Hinggan (Xing'an)Travel Guide

Chinese Name: 兴安盟 (xīng ān méng)
Population: 1,639,300
Area: 59,806 square kilometers (20,391 square miles)
Location: in the northeast of Inner Mongolia, north China
Administrative Division: 1 county (Tuquan); 3 banners (Keerqin Youyi Qian Banner, Keerqin Youyi Zhong Banner, Zhalaite Banner); 2 county-level cities (Wulanhot, Aershan)
Area Code: 0482
Zip Code: 137400
GDP (2018): CNY 47.248 billion (USD 7.140 billion)
Nationalities: Mongol, Han, Man, Chaoxian, Hui

Hinggan, also Xing'an, is situated in the northeastern area of the Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region in the neighborhood of Heilongjiang, Jilin, Mongolia to the northeast, southeast and northwest. Within Inner Mongolia, it neighbors Tongliao, Xilingol and Hulunbeier. Hinggan has vast grasslands, green and lush forests and broad wetlands. Forest landscape of the Daxing'anling Mountains and Qarsan (Chaersen) National Forest Park, strong flavor of Mongol ethnic minority in Keerqin Grassland and Genghis Khan Temple show the best natural and historical beauty of Hinggan. The best time to visit Hinggan is from June to August.

Hinggan is rich in tourist resources. Forest landscape of the Daxing'anling Mountains and Qarsan (Chaersen) National Forest Park, strong flavor of Mongol ethnic minority in Keerqin Grassland and Genghis Khan Temple show the best natural and historical beauty of Hinggan.

Aershan, aka Arxan, is a city with perfect volcanoes and hot springs, which form the picturesque Aershan National Geopark. Arxan National Forest Park, the core tourist area of the geopark, has dense primeval forests and various volcano relics. The Heavenly Lake in the park is a crater lake formed by a volcano and ranks in the top six heavenly lakes in China. In winter, the Aershan Skiing Resort is an excellent destination.Ulanqab Airport is 17 kilometers (11 miles) northwest of the city proper, with direct flights to Beijing and Hohhot. Baicheng (in Jilin) to Aershan and Tongliao to Hulinhe railways pass through Hinggan. National Highways No.111 and 302 run through the league from the south to the north. In the seat of the league government, Wulanhot City, the bus station can be found in East Xingqiao Street.

Hinggan enjoys a temperate monsoon climate with an annual average temperature of 4-6 C (39.2-42.8 F). It has cool short summer (about two months) and chilly long winter (five to six months). Precipitation becomes more common during June to August.
 
 When to Go: April to October is the most favourable time to visit Hinggan. 

 History: Before the Tang (618-907) Court established three government offices to administrate this area, it was inhabited by nomad tribes of Donghu and Xianbei. Hinggan is Manchu for hills, and it gained its name for its location in the middle of the Daxing'anling Mountains.
 
 Physical Features: Hinggan is situated in the transition area from the Daxing'anling Mountains to the Songnen Plain. Mountainous and hilly areas make up ninety-five percent of its total land area. From the northwest to the southeast, there are medium mountains, low mountains, hills and plains distributed in descending order.
 
 Special Local Products: deer antler, bitter almond, black melon seed, edible fungus, dairy, ornaments and handcrafst of the Mongol ethnic minority (Mongolian knife, carpet, cap)