• From Palaces to the Grassland: A Journey into Inner Mongolia

    ★★★★★

    4.9/5 476 Latest reviews

    Tour Code: ODY-CN-2605

    Destination:Guilin, Yangshuo

    Destination:Beijing, Inner Mongolia

Duration

7 Days

Tour Type

Private & Bespoke

Tour Style

Classic

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About This Trip

This 7-day journey offers a seamless blend of Beijing’s historical grandeur and the vast, open landscapes of Inner Mongolia. Begin by exploring the city’s iconic sites, from the serene courtyards of the Temple of Heaven to the majestic halls of the Forbidden City. Travel beyond the urban core to Mutianyu Great Wall, where panoramic vistas and ancient watchtowers bring to life the country’s rich heritage.

Heading north, experience the dramatic landscapes of Ulanhada Volcano Geopark and the expansive Huitengxile Grassland. Stay in traditional Mongolian yurts and gain insight into nomadic culture through hands-on experiences. The adventure continues with visits to Hohhot’s cultural highlights and the unique singing sand dunes of Xiangshawan, where natural beauty meets light adventure.

Itinerary Summary

DAYPLACEHIGHLIGHTS
1BeijingArrival & Leisure Time
2BeijingTemple of Heaven, Mutianyu Great Wall
3Beijing – UlanqabForbidden City, Hutong
4Ulanqab – GrasslandUlanhada Volcano Geopark, Grassland Stay, Mongolian Yurt
5Grassland – HohhotPrairie Experience, Nomadic Culture, Dazhao Temple
6HohhotXiangshawan Desert
7HohhotDeparture
Quick Question

Itinerary

Touch down in Beijing, where your guide and driver will meet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel. Settle in, refresh after your journey, and take a moment to enjoy the city’s bustling atmosphere from your hotel window before the adventure begins.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

Begin at the Temple of Heaven, where you stroll through open courtyards and observe locals going about their morning routines beneath ancient cypress trees. The round Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests rises majestically with its vivid tiles and painted eaves, standing in elegant contrast to the surrounding greenery.

In the afternoon, take a scenic drive to the Mutianyu Great Wall. Take a cable car up to the wall, then walk along its restored stone path, climbing watchtowers that offer sweeping views of wooded hills and valleys. The Wall stretches into the distance, offering a sense of the scale and history of this ancient fortification.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

Begin the day at the Forbidden City, where you walk through grand courtyards, golden rooftops, and intricate architectural details that bring to life imperial China. The quieter inner palaces offer a more intimate glimpse of court life.

Continue into a traditional hutong neighbourhood, where narrow lanes wind between courtyard homes and small local shops. Pause for a Peking-style tea break in a courtyard, with gaiwan tea or coffee and a selection of refined local pastries.

In the afternoon, transfer to the railway station and board a high-speed train to Ulanqab. The journey takes approximately 2-2.5 hours, with the landscape opening into wide northern plains.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

Visit Ulanhada Volcano Geopark, where volcanic cones, crater basins, and dark lava fields shape a stark, otherworldly landscape. Walk along rugged trails and take in the raw textures of this ancient terrain. For a playful contrast, you may even don a spacesuit-style outfit for photos, capturing the park’s surreal, almost lunar scenery.

Continue to Huitengxile Grassland, a drive of approximately 2-2.5 hours, where open meadows stretch to the horizon beneath wide skies. Upon arrival, a traditional welcome offers a first taste of grassland hospitality, with cultural touches woven naturally into the experience. Settle into a Mongolian yurt and enjoy the quiet rhythm of the prairie as the day winds down.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

Spend the morning on the grassland, where you can ride across open plains or take a relaxed walk through the wide, open landscape. A short hands-on activity of felt-making offers a glimpse into traditional nomadic crafts and daily life.

In the afternoon, travel by car to Hohhot, a drive of approximately 1.5-2 hours. Explore Dazhao Temple, a Lamaist monastery with vivid murals, ornate carvings, and a serene atmosphere that reflects centuries of devotion.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

Start the day with a simple local breakfast, sampling Qingcheng-style shaomai and brick tea, offering a glimpse into the region’s everyday flavors.

Journey to Xiangshawan, the “Singing Sand Bay,” where rolling dunes create a landscape of shifting gold and soft light. A cable car ride brings you across the sands, opening onto a wide desert setting where the dunes stretch into the distance. You may choose to explore different areas of the desert at your own pace, whether walking along the ridgelines or enjoying light activities set among the dunes.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

Conclude your journey as your guide and driver escort you to Hohhot Baita International Airport. Reflect on the variety of landscapes and experiences.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

Why Choose Inner Mongolia Jiuhong Travel Service Co., Ltd.

12-Year TripAdvisor Award

Travellers’ Choice winner every year since 2013

No Commission Shopping

Zero shopping stops, zero pressure, zero hidden agendas

100% Private

Every tour is exclusively yours — no strangers, no shared buses

Expert Local Guides

Licensed, English-speaking guides with deep local knowledge

Real reviews from real travellers

  • u003cemu003eu003cemu003eI highly recommend Inner Mongolia Jiuhong Travel Service Co., Ltd. The team is very easy to work with, has excellent ideas and the guides are knowledgeable and easy to be with. Very solid itineraries and execution — flexible, high quality, and great value for money.u003c/emu003eu003c/emu003e
    James T.
    Verified · TripAdvisor
  • u003cemu003eu003cemu003eWe visited both Xi’an and Shanghai under Jiuhong’s arrangement and received the same first-class service in both cities. The guides were knowledgeable, flexible, and happy to discuss all aspects of modern China — giving insights difficult to obtain elsewhere. Strongly recommended.u003c/emu003eu003c/emu003e
    Greenfly
    Couples · Verified · TripAdvisor
  • u003cemu003eu003cemu003eWe had a wonderful action-packed day. Fei Fei was amazing — her knowledge was very impressive and she was a real pleasure to be with. This was certainly the highlight of our stay in this beautiful city. Thanks so much.u003c/emu003eu003c/emu003e
    Ludovic V.
    Couples · London, UK · Verified · TripAdvisor

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