Hailar

Hailar (海拉尔 Hǎilā'ěr) is a city in Inner Mongolia Province in China.

Understand
The city was founded in 1734 as a Chinese garrison town, and has a population of around 200,000.

Hailar is a multi-ethnic town, with notable Han, Mongolian, Hui, Daur, Evenki, and Russian populations. As such, signs are usually bilingual.

Climate
Hailar has a dry, humid, humid summer, due to the East Asian monsoon. Winters are long, very dry and severe. Sunshine is abundant year-round. More than two-thirds of the annual rainfall occurs during the three summer months, June-August.

By train
Hailar's railway station is the penultimate major station before Manzhouli, the port city that stands close to the Russian border. It is on the Western line of the Trans-Siberian express route. Trains to Harbin take about 12 hours, and 27 to Beijing.

By road
Via China National Highway 301.

Get around
Hailar has frequent buses that cover the town.

Do
Hulunbuir Grasslands, said to be the best one in mainland China.

Eat
Try local food: lamb, bef by the bones, 1 kg minimum. Restaurant name: Qi Jian Fang 七间房 : ¥28/500g

Drink
Home to the great Hailaer Beer.

Budget

 * Dong Fang Business Hotel (东方商务宾馆, 24 East two St Hailar district, Hulun Buir City (呼伦贝尔市海拉尔区东二道街24号). Clean, large room with computer: ¥120