Arxan in Inner Mongolia, a winter wonderland

Arxan, a small city located on the Sino-Mongolian border, in the far northeastern corner of Inner Mongolia autonomous region. With only 8,000 residents in its urban district, locals refer to it as China's smallest city. Arxan is widely known as having some of the purest land on earth by world tourism experts due to the area's clean air and unspoiled environment. There are over 160 kinds of edible potherbs, featuring unique local delicacies.

Arxan means "hot holy water" in the Mongolian language. Bestowed by nature, Arxan has rich natural resources, such as beautiful snow, hot springs, wetlands, a virgin forest, canyons, along with various rivers and lakes. Its spectacular seasonal landscape and mountains are just beyond word.

Arxan is a part of the most recommended travelling route, "China Inner Mongolia Arxan — Hailar — Manzhouli". It is also the joint of the four prairies across the Sino-Mongolian border. The beauty of Arxan is everlasting regardless of the changing of four seasons. Walking into Arxan, you will be amazed by a kaleidoscope of gorgeous colors all the year round -- the Spring azaleas blooming red in the snow, the Summer river wavering blue in the breeze, the Autumn leaves painted in yellow covering volcanic traces, and the Winter woods shining white on the vast alpine snow scenery.

You cannot miss out the Autumn of Arxan. It is definitely the best with brightly-colored scenery full of emotions. Autumn in the northern part of the country comes earlier than the south. A September rain followed by the footprints of autumn brings more colors to the once emerald green mountain and blooming grassland. When the silver birch turns golden, while the larch is still proudly green, visitors will find themselves drowned in the intoxicating red of the wild fruits as well as the glamour of flowers in full blown.

Arxan is also called China's Alps, and attracts a large number of ski lovers from around the world. Nestled at high latitude, the city has very long winters with hardly a summer season at all. It begins snowing in October, and the snow doesn't begin to melt until May the following year. Except for being the ideal ski resort, there are also many other winter sports you can take part in, like playing football on a snowfield or riding a motorcycle on the snow.