Hulun Lake Inner Mongolia

Occupying an enormous 2339 sq km and one of China's largest freshwater lakes, Hulun Lake, called Dalai Nuur (Ocean Lake) in Mongolian, unexpectedly pops out of the grasslands like a colossal inland sea. Summer and early autumn are the best seasons to visit for the full colours of the grasslands. The lake is 47km southeast of Manzhouli; you'll need to get here by taxi (around ¥200 return from town).