Active Chinese Adventure in Beijing & Inner Mongolia - 12 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Beijing, Explore China's Capital at Leisure

Welcome to the vibrant capital of China, Beijing! Meet your driver outside the airport and transfer to your hotel to check in and get settled. Then, decide between staying in and fighting off your jet lag or venturing out to discover the area on your own. If you want to explore, a good place to start is the Beijing Botanical Garden for a relaxed stroll through the sprawling garden featuring themed areas, like a tropical rainforest and aquatic garden with lotus ponds. Don't miss the different greenhouses showcasing exotic plants and a research center dedicated to botanical conservation. 

As darkness falls, make your way to Wangfujing Street, a bustling pedestrian thoroughfare renowned for its blend of historical charm and modern attractions. Pop in and out of the eclectic mix of shops, stop at historic sites like St. Joseph's Church, and indulge in street food for dinner. Sample beloved dishes like skewered meat, tea-smoked duck, or steamed buns filled with meat or vegetables. End the night with a sweet treat of tanghulu, fruit skewers dipped in a hard sugar coating, before returning to your hotel. 

Day 2: Explore the Forbidden City & Beijing's Hutongs

Join your guide on a tour of Beijing this morning, starting at Tiananmen Square, the world's largest public square. Follow your guide across the massive space, looking out at the Monument to the People's Heroes, the National Museum of China, and the Mao Zedong Mausoleum until you reach the northern end of the square, where you can enter the Forbidden City. This UNESCO-listed complex served as the imperial residence for nearly five centuries, housing 24 emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties.

Explore the expansive courtyards, meticulously designed halls, pavilions, and gardens. Don't miss the intricate details of the palace's architecture, like the iconic yellow roofs and ornate dragon carvings. In the afternoon, stroll through some of Beijing's hutongs (narrow streets or alleys lined with traditional homes) to learn about the locals' way of life. As you weave through the charming neighborhoods, watch as residents shop at local markets, visit small temples, and meander through the streets. End the day with a delicious peking duck, renowned for its crispy skin and tender meat.

Day 3: Visit the Mutianyu Section of the Great Wall & Changling Tomb 

One landmark you can't miss when you visit China is the iconic Great Wall, built over 2,000 years ago, starting in the seventh century BCE. Transfer one hour to the Mutianyu section of the wall, renowned for its well-preserved watchtowers and fortifications, so you can better understand its strategic importance during ancient times. Then, ascend the stone steps and walk along the wall, enjoying panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. The trek ranges from two to six hours, depending on the route you and your guide choose. 

After exploring the wall, head back down to the Changling Tomb, one of many Ming tombs in the Changping district. This one, in particular, is the tomb of Emperor Zhudi, who played a pivotal role in establishing the Ming dynasty and his Empress Xushi. To enter the tomb's main hall, traverse the Sacred Way, flanked by carved stone statues and dense foliage. Explore the burial chamber inside and pay your respects to the emperor and empress while you learn more about their contributions to China's rich history. From here, return to your hotel in Beijing.

Day 4: Leisurely Tour of the Summer Palace & Temple of Heaven

Set off on one last tour of Beijing's landmarks, starting at the UNESCO-listed Temple of Heaven, built in the 15th century so emperors could pray for good harvests and divine favor. The complex spans 657 acres (267 ha) and comprises several structures, including the iconic Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, home to a triple-tiered circular structure that stands as the complex's centerpiece. Take a walk across the expansive grounds adorned with jaw-dropping gates, pavilions, and cypress trees. Then, head to the Summer Palace, nestled on the shores of Kunming Lake.

Discover the intricately designed halls, pavilions, and temples to understand the opulence enjoyed by emperors during the Qing dynasty. Enter the Longevity Hall for panoramic views of the glittering lake and the surrounding gardens, then head outside to see it all up close. Stroll over traditional bridges, including the beautiful Seventeen-Arch Bridge, to see the colorful pagodas dotting the landscape. After exploring the palace on foot, switch to a boat to sail across the lake and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding hills, historic bridges, and iconic pavilions, such as the Marble Boat.

Day 5: Transfer to Ulanqab, Enjoy a Free Afternoon

Say goodbye to Beijing this morning as you transfer four hours northwest to Ulanqab in the Chinese region of Inner Mongolia. Try to snag a window seat on the drive so you can watch the urban landscape transform into rolling grasslands and expansive desert landscapes. Along the way, you may also notice traditional Mongolian yurts and local farms. When you arrive, check in at your hotel and relax after the long drive, or venture out to explore the area on your own.

A good place to start is the Ulanqab Museum, home to an extensive collection of artifacts highlighting the region's historical evolution. Peruse the exhibits featuring ancient Mongolian relics, traditional costumes, and intricate artwork showcasing the nomadic lifestyle and spiritual practices of the Mongol people. Once you've worked up an appetite, head to a local restaurant to indulge in Mongolian dishes, like mutton hotpot, buuz (steamed dumplings filled with minced meat), or lagman (hand-pulled noodles served with meat and vegetables or in a savory broth).

Day 6: Discover the Huitengxile Grassland, Stay in a Mongolian Yurt

Leave the city behind this morning as you set off on a nearly two-hour transfer to the Huitengxile Grassland, which means the "Cold Plateau" in Mongolian, as this is one of the world's three largest alpine meadows. When you arrive, look out at the rugged hills and expansive grasslands dotted with wind turbines, traditional yurts, and grazing herds of horses, sheep, and cattle. If you visit during the blooming season (late April to early May), you can discover the enchanting Huanghuagou (Yellow Flower Valley).

Enjoy views of the bright yellow rapeseed flowers surrounded by towering cliffs, then spend the afternoon with the locals. Witness awe-inspiring displays of Mongolian archery and wrestling, and listen to melodious tunes while you watch the locals perform traditional dances. Enjoy a delicious dinner and bonfire party, then settle into your traditional Mongolian yurt for the night.

Day 7: Explore the Wulanhada Volcano Geopark, Scenic Horseback Ride

After breakfast, join your guide on an excursion to Wulanhada Volcano Geopark, home to a series of extinct volcanoes, craters, and lava fields that create an otherworldly environment. Hike along the volcanic formations, marveling at the well-preserved craters while you learn about the region's geological history. Climb to the summit of a crater and look at the volcanic ash and basalt formations while trying to imagine the lava that used to flow here. Return to the Huitengxile Grassland in the afternoon for a scenic horseback ride among the rolling plains and wildflowers before returning to your yurt.

Day 8: Transfer to Hohhot, Summit Daqing Mountain

Trade the lush grasslands for bustling city streets as you transfer two hours to Hohhot this morning, the vibrant capital of Inner Mongolia. When you arrive, check in at your hotel and prepare for a 9.3-mile (15 km) trek up Daqing Mountain. Lace up your hiking boots and follow your guide through the lush forest, where towering pines and deciduous trees create a canopy overhead. Pass serene streams, waterfalls, and meadows dotted with vibrant wildflowers in the warmer months, adding bursts of color to the landscape. 

After 3-4 hours, you'll reach the summit, where you can enjoy a much-deserved break and take in views of the rolling hills, untouched forests, and distant villages. When you're ready, start the descent, then return to the city for dinner. Make your own way to a local restaurant to try traditional dishes, like local buns stuffed with lamb, beef, or vegetables. Wash everything down with suutei tsai, a traditional Mongolian drink made with brewed tea, milk, and a pinch of salt, before returning to your hotel. 

Day 9: Discover Monishan, Transfer to Baotou, Visit Badakar Monastery

Start your day in Monishan, a charming town dedicated to preserving and showcasing the region's intangible cultural heritage, including traditional crafts, music, dance, and culinary arts. Wander through the picturesque streets and watch the skilled artisans at work. Participate in the age-old tradition of Horinger paper cutting, which involves using small scissors or knives to cut and carve paper into detailed and delicate patterns. The final product is then used in home or festival decorations, so you can create your own decor to take home. 

Then, bid farewell to Hohhot as you transfer 1.5 hours to Baotou, the largest and most populated city in Inner Mongolia. When you arrive, hit the ground running with a visit to Badakar Monastery, the largest Tibetan Buddhist temple in the region. Wander through the grand halls and courtyards to see the ornate buildings adorned with vibrant colors and traditional Tibetan motifs. The monastery's elevated position on the Mongolian plains also offers panoramic views of the expansive grasslands and distant mountain ranges that you can't miss. 

Day 10: Transfer to the Kubuqi Desert, Off-Road Adventure

After a restful night in Baotou, leave the city behind as you transfer one hour to the Kubuqi Desert within the larger Ordos Desert region. When you arrive, you'll be greeted by pristine sand dunes that stretch as far as the eye can see, punctuated by lush oases and vibrant patches of greenery. Switch to an off-road vehicle to traverse the dunes, where every twist and turn reveals new views of the desert vistas.

Stop at Yemingsha, known as the "Singing Sands" for the distinct humming or whistling sound they make when the wind blows across the dunes or when someone slides down the slopes, especially at night. Try to produce the sound by sliding down the dunes yourself, feeling the warm golden sand shift beneath you. Then, set off on a camel ride into the depths of the desert while the sun slowly sets. Watch as the sky transforms and casts the dunes in a golden glow. When darkness starts to fall, head to your camp to savor a delicious barbecue dinner under the starry sky.

Day 11: Transfer to Ordos, City Tour with the Mausoleum of Genghis Khan

Your penultimate day in China takes you on a 2.5-hour transfer to Ordos, one of Inner Mongolia's most ambitious and rapidly evolving cities. When you arrive, set off on a city tour, starting in the Kangbashi District. Once deemed China's largest ghost city, the district has now transformed into a thriving metropolis that blends futuristic vision with functional living. Wander through the sprawling district to admire the modern architecture, including sleek skyscrapers, well-planned green spaces, public art installations, and cultural landmarks like the Ordos Museum.

Then, visit the Mausoleum of Genghis Khan, situated near the sacred Burkan Khaldun Mountain. The impressive complex is a tribute to one of history's most legendary conquerors and unifiers. Marvel at the intricate carvings and statues outside, then head in to peruse the exhibits that delve into his conquests and governments. Before returning to the city, enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, with its rolling hills and expansive vistas.

Day 12: Depart Ordos

As it's your final day in China, consider waking up early to explore more of the city on your own before your flight home. You could take a leisurely stroll to admire the city's modern architecture or head to the Ordos Museum for a deeper look at the region's heritage. Peruse the range of exhibits showcasing everything from prehistoric relics to contemporary pieces, like traditional Mongolian clothing, modern artwork, and ancient stone carvings. When it's time, return to the hotel to meet your driver and transfer to the airport for your flight home. Safe travels!

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