Do you know where Arxan is? It’s the most dreamlike forest park in China｜Full Documentary

Do you know where Arxan is? It’s the most dreamlike forest park in China｜Full Documentary

Arxan（Aershan） is located in the northeastern part of China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region It lies more than 1,300 kilometers from Beijing Arxan Forest Park is a national forest park that blends volcanic landforms with alpine lakes Covering 103,149 hectares, the park requires shuttle buses to reach its many small sights There are two bus routes—Route 1 (long) and Route 2 (short)—both boarding at the Tianchi Service Area We’ll first head to the far end of Route 1: the Grand Canyon Buses run from 08:00 to 17:00 Departures leave Tianchi Service Area roughly every ten minutes If you plan to see everything, start at the Grand Canyon Then ride back stop by stop to the Tianchi Service Area The Grand Canyon is 11 km long and forms a W‑shape from south to north It was carved from Pleistocene basalt lava flows by water erosion over thousands of years Unmanned stalls let you pay simply by scanning a code Even in midsummer, Arxan’s mornings and evenings are pleasantly cool Follow the boardwalk all the way down to the valley floor Pikas live among the rocks—if you’re lucky you’ll spot them A stream flows along the valley bottom Dahurian larch Is that a red‑ant nest? So many ants—my trypophobia is kicking in… We spotted a pika! Didn’t dare get closer for fear of scaring it away Tuofeng（Camelback） Ridge Tianchi is the largest and deepest of Arxan’s Tianchi lakes From above it resembles a footprint left by a giant A screen at the entrance shows a negative‑ion count of 10,191 It even measures the last digits—impressive 👍 Over 600 steps must be climbed to reach the lake Finally made it up here This platform isn’t the highest, so only part of the lake is visible Red ribbons are free; write your name and tie one to a tree They symbolize wishes for peace and good fortune Mountain wildflowers are in full bloom Lightning‑struck wood Seven‑color floating lava “Song Tour • Inner Mongolia” Rhododendron Lake is the easiest of the small sights to walk around No climbing is needed to enjoy its beauty Even on video it’s breathtaking The lake formed when lava blocked a river valley during an eruption Its surface area is 128 hectares Named for the rhododendrons that bloom here each spring Shitanglin is a lava wonder from Quaternary eruptions Mosses, shrubs, even forests grow atop the rocks Its many pools give it the name “Stone Pond Forest” A symbiosis of rock and forest A silent testimony to life carved by time Still water, still mind “Underground Dark River” Birch trees symbolize vitality, resilience, purity, and nobility Their tenacity is amazing—they grow even from lava Dahurian larch Though fallen, they still nourish new life The lake surface is like a mirror Lava tumulus It really does look like a “flower bun” Here’s another lava tumulus Heading back to Tianchi Service Area to take Route 2 A sightseeing helicopter is being tested at the service area Boarding the Route 2 bus to Tianchi Arxan Tianchi gleams like a jewel set in Tianchi Ridge Its surface is about 13.8 hectares, oval in shape Its elevation ranks third highest among China’s Tianchi lakes Arxan Tianchi sits even higher than the last lake You must climb 998 steps to see it Honest thought: wouldn’t sleeping at home and watching TV be nicer? Completely worn out 😭 Finally… finally… we’re here The view almost makes the fatigue disappear Years ago, when driving here was allowed, I shot a sunrise and the morning mist That beauty is unforgettable to this day Santan Gorge lies in the upper Halaha River It forms where the river resurfaces after flowing 10 km underground beneath Shitanglin Inside are Yuexin, Tiger‑Rock, and Lying‑Ox Pools—hence “Three‑Pool Gorge” “Friendly Tree” A beautiful little butterfly A green corridor It’s wonderfully cool under the shade Birch trees Their bark ignites easily—an excellent fire‑starter Standing deadwood Dahurian larch The forest breeze carries a faint scent of pine Finally, let’s enjoy Arxan’s morning mist and sunset At 8 a.m., Wusulangzi Lake is still wrapped in a thin veil of mist A light rain falls, creating an ethereal scene It’s as if the forest won’t wake and the lake won’t speak Gray‑blue sky; distant hills half hidden by cloud On such a moist, quiet morning The world feels as though it’s on pause Waiting for the rain to finish its whispering Wusulangzi Lake is a volcanic dam lake formed 300 thousand years ago It lies along the road from the park gate to the Tianchi Service Area Legend tells of a Qing‑era youth named Wusu, a superb swimmer nicknamed “Free‑roaming Wusu” Guided by a dream, he diverted water to aid his people, then vanished into the mountains Before leaving, he sprinkled sacred water into the valley, forming today’s Wusulangzi Lake The Budong River (literally “Unfreezing River”) is part of the upper Halaha River It never freezes, so locals call it the “Unfreezing River” Our two‑day trip through Arxan Forest Park is ending The forest’s calm, the murmuring lake, the gentle rain—all linger in our hearts Though crowded, these woods remain composed and serene We’ll come back if we can To hear the wind and water again, and see Arxan in other seasons Next stop: Zhalantun city We now know the 285 km ahead will take over seven hours to drive 😭 We didn’t reach our destination until nearly 1 a.m. It was truly an unforgettable experience After meeting this herd of cattle, the road only got worse A long mountain lane, pitch‑black and deserted, with no alternate route One cow stood firmly in the middle of the road As if warning us of what lay ahead We missed the hint and drove around it, pressing on Next week we’ll share more from this journey See you next time, friends!

Volcanic lakes. Mist-shrouded forests. Streams that never freeze.This is a journey through the serene and expansive landscapes of Arxan.
Filmed over the course of two days in Arxan National Forest Park, this video captures the park’s most iconic routes and attractions:
📍 The Grand Canyon, nestled beneath ancient volcanic cliffs
📍 Camel Peak Tianchi, shaped like a giant’s footprint, and Arxan Tianchi, a sparkling alpine gem
📍 Dujuan Lake (Azalea Lake), easily enjoyed without hiking
📍 Shitanglin, a rare forest growing atop lava flows
📍 The legendary Unfrozen River and WusuLangzi Lake, veiled in morning mist
The entire journey was filmed without narration—just on foot and by shuttle bus—capturing Arxan’s natural rhythm through pure visuals. You’ll also find practical travel information such as:
🚌 Sightseeing bus routes
🗺️ Recommended walking and filming order
Whether you’re planning a trip to Arxan or simply looking to escape the noise for a moment of quiet, let this northern forest draw you in.

💡 About Arxan
Arxan (full name: Harun Arxan) means “hot holy water” in Mongolian. It’s located in northeastern Inner Mongolia, China, at the southwestern foothills of the Greater Khingan Mountains. This transitional zone between forest and grassland lies at the crossroads of four vast grasslands—Hulunbuir, Horqin, Xilingol, and Mongolia—offering diverse and dramatic landscapes.

【Chapters】
00:00 Moments of quiet beauty
02:00 The Grand Canyon — a deep gorge amidst the ancient forest
11:30 Tuofeng Ridge Tianchi — The Footprint of a Giant
18:27 Serene Rhododendron Lake
21:14 Shitanglin — Forests on Volcanic Lava
30:43 Aershan Tianchi — A Gem in the Mountains
35:25 The Joyful Song of Water — Santan Gorge
47:44 Wusulangzi Lake in the Morning Mist
50:46 Summer reflections on the Unfrozen River
53:08 Farewell, Arxan — Until We Meet Again