Hiding on the northwest corner of the Xing’an League in an autonomous region of North China’s inner Mongolia, Arxan ranks as the “smallest city” of population, with only 28,600 residents, it has a disproportionate impact on tourism and cultural exchange.
Once a distant border town, Arxan has transformed in recent years into a visitor magnet painted by its natural natural beauty and commitment to sustainable development. The unique combination of volcanoes, crater lakes, vast forests and thermal springs has gained a reputation as a “healing destination” especially among travelers from nearby Mongolia.
For O Adiya, Mongolian businessman and president of the Chamber of Commerce in Donod, Mongolia, Arxan stands out among the many places he has visited in China.
“The natural scenery is absolutely breathtaking. For many Mongols, Alksan is the ideal destination,” he said.
Located on the southwestern slopes of the Large Kingan Mountains, Alksan offers a rare convergence of forest and grassland civilization. Visitors can hike through dense forests, stroll through the grasslands, and marvel at dramatic rock formations and snowy peaks. In winter, naturally heated mineral springs with a variety of temperatures and therapeutic properties become particularly popular.
“Every year, many Mongol tourists enter through the Alksan border port,” said Tan Singh, deputy director of the border inspection team at the city’s immigration inspection station. Beyond shopping, most visitors are looking for natural scenery and therapeutic springs, Tang added.
“In September we have a peak landscape, when the forest burns in colour like a very unique palette of nature,” he said.
Local businesses have seized the opportunity to coordinate their experiences with cross-border visitors. Local tourism service provider Fu Lihong has developed a customized wellness package with hot springs and traditional treatments.
“Mongolians value traditional Mongolian medicine, which recognizes the health benefits of heat springs and medicinal baths,” explained Fu. “This will promote the popularity of Arxan’s geothermal resorts.”
To accommodate the growing number of visitors, Arxan Border Port is open for eight months per season, but this year it operates all year round.
Arxan’s development is rooted in greater change. A city that previously was a major timber industry hub, but after China’s national natural forest conservation programme came into effect, it pivoted on ecological conservation. Today, forest coverage exceeds 80% and vegetation exceeds 95%, so Arxan is a biodiversity shelter and ecotourism model. Utilizing a robust green industry, Arxan is fostering an outwardly ecological culture.
The city’s lush forests also provide a safe haven for local wildlife. Winter visitors may find Mongol gazelles, red deer and egg deer wandering along forest paths.
Environmental cooperation is the basis of the forex between the Xing’an League and the nearby Dornod. As Mongolia advances its campaign to plant 1 billion trees, cold-resistant, high-rise-rate tree species native to the large Kingyan Mountains, such as spruce and larch, have emerged as an ideal planting option.
“Building an eco-friendly homeland is a common aspiration between China and Mongolia,” said Xiao Cuiyan, Foreign Affairs Director of Xing’an League. “The resilient trees in the larger Kingyan Mountains have become “friendship envoys” that represent both ecological hope and cultural ties. ”
According to Xiao, the league is actively partnering with Mongolian partners to provide seedlings and expertise, with the goal of planting these green seeds in Mongolian grasslands.
Located at the intersection of China, Mongolia and Russia, Alksan has long served as a gateway to cultural exchange. With a rich history of cross-border interaction, the Xing’an League remains a fertile basis for people’s relationships. In recent years, various major events and cultural exchanges have been held, including China-Mongolia-Russian Culture and Arts Week, regional basketball tournaments, and Mongolian long song performances.
“China, Russia and Mongolia are neighbors connected by mountains and rivers. We share a common future and a long-standing friendship,” Xiao said. “Here at Xing’an, the most beautiful scenery lies not only in nature, but in the spirit of openness, inclusion and harmony.”
Hwang Wei, Jiang Bo, Woo Yong, Tian Liang (People’s Daily)