Things to do in Arxan
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Top 10 attractions in Arxan
Aershan National Forest Park
Aershan National Forest Park is hidden deep in the forested mountains of the southwestern Greater Khingan Range, known for its volcanic landforms, lakes, and forests. Ancient volcanic eruptions left behind a series of geological views here: craters filled with water to form lakes, lava-blocked river channels creating dammed lakes, vast stone beaches paved with black basalt, and deep canyons carved by fractured lava belts. The Halaha River meanders through the park, with over 80% of its area covered by forests dominated by Daurian larch and birch trees. Shitanglin is a highly recognizable stop: on the black lava beach with almost no soil, larch trees root into rock crevices, and moss and lichens cover the stone surface, like walking into a natural volcanic geological museum. Tuofengling Heavenly Lake requires climbing a flight of stairs along a boardwalk; reaching the summit allows you to overlook this crater lake with a water surface elevation of nearly 1300 m, its overall outline resembling a crouching camel. Arxan Heavenly Lake, on the other hand, has no visible rivers flowing in or out, and its water level shows no obvious fluctuations throughout the year. The Halaha River rushes through the chaotic rocks of Santan Gorge, connecting three deep pools: Woniu Pool, Hushi Pool, and Yuexin Pool. Azalea Lake is named for the Xing'an azaleas that bloom along its shores in mid-to-late May each year; if you catch it while the lingering snow has not yet melted, the red flowers against the white snow offer a unique scene. The Chai River originates in the Grand Canyon area within the park, where black volcanic rocks are scattered across the valley floor; the stream winds through them, and you can walk down the wooden boardwalk in the forest to take a closer look. Seasonally, from mid to late September, birch trees and larches gradually turn golden, creating the most vibrant colors in the attraction. In winter, the unfrozen section of the Halaha River remains ice-free, with frost-covered trees lining its banks and herds of cattle often drinking from the river at dawn. The attractions are distributed along a single road with driving distances between them, making self-drive or private charter tours more convenient. Both Tianchi Lake and Tuofengling Tianchi require climbing steps, so comfortable shoes are recommended. The forest area experiences significant temperature variations between morning and evening, so bringing a jacket is advisable even during summer and fall visits.Arxan · 50.7km from downtown
Ice-free River
Ice-free River is located within Aershan National Forest Park. It is a section of the Halaha River that stretches from Three Ponds Gorge to the vicinity of Jinjianggou Forest Farm, spanning approx. 20 km. Thanks to geothermal activity, the insulating rocks beneath the riverbed continuously release heat, keeping this section of the river from freezing for years. In the depths of winter, when water freezes instantly and all other rivers and streams in Aershan are frozen solid, this is the only place where water flows with a gentle murmur and steam rises. A ribbon of flowing water winds through the vast, snow-covered landscape, and the sight of ice and snow coexisting with warm, misty currents leaves many visitors amazed. Around sunrise in the early morning, mist rises from the river surface, and the water vapor condenses on the trees along the banks, forming crystal-clear rime. Round "snow buns" are scattered in the water at the shallows, contrasting with the still-green, swaying water plants in the river, making this a favorite time for photography enthusiasts to capture shots. In the evening, as the setting sun shines obliquely, the afterglow filters through the mist, creating a shimmering, colorful display that looks like rosy clouds spread across the river. If you visit when the winter Ice-free River rafting is open, you can take a specially designed raft downstream and experience a rare warmth amidst the ice and snow on the steaming river surface.Arxan · 38km from downtown
Tuofengling Crater Lake
Tuofengling Crater Lake is a high-altitude crater lake in Aershan National Forest Park. The lake gets its name from the surrounding peaks, which resemble a crouching camel when viewed from a distance. It is a lake formed by water accumulating in a crater after a volcanic eruption, dating back approx. 300,000 years, with a water surface elevation of approx. 1,284 m. Viewed from above, the lake's outline resembles a human left foot. The water is crystal clear, and it is surrounded by dense forest. The volcanic landforms in this area are well-preserved, and you can see porous volcanic rocks along the hiking boardwalk. To see the full view of the lake, you need to climb the wooden boardwalk to the viewing platform at the summit to look down at the lake. On clear days, the lake reflects the drifting clouds and the surrounding mountains. In the fall, the colors of the surrounding forest change, contrasting with the deep blue lake water. Along the way, you can see forests and volcanic landforms, and once you reach the top, you can take in the full view of the lake nestled in the sea of forest.Zhalantun · 61.5km from Arxan
Arxan Tianchi Crater Lake
Arxan Tianchi Crater Lake is located on Tianchi Ridge in Aershan National Forest Park and is a high-altitude crater lake formed approx. 200,000–300,000 years ago. When the volcano erupted, the ejecta piled up around the vent to form a circular embankment. Over the years, water accumulated in the crater to form a lake. The lake surface is a smooth oval, longer from east to west and slightly narrower from north to south, completely surrounded by the dense Xing'an forest. The lake is at an altitude of over 1,300 m, ranking just behind Changbai Mountain Tianchi and Tianshan Tianchi in elevation. Compared to Tuofengling Crater Lake in the same park, this one is at a higher elevation but appears smaller. To see the lake, you must first climb nearly 1,000 steps along the forest boardwalk to reach the viewing platform by the lake. Interestingly, the view narrows after reaching the top, as the circular embankment and dense forest block the distant mountains. All you see before you is a pool of clear water reflecting the sky. You need to look down from a high vantage point to see the entire oval lake. The lake water is famous for several peculiarities: it has no inlet or outlet, yet it never dries up during long droughts or overflows during heavy rains, with the water level remaining constant year-round. While surrounding lakes are rich in fish and shrimp, no fish have ever been seen in this lake, and fish fry introduced in the early years have vanished without a trace. As for how deep the lake is, there is still no definitive conclusion. The scenery here is unique in every season: in late spring and early summer, the mountains are shrouded in mist, and Xing'an azaleas bloom along the lakeshore, with the sapphire-like lake nestled between a sea of flowers and pine forests. In the fall, the birch and larch trees turn from green to gold, with golden leaves and snow-white trunks reflected in the deep blue lake. The fall colors are most intense from mid-to-late September to early October, which is also the peak season for visitors. In winter, the lake freezes over and the forest is covered in snow, transforming into a quiet world of ice and snow.Arxan · 38.7km from downtown
Wuliquan
Wuliquan is located on the side of the S203 road leading to Irshi, and is named after it is 5 miles north of Arshan City. Wuli spring water is high-quality mineral water. The spring water is colorless, odorless, clear and transparent, refreshing and refreshing. The water temperature is 6.3℃-6.8℃, which remains unchanged throughout the year, and the water level is not affected by seasonal changes.Arxan · 2.3km from downtown
Wusu Langzi Lake
Wusu Langzi Lake, formerly known as No. 49 Lake, is surrounded by mountains on three sides. It features vast, clear waters and is rich in cold-water fish such as carp and whitefish, making it a great place for sightseeing and fishing.Arxan · 32.8km from downtown
Shitanglin
Shitang Forest is located in the Arxan National Forest Park, east of Tianchi Forest Farm, 84 kilometers away from Wenquan Street in Arxan City. It is one of the wonders of Daxinganling. It is a geological relic of the Quaternary volcanic eruption and the largest recently extinct volcanic basalt landform in Asia. The geological structure, soil, and vegetation are all in their original state, and the biodiversity is complex.Shitang Forest is 20 kilometers long and 10 kilometers wide. It was formed by the flow of magma after the volcanic eruption. After thousands of years of weathering and water erosion, Shitang Forest has formed a very distinctive natural landscape, like a turbulent lava ocean, with landscapes such as flower-turning stones, lava caves, lava hills, jet cones, lava turtle backs, and underground rivers. The Dahurian larch is lush and leafy, the alpine cypress is everywhere, the pine is evergreen all year round, and the golden and silver plums are golden and silver. In Shitang Forest, stones and forests depend on each other, flowers and plants blend together, clear streams appear and disappear from time to time, and the scenery is full of life everywhere.Arxan · 46.7km from downtown
Three Ponds Gorge
Three Ponds Gorge is located 78 km northeast of Arxan, within the Tianchi Scenic Area. It is the upper reaches of theHalaha Riverand stands in correspondence with Tianchi Mountain from afar. The canyon is approx. 3 km long and features a bridge spanning the creek. The canyon has three pools, hence its name. The three pools are, in order:Arxan National Forest Park - Woniumtan—the river water is calm, and rocks of various sizes, resembling resting oxen, lie across the river in front of the pool, like a large herd of cattle resting in the river;Hushitan—above the calm pool water, the river is densely packed with huge rocks of various shapes, as if a group of tigers are playing and frolicking in the river; Yuexintan—this is the end of the canyon, where the ground suddenly opens up, the river widens, and the pool water is transparent and clear to the bottom. The riverbed is composed of rocks of varying sizes, and both banks are covered with mixed coniferous and broad-leaved forests, where rhododendrons grow lushly, creating a pleasant landscape. A small path runs along the river on the bank. Between the three pools, there are many winding paths, twisting and turning. A section of the canyon features a glacier in June and July, known as the "Summer Glacier."Arxan · 42.1km from downtown
Arxan Hot Spring
Arxan Hot Spring is located in Arxan City, Xing'an League, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and is one of China's famous hot spring resorts. The attraction is renowned for its unique hot spring resources and beautiful natural scenery, earning it the nickname "Divine Spring Snow City." Here are its main features and highlights: 1.Hot spring resources Arxan Hot Spring boasts abundant hot spring resources with water temperatures ranging from 1°C to 48°C, containing various minerals and trace elements that provide significant therapeutic benefits for human health. The springs are categorized into four types: cold springs, warm springs, hot springs, and high-temperature springs, catering to travelers with different requests. 2.Natural scenery The scenic area is surrounded by pristine forests, alpine lakes, and volcanic remnants, offering distinct scenery in each season. Visitors can enjoy the snowy landscapes in winter, lush greenery in summer, golden hues in fall, and vibrant vitality in spring—providing a rich visual feast throughout the year. 3.Health and wellness Arxan Hot Spring features multiple hot spring sanatoriums and resorts, offering various wellness services including hot spring baths, mud therapy, and massages. Visitors can relax and rejuvenate while enjoying nature's gifts here. 4.Cultural Experiences The attraction also offers a variety of cultural activities, such as visiting the Volcano Museum and learning about local folk customs, providing visitors with opportunities to gain in-depth knowledge of Arxan's history and culture.Arxan · 1.3km from downtown
Aershan Lujiao Bay Camp Scenic Area
The exterior design of Lujiaowan Camp is unique. It is a high-value wild luxury boutique resort with hot spring experience, exquisite camping, parent-child entertainment, creative workshops, camp activities, Dining and retail, outdoor leisure, etc. The camp is fully equipped with a large outdoor parking lot and charging stations to provide convenience for self-driving RV travelers.Arxan · 3.6km from downtown
Experiences you can't miss in Arxan
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Free things to do in Arxan
Aershan National Forest Park
Arxan · 50.7km from downtownIce-free River
Arxan · 38km from downtownTuofengling Crater Lake
Zhalantun · 61.5km from ArxanArxan Tianchi Crater Lake
Arxan · 38.7km from downtownWuliquan
Arxan · 2.3km from downtownWusu Langzi Lake
Arxan · 32.8km from downtownShitanglin
Arxan · 46.7km from downtownThree Ponds Gorge
Arxan · 42.1km from downtownArxan Hot Spring
Arxan · 1.3km from downtownAershan Lujiao Bay Camp Scenic Area
Arxan · 3.6km from downtown
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What travellers say about Arxan
Anonymous user13 October 2026
5.0
The scenic area boasts beautiful scenery, fresh air, and a fantastic visitor experience! The trails are clean and easy to walk on, the signs are clear, and the staff are warm and courteous. The natural landscape is pristine, perfect for taking photos, and the facilities are complete. The entire trip is comfortable and offers great value for money, making it well worth a special trip. Highly recommended!
Aershan National Forest Park
M25***6422 September 2025
5.0
Located in Arxan City, Xing'an League, Inner Mongolia, the Arxan Unfrozen River is a 20-kilometer-long stretch of the Halaha River. Due to its abundant geothermal heat, the river never freezes even in temperatures as low as -40°C or even -50°C, earning it the name "Unfrozen River."
On a winter's blanket of snow, when everything seems tucked away in a tranquil slumber, a hidden gem quietly blossoms with its own unique vitality and energy—the magical Arxan Unfrozen River.
Ice-free River
云石雨15 September 2023
4.0
There are also two Tianchi in Arshan, one is Arshan Tianchi and the other is Tuofengling Tianchi. Tuofengling Tianchi is named after the shape of the mountain peak which resembles a camel hump. It is a crater lake and the deepest and clearest among the Tianchi in Arshan.
Tuofengling Crater Lake
麻辣小龙虾8 November 2025
4.0
There were very few people. I only saw two tourists on my way up. The Heavenly Lake was frozen over, covered with a layer of snow. I stood there quietly and looked around.
Arxan Tianchi Crater Lake
走遍天下XZ25 June 2021
4.0
Wuli Spring is located in the suburbs of Arxan City. It is named "Wuli Spring" because it is 2.5 kilometers away from the city center square. The spring water is clear and sweet, and the water temperature is very low. Drinking a few sips on a hot day is more suitable than eating cold drinks. The water source is free and open. Citizens come to collect water in large and small buckets. There is also a pipeline in the middle that leads to the mineral water factory inside. When you visit here, don't forget to bring an empty bottle! [Naughty]
Wuliquan
aleafleaf10 October 2021
5.0
I went there in mid-September last year, and the scenic area was still under construction. Photos 1-4 were taken early in the morning to see the morning fog at Wusu Langzi Lake. Photo 5 was taken at dusk, and the horses were happily eating grass.
Wusu Langzi Lake
沈福成30 June 2021
5.0
Day 22 of Northeast China Tour
Tianchi Lake in Arshan (1-3)
Visiting Shitang Forest in the Rain
Recalling Day 21 of Northeast China Tour
Tianchi Lake in Arshan Luofengling, Grand Canyon, Dujuan Lake, Sandie Gorge.
Shitanglin
chenweiwen18 July 2022
5.0
Santanxia is located 78 kilometers northeast of Arxan City, in the Tianchi Scenic Area, and is the upper reaches of the Halaha River, echoing the Tianchi Mountain in the distance. The riverbed is composed of rocks, and the turbulent Halaha River flows through the valley. The three pools of water, Woniu Pond, Hushi Pond and Yuexin Pond, are as smooth as a mirror, and there are bridges across the river.
Three Ponds Gorge
118***1711 March 2026
4.0
I visited many times 30 years ago. Back then, it was a purely natural landscape with a public hot spring sanatorium. I wonder what it's like now. How are Peony Lake and Cold Water Spring (5 Drops Pavilion) still? The natural scenery is unforgettable.
Arxan Hot Spring
M44***4813 August 2024
5.0
The environment in Lujiao Bay in Arshan is really great, the environment and facilities are good, and the service attitude of the staff is also good. It is a wonderful experience to come to Arshan and live in Lujiao Bay. I am very satisfied 😊
Aershan Lujiao Bay Camp Scenic Area
