China & Mongolia Railway Adventure

Ni Hao! Welcome to China. Your adventure begins in Shanghai with a welcome meeting at 4 pm. If you arrive early, there is much to see and do in this bustling city. Blending 21st-century architecture with old-world character, Shanghai pulses with the beat of new China.

After your meeting, you’ll head out for a leader-led walking tour on the bund – the perfect spot to see the nighttime skyline light up when the sun descends.

Tonight, why not get a taste of Shanghai’s eclectic food scene, grab your group and ask your leader for the best recommendations for dinner.

Get ready for your first bullet train experience this morning. A half-hour train ride will take you to Wuxi – once a prominent water town and now a booming city. Follow your leader on a walking tour through the Huishan Ancient Town Scenic Area and explore the cultural relics, historic sites and Xihui scenic area full of gorgeous gardens. Wander through the Huishan historic and cultural streets almost like travelling back in time.

Take some epic snaps, learn about the traditional life here and then visit the Jichang Garden – one of the finest examples of traditional Chinese gardens, listed as a protected national heritage site in 1998. Head back to Shanghai in the afternoon. The evening is yours to enjoy at your own pace – why not grab a drink in one of the rooftop bars in Shanghai and look out over the bund.

Hop on the bullet train to Xi’an this morning – the capital of Shaanxi Province and the largest city in northwest China. Once the imperial centre and start of the Silk Road, Xi'an is now a vibrant, modern city dotted with many historical sites and a great place to explore. When you arrive, join your leader on a walking tour, passing the iconic Bell and Drum Towers – according to legend, the Bell Tower was built to restrain the pesky dragons that were causing devastating earthquakes. See the Muslim Quarter and wander past the shops, markets, and the Great Mosque. Sample some street snacks from local carts and see why this area is known for its food! For dinner tonight, maybe try some tantalising local specialties such as pao mo (lamb broth with flat bread), hand-pulled noodles and meat skewers.

Today, you’ll journey outside Xi’an and visit what is undoubtedly one of the man-made wonders of the world – the Terracotta Warriors. Learn about this incredible archaeological find, discovered after being buried for 2000 years, and take your time getting to know the 1000 warriors (each individually sculpted, with a different costume, height and facial expression). These clay statues depicting soldiers, horses and chariots were commissioned by the emperor Qin Shi Huangdi as part of his mausoleum after he ascended to the throne in 264 BC.

Later, return to Xi’an and enjoy a free evening at leisure. Why not head to the Tang Paradise walking street near the Big Wild Goose Pagoda – this is an eclectic part of the city, full of light and sound and perfect for some local nightlife.

Today is a big day of travelling, so grab some snacks and a good book for the journey. You’ll transfer to the railway station, then board the high-speed train to Beijing. Watch the landscape change from farmland and villages to industrialised cities and take the opportunity to get to know your fellow travellers along the way. When you arrive in Beijing, board a private vehicle and drive into the countryside, where you’ll spend the night in a family-run guesthouse right inside the scenic area near the Great Wall of China! Tonight it’s highly recommended that you go for a short hike to the Wall for an unforgettable sunset. You’ve made it to one of the Seven Wonders of the World!

Today is an exciting day as you’ll visit a section of the Great Wall of China – an ancient wonder of the world and this country’s iconic site. Spend some time exploring, take plenty of photos and learn the history of this mighty landmark. An incredible piece of engineering, the wall stretches 6000 km west of Beijing. It was initially constructed to protect Chinese empires from invaders from the north. Even though it failed, it's still one of the country's most remarkable achievements and an iconic destination.

Hike along the top of the Wall for about 2 hours, along a section less visited by tourists and one of the most original section of the Wall - don't be surprised if you even feel you are the only ones on the Wall. Take in the scenery of the structure snaking through the hills almost endlessly into the distance. After, say goodbye to the epic site and head for Beijing – the capital and last stop of your trip.

Make your way to the centre of Beijing this morning and explore Tiananmen Square – supposedly the largest downtown square in the world and the symbolic centre of Chinese power. Framed by the Gate of Heavenly Peace, Mao's Mausoleum and the Great Hall of the People, it's a place of pilgrimage for Chinese tourists who consider it to be the heart of their nation. It's from here that you'll enter the enormous Forbidden City, which was built more than 500 years ago and has been off-limits to commoners for almost all that time. You’ll explore the halls and courtyards and witness the grandeur of the Imperial Chinese court during the Ming and Qing dynasties.

In the afternoon, enjoy some free time to explore on your own. Maybe check out the Temple of Heaven before getting together with your fellow travellers for a farewell dinner. There's no better way to celebrate the end of your journey than with a meal of Beijing duck (and maybe a drink or two).

Today is a free day until your next welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight, where you’ll meet your new travel companions joining you. After, why not get your group together for an optional dinner to get to know each other, maybe finding one of the best Beijing duck restaurants in the city. Your leader will know all the best spots to try this delicious speciality!

Bid farewell to Beijing and hop on a bullet train to Chengde where you'll change to a private transfer. Travel into the grasslands of Ulan Butong and visit the reindeer camp of the Ewenki people – an ethnic group of about 35,000 living in northern China. Learn about their life as reindeer herders and how modern life has impacted their way of living. Then, continue to your hotel in Ulan Butong, where a Mongolian barbecue dinner and evening bonfire party await.

Rise in Ulan Butong, then head out to the Huanggangliang National Forest Park, located in the remnants of the Greater Xing’an Mountains – home to Huanggang Peak, standing at an altitude of 2029 m (6657 ft). There are glacial and U-shaped valleys to explore, and you’ll pass by abundant flowers and endless grasslands. After lunch, you’ll visit Asihatu Stone Forest – over 2 million years of wind and rain have contributed to create the rare stone formations! To finish the day, see the Gongge'er Grasslands, with its vast rivers lazily weaving through the landscape and wild deer roaming. If you’re into your photography, this is the place to be!

This morning, drive to Hunshandake Sandy Land at the southern end of the Xilingol Grassland – a famous water desert in China where spring water emerges from the sand dunes and gathers into small rivers and lakes. In the heart of the Hunshandake, you’ll visit the Ulihan Desert Campsite. The lakes and grasslands provide a scenic backdrop for your barbecue lunch. After, you’ll visit Dali Lake, one of the four famous lakes in Inner Mongolia, then head to Xilinhot for the night.

Get set for a day of travel. After breakfast, drive from Xilinhot to Erlian, arriving around midday. Stop for lunch and meet your new leader for the Mongolian portion of your journey, then head to the train station in the late afternoon and hop aboard the Trans-Mongolian Railway line headed to Sainshand. Stop in Zamiin-Uud along the way for a border crossing. Arrive after midnight and head straight to your hotel in Sainshand for some well-deserved rest.

Take in the sights and sounds of Sainshand on a walking tour this morning. Visit a museum dedicated to the Noyon Khutagt – the Lama of the Gobi, who was a writer, composer, painter, Buddhist scholar and physician. The museum displays Buddhist artifacts that survived the period of the Mongolian People's Republic. After, take a short drive to the Khamriin Monastery, which was founded by Noyon Khutagt on this site due to the spiritual energy radiating from the Gobi Desert. To the north of the monastery lie a series of caves where monks practiced high levels of meditation for 108 continuous days. Take a short hike around the area to visit these caves, as well as the energy centre known as Mongolian Shambala. Return to Sainshand, then spend the evening as you like!

After breakfast, drive to the Mountain of Wishes – named for the belief that if you climb to the top and whisper a wish, it’ll come true. You’ll get the chance to do exactly that, using the stairs to enjoy the view over the valley and making a wish or two. Then, get an insight into local ways of life as you visit a family of camel herders. Hear stories about the nomadic way of life over a traditional, homecooked lunch with the family.

Later, return to Sainshand, then board an overnight train headed to Ulaanbaatar.

Arrive in Mongolia’s capital city around 7 am this morning and get set for the day with an optional breakfast at a local cafe. Ulaanbaatar’s a fascinating town, where elderly Mongolians in traditional dress mingle with the nation's young businesspeople. Drive to the imposing Chinggis Khaan Statue – a 40 m (131 ft) stainless-steel statue honouring the founder of the Mongolian Empire. You can take the steps to the horse’s mane for views over the valley, then visit a small museum located in the statue’s base.

For lunch, drive to Nalaikh town for a meal at a monastery cafe, then continue to Khustai National Park. Settle into your ger camp accommodation for a very special slice of traditional life!

After breakfast at camp, embark on a hike to see the wildlife of the national park. Keep an eye out for wild horses running free – quite a sight to behold – and watch the sky for golden eagles, falcons and vultures. Once you’ve finished your trail, drive on to the Ungut Monument. The collection of 30 human-shaped stone monuments traces back to the 7th century and is thought to be an offering site. Then, drive back to your camp at Khustai National Park for a free evening.

Drive back to Ulaanbaatar this morning. Your leader will take you on an orientation walk through the city’s central square, then you’ll stop for an optional lunch at a local cafe.

In the afternoon, there might be the chance to shop for some local handicrafts like cashmere and felt products, or you could check out some more of the city's sites and museums.

Tonight you might like to celebrate your journey with a special cultural performance that features throat singing and traditional dancing. There will be an optional final dinner at a local restaurant recommended by your leader tonight. Why not raise a glass to an epic adventure!

Say 'bayartai' to your group as your adventure draws to a close. There are no activities planned for the day, and you're free to depart the hotel at any time. If you'd like to stay longer in Ulaanbaatar, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.