The most common route to Manzhouli is by train from Harbin, a journey of roughly 14 to 16 hours on overnight trains. The K7005/7006 overnight service is a standard option; soft-sleeper tickets should be booked in advance on Chinese train booking platforms. There is also a direct overnight service from Hailar (Hulunbuir), about three hours away, which is the regional capital and a useful stopover.
By air, Manzhouli has a small airport (NZH) with direct flights from Beijing, Harbin, and Hohhot. The airport is a few kilometres east of the city centre; taxis are available.
The Russian border crossing at Zabaikalsk is open for international travellers, though you will need a valid Russian visa arranged in advance. The border town of Zabaikalsk has onward rail connections to Chita and the Trans-Siberian network.