The Hulunbuir grasslands are at their best from late June through August, when the steppe is green and temperatures are warm (typically 20–25°C). July is the prime month for grassland travel: the wildflowers are out, the grass is at maximum height, and the long daylight hours mean evening rides and bonfires are possible without a cold coat. The Naadam festival — horse racing, wrestling, archery — takes place across the region in July and is worth timing a visit around.
September is excellent for colour: the birch forests turn gold and the wetland birdwatching at Irguna is at its peak during autumn migration. Winters in Hulunbuir are genuinely severe — Hailar regularly records temperatures below minus 30°C, and minus 40°C is not unknown. The city functions normally in winter (residents are accustomed to the cold), but grassland travel is impossible and most rural facilities are closed from November through April.