Aoluguya Reindeer Village: The Only Reindeer Tribe in China

Written by Veronica | Updated January 16,2026

In the depths of the Greater Khingan Forests in Genhe City, Inner Mongolia, there exist a legendary people – the Ewenki reindeer tribe. As the hometown of reindeer in China, Aoluguya Reindeer Village is attracting more and more people to travel to Inner Mongolia to experience its unique Ewenki customs and reindeer culture.

Aoluguya, meaning dense and thriving birch forest in the Ewenki language, is where the mysterious Ewenki people reside. For centuries, Ewenki people have lived in the dense forests of the Greater Khingan Range by hunting and raising reindeer. Nowadays, Aoluguya Ewenki is the only “reindeer tribe” in China and is also known as the “last hunting tribe in China”.

Entering Aoluguya Reindeer Village, you can not only enjoy the natural beauty of the Greater Khingan Range and get to see the forest elves – reindeer, but also visit Cuoluozi houses made of birch bark, watch fascinating Ewenki performances, and taste local cuisine to explore the ancient cultural customs and unique way of life of the Ewenki people.

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• Facts About Aoluguya Reindeer Village
• Overview of Aoluguya Reindeer Village & the Ewenki People
• What to See and Do in Aoluguya Reindeer Village
• Best Time to Visit Aoluguya Reindeer Village
• Getting to Aoluguya Reindeer Village
• How to Travel Around Aoluguya Reindeer Village
• Accommodation Around Aoluguya Reindeer Village
• Essential Travel Tips
• Attractions Nearby Aoluguya Reindeer Village
• Travel Hulunbuir with China Xian Tour

Facts About Aoluguya Reindeer Village

• Location: About 4 kilometers west of Genhe City, Hulunbuir, Inner Mongolia(near the Aoluguya Ewenki Township)
• Opening Time: 09:00-17:30
• Ticket Price: About 80 RMB per adult
• Time Needed: 4-5hours
• Suited to: Nature lovers, culture enthusiasts, photographers, families with kids

Overview of Aoluguya Reindeer Village & the Ewenki People

Aoluguya Reindeer Village is officially part of Aoluguya Ewenki Ethnic Township, and it’s about 4 km west of Genhe City. The township covers approximately 1,700+ square kilometers. Its population is around 1,400–1,500, including over 200 Ewenki residents from different branches.

“Aoluguya” means “dense and flourishing forest” in the Ewenki language. The Ewenki are traditionally forest-dwelling people whose name itself means “people who live in the mountains and forests.”

Who Are the Reindeer Ewenki?

The Ewenki people historically consisted of three branches, which are:

• Solon – agricultural Ewenki
• Tungus – nomadic pastoral Ewenki
• Yakut (Reindeer Ewenki) – forest hunters and reindeer herders

The Yakut branch, living in Aoluguya, is China’s only ethnic group that raises reindeer. Their ancestors migrated from the Baikal Lake region into the Greater Khingan forests in the 17th century, surviving through hunting and reindeer herding.

They were historically known as the “Deer-Using Tribe”, relying on reindeer for transportation through forests and swamps, carrying goods (up to 35 kg per reindeer), and antler velvet harvesting (since the 1960s).

Today, there are only around 30–40 pure-blood reindeer Ewenki elders remain. The reindeer’s population has also decreased to about 600–1,000. While many Ewenki families now live settled lives, still, there are some (not many) elderly hunters still maintain traditional forest stations deep in the mountains.

What to See and Do in Aoluguya Reindeer Village

Reindeer Park

The Reindeer Park is where you can interact with the friendly reindeer up close, feed them with moss, and wear traditional Ewenki costumes to take photos with them. In winter, you can also take a reindeer sleigh ride and enjoy the stunning scenery of Aoluguya Reindeer Village.

The reindeer culture of Aoluguya has a long history. Reindeer are commonly known as the “four unlike” animal, and are the mounts of Santa Claus. Both male and female reindeer have antler velvet. They are gentle, easy to raise, eat moss and other wild plants. Skilled at crossing forests and swamps, reindeer is the main means of transportation for Ewenki hunters and an indispensable part of Ewenki people’s lives.

In addition, you may see cute squirrels, roe deer, and little rabbits in Reindeer Park.

Cuoluozi Houses

Due to frequent migration, the Ewenki people do not have a fixed place of residence, and their housing is temporarily constructed as “Cuoluozi”. Cuoluozi is a cone-shaped simple tent, about 3-5 meters high, and made up of 20-30 pine trees as the main trunk and covered with birch bark or canvas.

You can walk leisurely in the birch forest and explore these unique architecture and living environment of the Aoluguya Reindeer Tribe in harmony with nature.

You can also savor the local delicacies of the Ewenki people, such as reindeer meat, milk tea, wild mushrooms, pine nuts, and berries in Cuoluozi houses of Aoluguya Reindeer Village.

Ewenki Museum

Ewenki Museum is a must-visit attraction in the Aoluguya Reindeer Village that showcases the history, culture, and traditions of the Ewenki people. You can see various handicrafts and artworks of the Ewenki people, and learn about the living habits of reindeer.

Folk Performances

Aoluguya Reindeer Village in Inner Mongolia has a very cold climate and a long period of primitive isolation, which has allowed it to preserve the original ethnic culture.

You can watch traditional Ewenki folk performances that include singing, dancing, and storytelling here. These performances are an excellent way to experience the culture and traditions of the Ewenki people.

Best Time to Visit Aoluguya Reindeer Village

The optimal season here is from June to September every year, when you can see the rare scene of cutting the reindeer antler velvet. Aoluguya Reindeer Village also has authentic ethnic songs and dances, and you can engage in bonfire parties with Ewenki hunters.

Meanwhile, winter is the most vibrant season for the Aoluguya reindeer tribe. At this time, Aoluguya Reindeer Village is fully covered with white snow and ice and you can witness the Ewenki way of production and life.

Getting to Aoluguya Reindeer Village

You can first take a plane, train, or car from Hailar District of Hulunbuir City to Genhe City. It takes nearly 4 hours to cover over 200 kilometers of distance by car.

Then, from Genhe City to Aoluguya Reindeer Village, there is no public transportation, so you need to take a taxi or charter a car to get there, which takes about 20 minutes.

Tips: If you want to go to an Ewenki hunting spot during your Inner Mongolia tours, you can only rent a car or carpool. Hunting spots are mostly located in the primitive forest 30 kilometers away from Aoluguya Reindeer Village. It is best to contact the hunting spot in advance and find a driver who knows the way.

You can stay at the home of an Ewenki hunter and become an “Ewenki” for a day, immersing yourself in Ewenki culture.

How to Travel Around Aoluguya Reindeer Village

• Inside the scenic area:

There are basically two ways for you to travel in the site. First is electric shuttle buses. They connect the entrance, museum, reindeer park, and performance areas. Then there are walking trails. They can lead you to places like forest paths and cuoluozi houses, making on-foot exploration easy.

• Outside the village:

No public transportation here. People usually travel by taxi or private car. It takes about 20 minutes to travel from Genhe City. Self-driving is common but road conditions can be rough (and it can be a bit difficult for foreign travelers to get a temporary driving license).

It is highly recommended to join a customized Hulunbuir tour, which can provide flexible itinerary and easier access to nearby attractions.

Accommodation Around Aoluguya Reindeer Village

• In or near the village:

If you want to stay in or near the village (scenic area), you can choose from small local guesthouses, wooden lodges, and cuoluozi-style camps.

Facilities in these stays are simple but clean, only expect basic things like heating, hot water, and private bathroom. Some places offer forest views or reindeer-themed décor in the rooms. Dining options are usually limited and breakfast is not always provided. So bring some food yourself in case you cannot find restaurants in time.

• Genhe City (more comfortable):

Genhe City offers more standard hotels with better service, and you’ll dins it more convenient to buy things and find restaurants. If you’re visiting in winter, this is a more comfortable choice than stay in the village.

Essential Travel Tips

• Dress warmly year-round. It’s quite cold here, even in summer (especially summer nights).
• Bring cash. Some vendors don’t accept mobile payments and cards.
• Feed reindeer dry moss only (wet moss is less preferred). Don’t give them any other food before asking.

Attractions Nearby Aoluguya Reindeer Village

• Ergun Wetland: the largest wetland in Asia, and a natural paradise for birds and plants.
• White Birch Forest Scenic Area: features white birch trees, grasslands, lakes, and charming wooden houses.
• Shiwei Russian Town: a well-preserved town with Russian-style architecture and customs.
• Genhe Wetland Park: a scenic park with rich wetland resources and ecological diversity.

Travel Hulunbuir with China Xian Tour

Hulunbuir is beautiful place with enormous grasslands and pristine forests, but what you can explore here goes way beyond just scenery. The unique and precious culture heritage, just like what you can see in Aoluguya, can give you more impressive expriences. To make the most of your Hulunbuir journey, China Xian Tour can be your best travel partner. We provide all kinds of services you may expect, such as customized itineraries or private transfers and professional local guides. Let us take care of all the arrangements, so you can simply enjoy the journey and focus on discovering the true charm of Hulunbuir.