Hulunbuir Grasslands, Inner Mongolia, 2013/07
Photos from our 2013 trip to the Hulunbuir Grasslands in Inner Mongolia.
Once a year we head north to the grasslands of Inner Mongolia for a long trip that takes us on a tour of the grasslands, wetlands, and small towns on the border of China and Russia.
This year we had great weather, with big blue skies over the wildflowers and green grasslands.
We started off in Hailar, and headed north through the grasslands on the way up to some of the small towns on the border of China and Russia. These towns contain an interesting mix of Russian and Chinese culture, with log houses and big loaves of proper bread some of the examples of Russian influence.
Later on the trip we stayed over in Manzhouli, China’s biggest land border crossing and a hotspot for cross-border trade.
A local herdsman in traditional costume.
Group photo – hikers and our local friend.
A horse-and-carriage track through the wide grassland.
Bright yellow canola flowers.
A hilltop view of the endless grassland and winding rivers.
Quiet and peaceful prairie view near sunset.
The winding and clear river in the wetlands.
Another view of the wetlands.
The moon above the walkway through the grasslands.
Getting even closer to nature.
View of canola flower fields under a fantastically clear sky.
Large area of wild canola flowers.
Blooming wildflowers.
We hiked through the grasslands.
Wild flowers lined our hiking route.
Swinging at a Russian-style home near the border of Russia and Inner Mongolia.
A young boss selling big loaves of fresh bread.
Herding dairy cattle on the pastures.
Hikers enjoying the refreshing breeze.
Simple kitchen in one of the border villages.
Livestock grazing beside a clear lake.
Endless grassland under a blue sky.
The river marks the border Inner Mongolia and Russia.
The horses were sent into the lake to cool down.
Cooling down in the lake.
We took a spin in a speedboat.
The herdsmen had to borrow the boat to get their horses back!