8 Days Inner Mongolia Cultural Tour with Hiking & Camping

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arrival in Hohhot

   Welcome to the capital city of Inner Mongolia - Hohhot to join an amazing 8-day China culture tour. Upon your arrival at Hohhot Baita International Airport, your driver will meet you at the exit of the Arrival Hall with a welcome sign. You will then be escorted to your well-selected hotel.

   The rest of the day is left for you to explore this city on your own. Feel free to ask your 1-to-1 travel consultant for practical advice and recommendations.

   Accommodation: in Hohhot

2. Day 2: Hohhot to Ulanqab Tour
   Hike Yellow Flower Valley and Enjoy Mongolian Performances

   After breakfast, meet your guide in the hotel lobby and drive for 2 hours to Huitengxile Grassland, a typical alpine meadow grassland (at an altitude of 2100 meters). After arrival, you will have a morning hike in Huanghuagou, Yellow Flower Valley. This winding valley is located at the western end of the Huitengxile Grassland, stretching over 10 kilometers and about 300 meters deep. There are many landscapes here - rocks of different shapes, murmuring streams, dense grasslands, yellow flowers everywhere, pine forests...

   

   In the afternoon, learn about Mongolian culture and traditions by appreciating characteristic Mongolian song and dance performances. You will also see exciting wrestling performances. When night falls, participate in the traditional bonfire party. People gather around the crackling bonfire, sharing their stories and tasting local cuisine. You will spend the night in a comfortable yurt tonight. Experience the unique way of life of nomadic peoples.

   Accommodation: in Yurt

3. Day 3: Ulanqab Back to Huitengxile Tour
   Marvel at the Amazing Volcano at Crater 3 and Experience Horse Riding

   After breakfast on the grassland, you will be transferred to visit the Wulanhada Volcano Geopark, which is a product of Quaternary volcanoes. There are more than 20 volcanoes in the park, which are the only volcanoes that have erupted in the Holocene (10,000 years ago) found in the southern edge of the the Inner Mongolian.

   After arrival, you will hike up to the top of crater 3 and enjoy the surrounding scenery. Volcano 5 will display different colors in different seasons. It was on the cover of China National Geographic magazine in December 2015.

   In the afternoon, return to Huitengxile Grassland to experience horseback riding. If it's your first time riding a horse, don't worry, there will be a horseman holding your horse to ensure safety.

   Accommodation: in Yurt

   

4. Day 4: Huitengxile to Hohhot Tour
   Witness the Sunrise over Grassland and Explore Inner Mongolian History

   Today you need to wake up early to enjoy the magnificent grassland sunrise. After breakfast, drive for about 2 hours to Daqing Mountain. This is a hidden hiking paradise with diverse natural scenery, including grasslands, birch forests, stone forests, and rift valleys.

   Tie up your hiking boots and embark on a 5-hour hiking trip! In the verdant valley, you will pass through dense forests, follow peaceful streams, and cross pastures (perhaps you will encounter local herdsmen).

   Special reminder: There is no water source or food supply along the way, please bring your own in advance.

   

   After the hike, return to Hohhot city to visit Inner Mongolia Museum. The museum's exhibition hall building is chic and very ethnic. The roof of the building is shaped with a horse running, symbolizing the auspiciousness of Inner Mongolia and soaring.

   The museum has four floors. On the second floor, you can learn about the ecological environment of Inner Mongolia in ancient times. The huge fossilized skeletons of some prehistoric animals will surely take your breath away. The display on the third floor is the highlight of the whole museum, boasting the only Xiongnu gold crown jewelry in China. On the fourth floor of the museum, you can get a clear picture of Mongolian costumes, songs and dances, and saddle culture.

   Accommodation: in Hohhot

5. Day 5: Hohhot to Baotou Tour
   Understand Intangible Cultural Heritage, Visit Famous Tibetan Buddhist Temple

   Today, you will be led to Monishan Intangible Heritage Town. The town aims to inherit intangible cultural heritage and has exhibition windows such as the Intangible Cultural Heritage Art Museum and the Intangible Cultural Heritage Active Learning Hall. There are also facilities such as hiking trails, natural zoos, and camps here, which are very suitable for family outings and cultural exploration.

   In the afternoon, head to the nearby city of Baotou to visit the famous Wudangzhao Lamasery. This is a Tibetan Buddhist temple with over 2,500 halls, scripture halls, and monk houses. It is a white building built along a hill, which looks quite spectacular from a distance. Your tour guide will take you to explore the halls and prayer rooms, and learn about the construction history of this temple. After the visit, transfer you to the hotel in Baotou.

   Accommodation: in Baotou

   

6. Day 6: Baotou to Kubuqi Tour
   Enjoy Fun Desert Activities and Camping Under Starry Sky

   Today you will embark on a desert adventure. Kubuqi is the seventh largest desert in China, with a total area of approximately 13,900 square kilometers. The sand dunes are 10 to 60 meters high, like a yellow dragon lying in the northern part of the Ordos Plateau. After arriving at the scenic area, hop on an off-road vehicle and venture deep into the undulating sand dunes. Feel the pleasure as you drift on the golden sand.

   Yemingsha is a popular place in the Kubuqi Desert. You can experience riding a camel there. As the sun gradually sets westward, find a comfortable place to enjoy the charming desert sunset. In the evening, enjoy a barbecue dinner. As night falls, camp in the desert. Lying down and admiring the starry sky, this is a rare sight in urban areas.

   Accommodation: Desert Camping

   

7. Day 7: Kubuqi to Ordos Tour
   Appreciate the Desert Sunrise, Learn about Genghis Khan's Great Achievements

   Wake up early and capture the sunrise on the desert. After breakfast, drive 2.5 hours to Ordos. You will be guided to explore Kangbashi District, the center of the city, which can date back to the Xia Dynasty (2070-1600 BC). You will see many modern buildings such as Ordos International Convention and Exhibition Center and Sun Square. You will be introduced the stories behind them

   Continue your Inner Mongolia tour to the Mausoleum of Genghis Khan, located 40 kilometers from the city center of Ordos. Genghis Khan established the Great Mongol Empire and was an outstanding military strategist and politician in world. Visit the exhibition hall to learn about ancient and mysterious rituals and the development and changes of the tomb. You can also see some exhibits and cultural relics related to Genghis Khan and the Mongol Empire. After the visit, check in at the hotel in Ordos city.

   Accommodation: in Ordos

   

8. Day 8: Departure from Ordos

   It is time to say good bye to our 8 days China tour in Inner Mongolia. Later, your driver will escort you to take a flight to your next destination or home. If you want to extend your China tour to other cities, we would be happy to arrange it for you.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: N/A