “friendly cooperation.” Historically, the region belonged to the Gorlos Rear Banner (郭尔罗斯后旗) during the Qing Dynasty and served as an important Mongolian nomadic and grazing area. In 1984, the township was officially established as Haode Mongol Ethnic Town, becoming one of the three major Mongolian ethnic townships in Zhaoyuan County.

Geography and Ethnic Culture

Located on the western edge of the Songnen Plain (松嫩平原), Haode features flat grasslands, wetlands, saline-alkali land, and prairie lakes. Grasslands cover more than 60% of the township, with rich ecological resources and wide-open prairie scenery throughout the year.

The township has a population of around 9,000–10,000 people, with Mongolians accounting for over one-third of residents, making them the largest ethnic minority group in the area. Mongolian customs, music, festivals, costumes, and traditional pastoral culture remain deeply preserved in daily life.

Haode Ovoo Complex (浩德敖包群)

One of the most important cultural sites is the Haode Ovoo Complex (浩德敖包群), located on the grassland highlands near Xinghai Village (兴海村). Dating back to the Qing Dynasty, the site consists of one large stone ovoo surrounded by twelve smaller ovoos decorated with colorful prayer flags.

Every year on the thirteenth day of the fifth lunar month, local Mongolian communities hold large-scale ovoo worship ceremonies here. Visitors can witness traditional rituals involving hada scarves, milk wine, whole roasted sheep offerings, and clockwise prayer walks around the sacred stone mounds while enjoying panoramic prairie views.

Mongolian Folk Culture Experience Park

The Mongolian Folk Culture Experience Park (蒙古族民俗文化体验园) in Xihaode Village (西浩德村) is the cultural center of the township. Traditional Mongolian yurts are used for accommodation, dining, and performances, creating an immersive grassland atmosphere.

The exhibition hall displays old Mongolian carts, carved saddles, dairy-processing tools, shaman costumes, horse-head fiddles, and traditional ethnic clothing. Visitors can also enjoy performances of morin khuur (马头琴), four-string instruments, Mongolian long songs, paper-cutting, and leather handicrafts.

Lianhua Lake Wetland (莲花湖湿地)

Located in Lianhua Village (莲花村), Lianhua Lake Wetland (莲花湖湿地) is one of the township’s most beautiful natural landscapes. The wetland covers thousands of acres and serves as a habitat for cranes, wild geese, ducks, and many migratory birds.

In summer, lotus flowers bloom across the lake while reeds sway in the wind, creating ideal scenery for photography and birdwatching. During winter, the frozen lake transforms into a snowy northern grassland landscape suitable for ice activities and winter travel experiences.

Prairie Ranches and Grassland Experiences

The large prairie ranch areas around Laoshan Village (老山村) and Xinghai Village (兴海村) feature endless grasslands with grazing cattle and sheep. Travelers can enjoy horseback riding, herding experiences, prairie camping, bonfire parties, and starry-sky photography.

Summer and autumn are especially lively during the annual Naadam Festival (那达慕), where visitors can watch horse racing, Mongolian wrestling (Bökh / 博克), archery, and traditional horse-riding performances. The township also hosts milk-food festivals featuring milk tofu, milk skin, yogurt, and kumis production experiences.

Specialty Agriculture and Mushroom Culture

Lianhua Village (莲花村) is also known for its morel mushroom industry (羊肚菌) and has been recognized as a national “One Village, One Product” demonstration village. Visitors can experience mushroom picking, agricultural sightseeing, and local mushroom cuisine while learning about the integration of ethnic culture and cold-region agriculture.

Transportation and Best Travel Time

From Zhaoyuan County (肇源县), Haode is about 52 kilometers away and can be reached in roughly one hour by car. Long-distance buses also operate daily between the county seat and the township. Since attractions are spread across prairie and wetland areas, self-driving or chartered transportation is highly recommended.

The best travel season is from June to October. Summer offers green grasslands, lotus flowers, festivals, and cultural ceremonies, while autumn provides golden prairie scenery and excellent photography conditions. Winter is extremely cold but features beautiful snowy grasslands and traditional ice-and-snow activities.

Recommended Travel Routes

One-Day Mongolian Grassland Experience Route

Begin the morning at the Mongolian Folk Culture Experience Park (蒙古族民俗文化体验园) to explore traditional Mongolian history, costumes, and musical instruments. Continue to the Haode Ovoo Complex (浩德敖包群) for blessing rituals and panoramic prairie scenery.

Before lunch, visit the vast grassland ranches for horseback riding and prairie photography. At noon, enjoy authentic Mongolian cuisine such as hand-grabbed lamb, roasted lamb ribs, salty milk tea, and dairy foods inside a traditional Mongolian yurt.

In the afternoon, head to Lianhua Lake Wetland (莲花湖湿地) for birdwatching and lakeside walks, followed by a visit to the morel mushroom base in Lianhua Village. Visitors can also participate in traditional handicraft and dairy-making experiences before ending the day with prairie sunset photography, bonfire parties, folk dances, and starry-sky camping.

Two-Day Mongolian Culture Route

Day 1:
Zhaoyuan County → Haode Mongol Ethnic Town (浩德蒙古族乡) → Folk Culture Experience Park → Haode Ovoo → Prairie Ranches → Lianhua Lake → Mongolian Camp overnight stay.

Day 2:
Haode → Yishun Mongol Ethnic Town (义顺蒙古族乡) → Xiaolaha Archaeological Site → Yishun Ovoo → return to Zhaoyuan County (肇源县) and visit the Songhua River Riverside Scenic Area (松花江滨江景区).

Mongolian Etiquette and Travel Tips

When entering Mongolian yurts, avoid stepping on the threshold and enter from the left side. During traditional toasts, visitors should respectfully receive drinks with the right hand. Around ovoos, always walk clockwise and never climb or damage the sacred stone structures.

Because grassland temperatures can vary significantly between day and night, bringing warm clothing is recommended even during summer. Visitors should also respect the fragile prairie ecosystem by avoiding littering, damaging vegetation, or picking wildflowers.