Written by Veronica |
Situated in the northern Greater Khingan Mountains, Inner Mongolia, Moerdaoga National Forest Park is one of the largest forest parks in China. It covers an enormous area of 148,324 hectares with a forest coverage rate of 94.97%. Moerdaoga National Forest Park is also one of the best places to see larch trees and white birches. And its autumn scenery is breathtaking.
Moerdaoga means “to battle on horseback” in Mongolian language. Genghis Khan, the top hero of Mongolian people, was once on a hunting expedition and was inspired by the spectacular sight of the dawn. When the sun rose above the mountain where he was at, he shouted to his tribe: “Moerdaoga!” which means to set out for battle on a horse.
The park features stunning mountains, virgin forests, rivers, islands, folk villages, wildlife, and has plenty of natural wonders to enjoy.Moerdaoga National Forest Park is not just a renowned tourist destination. It’s an open book of nature and each landscape is the most sincere statement of nature, waiting for every traveler to travel to Hulunbuir in Inner Mongolia to explore this beautiful secret forest!
Facts About Moerdaoga National Forest Park
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- Location: 12 km from MoerdaogaTown, Ergun City, Hulunbuir City, Inner Mongolia
- Highlights: the last remaining bright coniferous virgin forest in China’s cold temperate zone
- Opening time: 8:30-17:30
- Ticket price: RMB 95 (driving into the park is allowed)
- Time needed: 3-6 hours
- Suited to: nature lovers, photographers, hikers
What to See and Do in Moerdaoga National Forest Park
Moerdaoga National Forest Park has the following unique natural attractions:
Ormosia Slope is named after many Ormosia trees growing on the slope, and there are many squirrels running around in woods.
Nine Ridges at One Glance is one of the highest points in the park, overlooking the beautiful scenery of the entire forest park.
Hunter’s Road is a small path through the forest, where you can enjoy beautiful scenery and wildlife along the way.
Forest on Ice: The surface is the remains of permafrost glaciers, on which there are some special trees growing.
Bailu Island is a landmark attraction of Moerdaoga National Forest Park, where tall and straight birch trees and low purple shrubs grow alongside each other. There are rapid river-rafting (approximately 10 kilometers) and mountain vehicles available here. Tourists who enjoy excitement can have a try.
You can also visit Ewenki Reindeer Tribe to interact with local reindeer and take photos. Or take a cruise ship upstream along Ergun River and enjoy the panoramic view of the China-Russia border river scenery.
Bicycling and meditating in the forest are also good choices.
The Forest Train in Moerdaoga National Forest Park
The forest train is a must-experience activity for visiting Moerdaoga National Forest Park. The forest train is located 1 km away from the park gate. The train travels through magnificent mountains and forests at a speed of 15 kilometers per hour. The entire sightseeing route is about 10 km long and takes 1 hour and 40 minutes.
The exterior design of each train is different and very eye-catching. Red, green, blue, black, which color of train you will board on is a matter of luck. The forest train passes through four sightseeing stations along the way, each of which stops for a period of time.
Best Time to Visit Moerdaoga National Forest Park
The best time to visit Moerdaoga National Forest Park is from May to October, especially from September to mid October.
This is the period when the leaves in the park begin to change color. Pinus Sylvestris are still lush green, white birch leaves are light yellow, larch needles are golden yellow, and red poplar and shrub leaves are dotted among them. The entire forest is colorful, forming a beautiful scenery with layers of forest dyed.
During this period, the natural scenery in Moerdaoga National Forest Park reaches its most splendid state, so a large number of tourists plan their Inner Mongolia tours in autumn season.
Tips: Entering the forest area, fire prevention comes first and the use of fire is prohibited.
How to Get to Moerdaoga National Forest Park
Driving from Hailar, Hulunbuir City, it takes over 5 hours to reach Moerdaoga National Forest Park (more than 340 km). Along the way, you can enjoy beautiful scenery of grassland and the Greater Khingan Mountains.
Or you can get to Moerdaoga Station by train, then take a car to the park, which only needs about 20 minutes (16 km).
Attractions Nearby Moerdaoga National Forest Park
- White Birch Forest Scenic Area: Itboasts dense and beautiful birch trees where visitors can enjoy a serene and peaceful environment.
- Shi Wei: aborder town featuring Russian-style architecture and customs.
- Ergun Wetland: Asia’s largest wetland and a natural paradise for birds and plants.
