Yishun Mongol Ethnic Town in Zhaoyuan County, Daqing

Yishun Mongol Ethnic Town (义顺蒙古族乡) is located in the northwestern part of Zhaoyuan County (肇源县), Daqing City (大庆市), Heilongjiang Province. Covering about 269.34 square kilometers, the town sits on the western edge of the Songnen Plain (松嫩平原), where vast grasslands, wetlands, lakes, and traditional Mongol settlements create a classic northern prairie landscape. The township government is based in Gezhi Village (革志村).

The name “Yishun Hud” comes from Mongolian and means “nine boys,” reflecting the area’s deep Mongol tribal heritage dating back to the Qing Dynasty when it belonged to the Gorlos Rear Banner (郭尔罗斯后旗). Today, the township remains one of the best-preserved Mongolian cultural areas in western Heilongjiang.

History and Ethnic Culture

The region has an exceptionally long history. Archaeological discoveries at the Xiaolaha Site (小拉哈遗址) show that humans lived here more than 6,500 years ago, making it one of the earliest Neolithic cultural centers in Heilongjiang Province. During the Liao and Jin dynasties, the area developed into a grassland settlement zone, while in the Yuan Dynasty it became part of the territory governed by the descendants of Genghis Khan’s younger brother, Otchigin.

In the Qing Dynasty, Yishun became an important Mongolian nomadic and postal-route region under the Gorlos Mongols. The modern Yishun Mongol Ethnic Town was officially established in 1984. Today, Mongolian culture remains highly visible through local festivals, music, costumes, rituals, food, and traditional grassland lifestyles.

Villages and Population

The township administers 7 administrative villages and dozens of natural settlements, including Dongyishun Village (东义顺村), Xiyishun Village (西义顺村), Gezhi Village (革志村), Dongfa Village (东发村), Changsheng Village (长胜村), Changfa Village (长发村), and Yongjin Village (勇进村).

The total population is about 13,000, with Mongolians forming the largest ethnic minority group. Other ethnic communities include Han, Manchu, and Daur people, creating a multicultural prairie environment while still preserving strong traditional Mongolian identity.

Yishun Hud Ovoo (义顺祜德敖包)

The most important Mongolian cultural landmark is the Yishun Hud Ovoo (义顺祜德敖包), also called Heshuo Ovoo (和硕敖包), located beside Hongyuan Lake (洪源湖) in Dongyishun Village (东义顺村). Built during the Qing Dynasty, the ovoo has a history of around 300 years.

Large stone mounds, colorful prayer flags, and open prairie scenery create a sacred atmosphere. Every June, local Mongolian communities hold traditional ovoo worship ceremonies here, offering hada scarves, milk wine, and dairy foods while walking clockwise around the ovoo to pray for peace, harvest, and prosperity.

Xiaolaha Archaeological Site (小拉哈遗址)

The Xiaolaha Site (小拉哈遗址) is one of the most important archaeological discoveries in Heilongjiang and a nationally protected cultural site. Located near Laha Lake (拉哈泡), the site preserves layers of Neolithic, Bronze Age, and Iron Age cultures.

Archaeologists discovered bone fishing hooks, pottery net sinkers, stone axes, jade objects, and bronze knives, revealing how ancient people gradually evolved from fishing and hunting societies into agricultural and pastoral communities. The site offers valuable insight into early civilization on the Songnen Plain.

Folk Museum and Grassland Scenery

The Yishun Folk Culture Exhibition Hall (义顺民俗文化陈列馆) displays thousands of traditional items connected with Mongolian prairie life. Visitors can see horse saddles, traditional carts, dairy-processing tools, ethnic clothing, shamanic objects, farming tools, and old historical photographs. The museum provides a compact but vivid introduction to local Mongolian history and multicultural development.

Nearby, Hongyuan Lake (洪源湖) offers beautiful grassland lake scenery with wetlands, migratory birds, and seasonal wildflowers. In summer, the lakeside is green and peaceful, while winter transforms the area into a snowy prairie landscape ideal for photography.

The historic Old Official Road (老官道), a Qing Dynasty postal route crossing prairie hills, still preserves traces of ancient transportation and trade routes once used by Mongolian horsemen and caravans.

Mongolian Cultural Experiences

Visitors can enjoy immersive Mongolian cultural activities throughout the year. Summer and autumn are especially lively during the Naadam Festival (那达慕), featuring horse racing, Mongolian wrestling (Bökh / 博克), archery, and traditional games.

Tourists can also experience traditional Mongolian yurts, wear embroidered Mongolian robes, learn dairy-food making, listen to morin khuur (马头琴) performances, and join evening bonfire parties with long-song singing and ethnic dances. Traditional foods such as hand-grabbed lamb, roasted lamb leg, salty milk tea, milk tofu, and kumis remain highlights of the local travel experience.

Transportation and Best Travel Time

From Zhaoyuan County (肇源县), the town is about 70 kilometers away and can be reached in roughly 1.5 hours by car. Long-distance buses also operate daily from the county seat. Since attractions are spread across grassland and lake areas, self-driving or chartered vehicles are the most convenient transportation options.

The best time to visit is June to October. Summer brings green grasslands, wildflowers, lakes, and festival activities, while autumn offers golden prairie scenery and excellent photography conditions. Winter is cold but beautiful, with snowy grasslands, horse-racing events, and strong northern Mongolian atmosphere.

Recommended Travel Routes

Classic One-Day Mongolian Culture Route

Start the morning at the Yishun Folk Culture Exhibition Hall (义顺民俗文化陈列馆) to learn about local Mongolian history and prairie traditions. Continue to the Xiaolaha Archaeological Site (小拉哈遗址) to explore the 6,500-year-old ancient cultural remains of the Songnen Plain.

Before lunch, enjoy a relaxing walk around Hongyuan Lake (洪源湖) and experience the peaceful grassland scenery. At noon, head to a traditional Mongolian camp for authentic prairie cuisine including hand-grabbed lamb, roasted lamb leg, milk tea, and dairy foods.

In the afternoon, visit the sacred Yishun Hud Ovoo (义顺祜德敖包) for Mongolian blessing rituals and panoramic prairie views. Continue to the historic Old Official Road (老官道) to experience traces of the ancient Mongolian postal route and open grassland landscapes.

Later, visitors can try Mongolian clothing, yurt experiences, handicrafts, and horse-head fiddle performances before ending the day with sunset photography at Hongyuan Lake and an evening bonfire party with Mongolian songs and dances.

Two-Day Grassland and Mongolian Culture Route

Day 1:
Zhaoyuan County → Yishun Mongol Ethnic Town (义顺蒙古族乡) → Folk Culture Exhibition Hall → Xiaolaha Site → Hongyuan Lake → Yishun Hud Ovoo → Mongolian Camp overnight experience.

Day 2:
Yishun → Chaodeng Mongol Ethnic Town (超等蒙古族乡) for horse-riding performances and additional Mongolian cultural activities → return to Zhaoyuan County (肇源县) → evening visit to the Songhua River Riverside Scenic Area (松花江滨江景区).

Travel Tips

When visiting Mongolian yurts, avoid stepping on the doorway threshold and always accept drinks or hada scarves respectfully with both hands or the right hand. Around the ovoo, visitors should walk clockwise and avoid climbing or damaging the sacred stone structures.

Because prairie temperatures vary greatly between day and night, carrying a light jacket in summer and thick winter clothing during the snow season is highly recommended. Visitors should also help protect the fragile grassland ecosystem by avoiding littering or picking wildflowers.