Forests: Inner Mongolia's palette

Inner Mongolia has the largest forest area of any province in China. Its 20 million hectares of forest include the virgin forest of the Greater Khingan Range and 11 secondary forest areas scattered across the region. From birch to apricot, poplar to sea buckthorn, and Korean pine to Caragana, the rich variety of trees in Inner Mongolia's forests creates a diverse plant community. The colors of the flowers in spring, the leaves in fall, and the green of summer and white of winter make this land the perfect palette. The Greater Khingan Range is the most important destination for forest tours in Inner Mongolia. You can take a short trip to Hailar National Forest Park or Jiagedaqi Beishan Forest Park, or you can venture deep into the virgin forest to listen to the waves in Moerdaoga, Yikesama, or Honghuaerji Korean Pine National Forest Parks. You can get close to the water in the Ergun and Genheyuan Wetland Parks, or strike a pose in the birch forest scenic area in Labudalin. The small town of Arxan in Hinggan League is located in a branch of the Greater Khingan Range. This county-level city has two national forest parks: Arxan and Haosengou. The neighboring Chaihe has a similar volcanic landscape to Arxan. If you visit in fall, don't miss Bailang Peak in Arxan and the Daqintala Wujiaofeng Ecological Scenic Area in Horqin Right Wing Middle Banner. Further south, there are more places to enjoy the fall colors in Chifeng, such as Daoxugou in Ningcheng and Meirengu in Harqin Banner. Keshiketeng in Chifeng is a holy land for self-driving travelers and photography enthusiasts. The geopark has a rich and diverse landscape. From Dalinuoer Lake, the grassland gradually transitions to forest in the northeast, passing through Baiyin Aobao Sandy Spruce and Huanggangliang Forest Farm. Head south through the Xilamulun Canyon to Wulan Butong. Wucaishan and Huashugou have great fall scenery, while Panlong Canyon, Hanshan Forest Farm in Aohan Banner, Saihanwula in Bairin Right Banner, and Yaoluhairihan Mountain in Xilingol's West Ujimqin Banner are all scenic areas that combine grassland and forest.