Nestled in the eastern part of the Inner Mongolia autonomous region, the city of Arxan is celebrated not only for its rolling mountain ranges but also for its hot springs and spectacular winter landscapes.

Arxan's unique geology and topography create layered, panoramic scenery. When the first snow falls, the golden forests are draped in thick white. As the sun sets, the lingering sunglow lengthens the trees' shadows, casting a second golden forest across the snowy ground. Across a seven-month snow season, Arxan becomes a dreamlike kingdom of ice and snow.

Thanks to abundant geothermal activity, the area also produces a remarkable winter phenomenon—the "Unfrozen River" section of the Khaikhyn Gol River. Even in bitter cold, this roughly 20-kilometer stretch flows continuously and never freezes.

In deep winter, the warm river water rises in mist, and riverside trees are coated in crystalline frost, their icy branches gleaming like jade in sunlight. Lush aquatic plants thrive in the river, and each morning local herders bring their cattle and sheep here to drink and graze.

Beyond admiring this ethereal scenery, visitors can drift on the Unfrozen River and immerse themselves in Arxan's glacial world. Floating downstream, you're surrounded by snow-clad banks, as if gliding through a pristine, ice-pure winter scroll.

Recommended route

"Meet in Northern Frontier · Delight in the Snowfields" — Premium Ice & Snow Tourism Route

Key stops: Xing'an (Hinggan) League → Arxan City → Ewenki Autonomous Banner, HulunBuir City → Hailar District → Chenbaerhu (Chen Barag) Banner → Yakeshi City → Zhalantun City

Highlights along the route: Arxan National Forest Park, the Unfrozen River, and more.