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the Degree Confluence Project
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China : Nèi Měnggǔ Zìzhìqū (Inner Mongolia)

near Ih Hurgalj, Nèi Měnggǔ, China
Approx. altitude: 577 m (1893 ft)
([?] maps: Google MapQuest OpenStreetMap ConfluenceNavigator)
Antipode: 49°S 63°W

Accuracy: 7 m (22 ft)
Quality: good

Click on any of the images for the full-sized picture.

#2: South #3: West #4: North #5: GPS #6: Happy Line Hunters #7: The nearby household #8: The horse carts by the Confleunce household #9: The China-Russian border at Manzhouli - the Chinese border marker and Russian watch tower #10: A park in Manzhouli - Notice the Russian influence ?

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  49°N 117°E  

#1: General view and looking toward the East - CP 50 meters away

(visited by Yip-Bannicq Group, Wang Jinzhu, Wei Xiaoyu, Sha Li, Han Yong, Gao Jianwei, Button Zhao and Ray Yip)

21-Aug-2006 -- 49N – 117E Hulunbaier (呼伦贝尔), Inner Mongolia (内蒙古), China

Line Hunting Date: August 21, 2006

The 3rd Confluence Hunt in the Ultimate Grassland

On day 3 of our visit to Hulunbaier, our host arranged a group trip (40 people) to Manzhouli (满洲里), a major crossing point between China and Russia. From Hailaer (海拉尔) city, this was a 250 km drive and the route came close to 3 confluence points. 49N 119E would require a 50 km detour and it would be hard to mobilize all 40 people. The other one, 49N 118E located just across the border in Mongolia so that was out of the question. According to the map, this particular point located within 4-5 km from our route and appeared to be feasible for a hunt and still can catch up with the main group on a large bus.

Most the drive for this trip was crossing boundless grassland – an amazing sight. We were treated to a special Mongolian lunch by the shore of Hulun (呼伦) lake which connects with a smaller Baier (贝尔) lake inside Mongolia. The combination of the names of these two lakes gave the name of Hulunbaier (呼伦贝尔) for this region which sandwiched between Russia and Mongolia. During the trip, we stopped by the river connecting these two lakes. According to the local legion, washing with the water of this river will assure lasting love with one’s lover. According to the same legion, Hulun and Baier were lovers from heaven and now the river keeps them connected.

This confluence point located about 5 km from the Hulun lake shore, and about 40 km north from the spot where we had lunch. After lunch, we headed north and found the confluence point only 800 meters from the highway we were on – a pleasant surprise. We found a turn off nearby and drove within 350 meters before we abandoned the van.

The area near the confluence point is a mixture of sandy ground and grassland with many patch of wild flowers. Two first-time hunters were very happy to reach the point and also amazed by the ease of the hunt.

The entire detour for the hunt took about 25 minutes with plenty of time for picture taking. There is a single household located about 450 meters from the confluence point only two very large dogs were around and they were not happy to see us.

We caught up with the other bus with the main group at the border crossing point in Manzhouli (a tourist attraction). On the street of Manzhouli, there were more Russian shoppers than Chinese. We were treated to a Russian dinner with free flow of Vodka. A good way to celebrate a fun day with a nice little hunt to boot.

Rating of this hunt :

Degree of Challenge:

1 – Next to the main highway and an easy walk up (1= very easy - drive to the point; to 5= a death march – glad it is over)

Scenery:

3 – A mixture of small sandy flats and grassland (Scale: 1= not interesting at all; 5= take your breath away)

Culture-social factors:

3 – An area with strong Mongolian and Russian influence (Scale: 1=dull; 5= most stimulating)


 All pictures
#1: General view and looking toward the East - CP 50 meters away
#2: South
#3: West
#4: North
#5: GPS
#6: Happy Line Hunters
#7: The nearby household
#8: The horse carts by the Confleunce household
#9: The China-Russian border at Manzhouli - the Chinese border marker and Russian watch tower
#10: A park in Manzhouli - Notice the Russian influence ?
ALL: All pictures on one page