Let's Go to the Reindeer's Homeland This Season
In the depths of the Daxinganling Forest lies a small town where hunting and raising reindeer are the mainstays – this is theruguya Enkhta Mongol Ethnic Township. Almost every household raises reindeer, and in winter, you can often see reindeer dashing along the town's streets on sleds. The winter scenery ofruguya is stunningly covered in silver, and as the reindeer pass by, it feels like a scene from a fairy tale, making you feel like Santa Claus might appear at any moment.
This season, people rarely come here.
The last tribe of reindeer hunters in China – theruguya Enkhta Mongol hunters – migrate and build ‘turogi’ (trogirs), isn’t it exciting?
‘Turogi’ (trogirs) means ‘Xilaozhu’ in the Enkhta Mongol language. It’s a cone-shaped structure about 3 meters high and about 4 meters in diameter, built simply from pine poles. The covering of the turogi changes with the seasons; in summer, it’s typically covered with birch bark, and in winter, it's wrapped in deer or elk hides.
This animal has a strong physique, most commonly white and brown in color, is very resistant to the cold, and is well-suited to living in high-altitude areas.
Reindeer antlers resemble neither antlers nor antlers, their heads resemble horses, their feet resemble oxen, and their bodies resemble donkeys, so they are commonly called ‘four-like animals.’ The characteristics of reindeer include: they are gentle in nature, easy to raise and graze, feed on moss and other wild plants, and are known as ‘ships of the forest.’
Wandering through the pure and quiet birch forests, freely roaming in the sea of snow and ice, experiencing a unique lifestyle, and feeling the unity of heaven and man with the reindeer-herding tribes...
Transportation Guide:
ruguya, the reindeer town, is located about 17 kilometers north of Man Gui Town in Renhe City, Hulunbu League. It is accessible by S301 Provincial Road.
The most convenient way for self-driving travelers is to fly to Hailar and then take a bus from Hailar to Renhe, and from Renhe take a taxi or hire a car to go toruguya.
To reach the reindeer town, it takes 6:47 to take train 6562 from Hailar, arriving at Itu River at 14:45, then transfer to train 6583 departing at 15:11, arriving at Man Gui at 20:20, then it takes a 30-minute drive by taxi or hired car to reachruguya.
Tips:
1. Best Season: May to July is the peak season, when you can see reindeer and horn cutting, and theruguya has authentic Enkhta Mongol songs and dances, and you can participate in a bonfire party with the Enkhta Mongol hunters. However, winter is the most livable season for Enkhta Mongol reindeer herders, and at this time,ruguya is a silver-covered ice and snow world, and the hunters light a fire, allowing you to experience the production and life of the Enkhta Mongol people.
2. Ticket Price: 60 yuan
ruguya Enkhta Mongol Hunting Culture Museum: 20 yuan
Primitive Tribe: 20 yuan
Wooden House Resort: 20 yuan
3. Opening Hours: 8:00-17:30
3.8:00-17:30
