13 Days Northeast China Cycling Tour from Mohe (Heilongjiang) to Hulunbuir (Inner Mongolia)

Cycling Distance: 140 km
Attractions Along the Way: Greater Khingan Range Scenic Area (大兴安岭风景区), remote forest settlements, and unnamed rivers in the boreal forest.
Road Conditions & Elevation Changes: The road is mainly asphalt, quiet and surrounded by endless boreal forests. It is a challenging day with moderate to steep climbs in the first half (accounting for about 40% of the total distance), followed by gentle descents and flat sections in the second half; the overall elevation gain is about 350 meters, testing initial physical strength.
Begin your epic ride with a full immersion into the vastness of the North. This substantial 140km leg travels through the stunning Greater Khingan Range (大兴安岭). Pedal along quiet roads enveloped by endless boreal forest, passing rivers and remote settlements. It's a challenging first day that rewards you with deep wilderness and a powerful sense of accomplishment upon reaching Mangui (满归).

Cycling Distance: 120 km
Attractions Along the Way: Primeval Taiga Forest (原始泰加林), Jinhe Forestry Scenic Area (金河林业风景区), and possible wildlife viewing spots (squirrels, deer, etc.).
Road Conditions & Elevation Changes: Asphalt road with rhythmic climbs and descents; climbs and descents alternate evenly (each accounting for about 30% of the distance), with flat sections in between (40%); the road is narrow in some sections but smooth, with an overall elevation gain of about 280 meters, and the difficulty is moderate.
Continue your journey through the heart of the primeval taiga. The forest feels timeless, and the road is your private path. This 120km route offers rhythmic climbs and descents through pine and larch, with the possibility of spotting wildlife. Jinhe (金河), a town built on the forestry industry, provides a warm welcome and a glimpse into local life in this remote region.

Cycling Distance: 80 km
Attractions Along the Way: Jinhe River Valley (金河河谷), Genhe Cold Pole Scenic Area (根河冷极风景区), and surrounding forest landscapes.
Road Conditions & Elevation Changes: The route follows river valleys, with gentle flat roads (accounting for 50% of the distance) and soft rolling hills (mild climbs and descents, each accounting for 25%); the road is smooth and wide, with minimal elevation gain (about 150 meters), making it a relatively relaxing day.
A shorter but beautifully varied day. The route follows river valleys, offering a mix of gentle flats and soft rollers. Enjoy the changing scenery as you cycle 80km to the larger town of Genhe (根河). Known as the "Cold Pole (冷极)," it's a hub of activity and a perfect place to resupply, with a more pronounced local culture set against the backdrop of surrounding forests.

Cycling Distance: 115 km
Attractions Along the Way: Khingan Mountains Scenic Passage (大兴安岭山脉风景廊道), remote mountain overlooks, and Mordaoga National Forest Park (莫尔道嘎国家森林公园, entrance near the destination).
Road Conditions & Elevation Changes: The longest continuous riding day with complex road conditions; the first 60km has long and steep climbs (accounting for 45% of the distance), the middle 30km is flat (30%), and the last 25km is a long downhill (25%); the total elevation gain is about 420 meters, which is the most physically demanding day of the entire trip.
Test your legs on the tour's longest continuous ride. This 115km journey is a true passage through the Khingan mountains (大兴安岭山脉), featuring remote stretches where you are the only traveler. The deep solitude is punctuated by breathtaking overlooks. Reaching Mordaoga (莫尔道嘎) marks a significant milestone—you've conquered the forest's core.

Cycling Distance: 90 km
Attractions Along the Way: Mordaoga Forest Edge Scenery (莫尔道嘎森林边缘风光), Erguna River Basin (额尔古纳河流域), Shiwen/Shiwei Ethnic Scenic Area (石文/室韦民族风景区).
Road Conditions & Elevation Changes: As the forest thins, the road gradually becomes flat; climbs account for only 20% of the distance (mild slopes), descents account for 30% (gentle), and flat sections account for 50%; the road is smooth asphalt, with an elevation gain of about 180 meters, and the difficulty is relatively low.
Feel the landscape transform. As you leave Mordaoga (莫尔道嘎), the dense tree line begins to recede, giving way to wider skies and meadow-edged paths. Cycle 90km toward the Erguna River (额尔古纳河) basin, arriving in the Shiwen/Shiwei (石文/室韦) area. You'll sense the cultural shift as you enter a region rich with the heritage of the Mongolians (蒙古族) and the unique Sino-Russian ethnicity (中俄混血族群).

Cycling Distance: 0 km (rest day)
Attractions Along the Way: Shiwei Village (室韦村), Erguna River Border View (额尔古纳河边境观景), Russian-style Muqieg Houses (俄罗斯风格木刻楞房屋), Sino-Russian Cultural Street (中俄文化街).
Road Conditions & Elevation Changes: No riding today; focus on rest and cultural exploration.
An essential and enriching pause. Explore the enchanting village of Shiwei (室韦) on foot. Walk to the scenic riverfront with views into Russia (俄罗斯), admire the charming wooden muqieg houses (木刻楞房屋), and sample local Russian-influenced cuisine. This day is for recovery, cultural discovery, and mentally preparing for the sweeping grasslands to come.

Cycling Distance: 85 km
Attractions Along the Way: Erguna River Border Road Scenery (额尔古纳河边境公路风光), Hulunbuir Grasslands Edge (呼伦贝尔草原边缘), Qika Hamlet Scenery (奇卡村落风光).
Road Conditions & Elevation Changes: The most iconic and relaxed riding day; the road is flat (accounting for 70% of the distance), with gentle descents (20%) and minimal mild climbs (10%); the asphalt road runs parallel to the Erguna River, with an elevation gain of only about 100 meters, making it easy-paced and suitable for enjoying the scenery.
Recharge complete, embark on one of the most iconic stretches: the Erguna River (额尔古纳河) Road. For 85km, pedal with the serene river on one side and the vast, unfolding Hulunbuir Grasslands (呼伦贝尔草原) on the other. The borderland scenery is immense and unforgettable, making for a day of easy-paced, awe-inspiring cycling into the quiet hamlet of Qika (奇卡).

Cycling Distance: 85 km
Attractions Along the Way: Hulunbuir Grasslands Core Area (呼伦贝尔草原核心区), Grazing Herds Scenery (放牧群风光), Heishantou Grassland Viewpoint (黑山头草原观景台).
Road Conditions & Elevation Changes: Rolling grassland roads; soft climbs and descents alternate (each accounting for 35% of the distance), with flat sections in between (30%); the road is smooth, with an elevation gain of about 220 meters, and the riding rhythm is comfortable, suitable for enjoying the steppe scenery.
Now fully in the domain of the legendary steppe. This 85km ride is a soulful journey across rolling green hills under an endless dome of blue sky. Pass by grazing herds of horses, sheep, and cattle. The simplicity and scale of the landscape are meditative. Heishantou (黑山头) is a classic grassland town, offering a peaceful night under the stars.

Open, endless grassland is our back drop for the next two days: small hills and streams flow across endless green with white Mongolian gers (yurts) and sheep starkly dotting the landscape.  The Hulunbuir Grassland is one of China’s best preserved; many others falling into erosion and desertification due to bad agricultural practices.  Whilst starkly open, with seemingly little vegetation, and enduring incredibly harsh winters, grasslands like these are one of the most important ecological systems in the world, covering around 40% of the earth’s land and sustaining vast amounts of wildlife.  From the Far East, stretching all the way across Mongolia through Russia, Ukraine through to Hungary; along the Black Sea and Caucasus through Georgia, Armenia and Turkey; around the Caspian Sea from Kazakhstan through Afghanistan to Iran: these greater Eurasian grasslands also supported the “felt nations”, nomadic herders of various ethnicities that grazed livestock and hunted wildlife.  Starker even than the Great Wall, grasslands form a much clearer borderline between the nomadic peoples of the north to the sedentary farming peoples of the south.

Our ride will take us past Heshantou (Black Mountain) where lies the barely visible remains of an ancient city dating back to the Liao Dynasty (916-1125).  The Liao Dynasty was formed by a Mongolic speaking ethnic group, the Khitans, that ruled northern China, Korea and eastern Russia.  At the end of their rule their nobles retreated into Russia and were seen as Chinese.by the locals, hence, in Russian and Kazakh, Khitai is the word for China.

We’ll lodge tonight in Mongolian style ger (yurt) accommodation on the grassland.

Cycling Distance: 50 km
Attractions Along the Way: Grassland to Urban Transition Scenery (草原到城镇过渡风光), Erguna Buddhist Temple Complex (额尔古纳佛教寺庙群).
Road Conditions & Elevation Changes: The shortest riding day with gentle and flat roads (accounting for 60% of the distance), mild climbs (20%) and gentle descents (20%); the road gradually widens as it approaches the city, with an elevation gain of about 120 meters, making it a relaxing transition day.
Enjoy a shorter, relaxing 50km ride as the grasslands gently lead you toward urban civilization. Your destination is Erguna (Labdrin, 额尔古纳), a vibrant county seat. The contrast is striking. Use your afternoon to visit the magnificent Buddhist temple complex on the city's edge, a spiritual and architectural highlight of the region.

Cycling Distance: 100 km
Attractions Along the Way: Erguna River Estuary Scenery (额尔古纳河河口风光), Hailar Urban Edge Scenery (海拉尔城市边缘风光).
Road Conditions & Elevation Changes: The final major riding day with moderate difficulty; flat roads account for 50% of the distance, gentle climbs (30%) and descents (20%); the road is wide and smooth, with an elevation gain of about 250 meters, and the overall rhythm is steady, suitable for a triumphant finish.
Your last major riding day is a triumphant 100km conclusion. Leave the grasslands behind and cycle towards the regional capital, Hailar (海拉尔). Watch the landscape subtly change as you approach the city. The sight of Hailar's (海拉尔) skyline is a rewarding marker of your incredible 725km+ journey across Northern China's most stunning terrain.

Cycling Distance: 0 km (rest day)
Attractions Along the Way: Hulunbuir Museum (呼伦贝尔博物馆), Zhongdong Square (中东广场), Hailar Urban Scenery (海拉尔城市风光).
Road Conditions & Elevation Changes: No riding today; focus on rest, celebration and preparation for departure.
A full day to relax and explore. Visit the Hulunbuir Museum (呼伦贝尔博物馆) to connect the history with the landscapes you've traversed, enjoy the buzz of Zhongdong Square (中东广场), and indulge in a celebratory meal. This day is for reflection, packing your bike, and savoring the satisfaction of a monumental journey completed.

Cycling Distance: 0 km (departure day)
Attractions Along the Way: Hulunbuir Hailar Airport (呼伦贝尔海拉尔机场)
Road Conditions & Elevation Changes: No riding today; focus on departure.
After an adventure of a lifetime, transfer to Hulunbuir Hailar Airport (HLD, 呼伦贝尔海拉尔机场) for your flight to Beijing (北京) and onward connections. You carry with you the memories of Arctic forests, winding rivers, boundless grasslands, and the enduring freedom of the open road.